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| Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of January 31.
If you prefer to watch rather than read, click the image below to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter. |
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| As promised in the video, here’s a link to an excellent article on this year’s budget by my colleague Senator Osten (Co-chair of the Appropriations Committee) - Sen. Osten (opinion): 3 things to know about CT's budget. |
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Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Governor Lamont And Commissioner Russell-Tucker Announce Guidance Document Issued To K-12 Schools on The Protection Of Students In The Classroom Pertaining To Immigration Enforcement Activities. Click here.
- Food Waste Program Update. Click here.
- ICYMI - New Matching Funds Grant Program Supporting CT Communities Pursuing FEMA Funds. Click here.
- Events in the Northwest Corner. Click here.
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Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker announced that the Connecticut State Department of Education has issued a guidance document to every K-12 public school district in Connecticut in response to questions regarding the impact that recent changes in policy guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pertaining to immigration enforcement activities may have on school operations, student privacy, and the safeguarding of students while in school.
Both Connecticut and federal law protect a student’s right to attend public school, regardless of their immigration status. This guidance is intended to provide school districts and their governing bodies with an overview of state and federal laws pertaining to student rights and the responsibilities of school districts, and assure districts, students, and families that Connecticut is welcoming to all students. It is also intended to provide districts with a framework for the development of policies and procedures that protect student rights, consistent with state and federal laws.
**Download: Guidance document to K-12 public school districts regarding immigration enforcement activities |
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With around 450 households in the Food Waste Program, the amount of food waste diverted from the Transfer Station’s garbage hopper has steadily increased. At some point soon, we will reach the goal of making a dent in the cost of garbage disposal. Currently Salisbury and Sharon’s garbage (a.k.a. solid waste) is being trucked to Torrington, then transferred to another truck heading to a landfill in Pennsylvania.
Here is the most recent one-year-rolling environmental impact report from our hauler, Curbside Compost:
From August 2023 to August 2024
- 75,200 lbs. of food scraps recovered from the waste stream which, according to the EPA, is the equivalent of avoiding
- 45,872 lbs. of CO2, which is the equivalent of
- 52,294 miles of driving
Unfortunately, since Natural Upcycling merged with Curbside Compost, the environmental impact report is no longer being sent along with the monthly statement. Brian Bartram, the Transfer Station Manager, can certainly help make a reasonable estimate, based on the number of toters collected. I’ll pass along his estimates in future updates.
TRANSFER STATION DROP-OFF SITE REMINDERS
- Use only BPI certified biodegradable bags for your food waste. NO PLASTIC BAGS!
- Fill toters to the top with your food waste bags before starting a new one.
- Notify staff if there is no room in the toters. Empty toters are stored nearby, but in an area restricted to residents.
NOTE: There may be some changes in the coming year as we look to keep the management of food waste as local as possible – for instance, acquiring a truck to collect and haul food waste from the Transfer Station and from interested local businesses to a closer commercial composting facility. A subsequent change could be the elimination of the biobag. |
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| DEEP is accepting applications for a new matching funds grant program to support Connecticut communities pursuing funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. This new matching grants program is a component of the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund, which helps communities invest in projects that address vulnerabilities to extreme weather and reduce impacts to critical infrastructure.
DEEP’s Matching Funds for FEMA, BRIC program is open to municipal governments, local public utilities, federally recognized Tribal nations, and other entities eligible for FEMA BRIC funding. DEEP will award between one and three quarters of a project’s non-federal match requirements, with larger awards going to projects that benefit environmental justice communities and incorporate nature-based solutions.
Applications are due by midnight on March 3, 2025. Additional details on review criteria and how to apply can be found in the Request for Proposals on the webpage for the DEEP Climate Resilience Fund.
DEEP will hold two office hours to give applicants opportunities to ask questions:
• Wednesday, January 29 from 12pm-1pm (Registration Link)
• Tuesday, February 18 from 2pm-3pm (Registration Link)
For questions about this program, please email DEEP.climateresilience@ct.gov. |
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The Congregational Church of Salisbury will present its monthly First Friday Music in the Meeting House on Friday, February 7 at 12:00p.m. at 30 Main Street, Salisbury. The Meeting House will open at 11:45 a.m.
This month’s program, David Baranowski will play a varied program of piano works, including Beethoven’s beloved Piano Sonata “Moonlight” No.14 in C-sharp minor Op. 27, No. 2 (Sonata quasi una Fantasia).
Free to the public, Music Director David Baranowski’s musical gift provides a time of reflection surrounded by inspiring, soul-nourishing classical repertory. |
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REVOLUTIONARY RENAISSANCE - Motets, Madrigals, and Canzonas by Groundbreaking Composers of the 16th Century
Concerts on March 1 & 2, 2025 in Lakeville, CT and Great Barrington, MA - Information and Tickets: www.crescendomusic.org
Dedicated to bring to our audience jewels of the minorities in musical life, this concert program features underperformed repertoire of the Renaissance. |
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| The Albert Rivera Quartet will play two shows at the Palace Theater's Poli Club on Friday, February 14. The first show will begin and 7 PM and the second will begin at 9 PM.
Click here to learn more. |
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| Football Watch Party
Kick off game day with food, fun, and football frenzy! The Judy Black Memorial Park & Gardens is hosting the ultimate Football Watch Party.
Attendees will be able to watch the biggest game of the year on three jumbo screens in the park. Plus, the Meraki food truck will be rolling in with a menu full of FREE game day fare, sponsored by Barbara Bouyea of Bouyea & Associates. Click here for more information. |
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| It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.
Click here to forward to forward this email to a friend. |
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| Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative |
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