2/26/21 Newsletter

concord
February 26, 2021
On Wednesday, The CT State House passed legislation ensuring no Fairfield resident will be subject to double taxation because their employer is in NY or MA and they worked remotely during the pandemic. H.B. 6516 addresses several tax- and economic-related issues for Connecticut residents. The bill prevents Connecticut residents, who normally commute to neighboring states for work, from being double-taxed in 2020 as they've had to work remotely during the pandemic. I know that this year has been hugely stressful for many families in Fairfield and I eagerly cast my vote in favor of H.B. 6516 to ensure that those families were not hit with an additional financial burden. I am very pleased to help deliver this solution for our community where this is a common work arrangement. 
 
Additionally, H.B. 6516 ensures that relief to towns struggling with loss of revenue from COVID will be based on equity and not politics. I am proud to support the PILOT changes because in this time of economic insecurity and revenue loss from COVID-19, this action reflects our state’s commitment to providing relief to our communities. These funds will help relieve the burden of local property taxes on our residents. In this time of economic insecurity and revenue loss from COVID-19, this PILOT reform reflects our state’s commitment to providing relief to our communities.
 
Finally, H.B. 6516 also proposes to eliminate the use of welfare liens, also known as the "poverty tax." This archaic piece of legislation forces recipients of public assistance programs to pay the state back for the aid they once received. This “poverty tax” sadly, only works to keep people – trying to better their lives – in a cycle of inevitable poverty. In addition to H.B. 6516, the House of Representatives passed H.B. 6515 and H.B. 6514.
 
H.B. 6515, prohibits employers from discriminating against workers for hairstyles that are historically associated with race and extends the statutory protections to hair texture and protective styles.
 
H.B. No. 6514, brings much-needed economic development through the creation of construction jobs and permanent jobs in the data industry. Additionally, it creates a path for an entirely new industry in Connecticut today and strategically positions our state to attract new companies.
VACCINE UPDATE
The Governor announced Monday that Connecticut will be relying on an age-based approach in expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure our state stays on track in administering the vaccine in an efficient and equitable way to the greatest number of residents as quickly as possible.
 
Age has proven to be one of the strongest factors contributing to COVID-19 deaths, with 96% of COVID-19 deaths in Connecticut occurring in people over the age of 55.
 
The Governor also announced that educators and childcare providers will be eligible to receive the vaccine at dedicated clinics beginning March 1. They will receive information soon from their school administrators and employers on when their dedicated clinics will be provided.

Over the last month, I worked with my colleagues to advocate on behalf of teachers and all our education professionals so that they would be included as soon as possible in the vaccination schedule. While I wish that it had happened sooner, I am grateful that dedicated sites will be part of the process.

This week the Superintendent, Mike Cummings, announced the full return to in-person school to begin March 8 for pre-k to 5th grade and on March 9 for grades 6-12. I know this news is a very welcome announcement for many Fairfield families. 
 
All eligible individuals in Connecticut are required to make an appointment in advance of receiving the vaccine. Residents aged 55 to 64 should not attempt to make an appointment now – they will not be able to schedule an appointment until the vaccine rollout expands to their age group on March 1.
 
Please note that while the age-based eligibility system does simplify some things, I recognize that this change is not welcome news to all. It is my hope that this system will allow for the process and logistics to be streamlined so that more residents can be vaccinated faster. 
 
To locate vaccination clinics, individuals should visit ct.gov/covidvaccine and enter their zip code. From there, users will be shown the nearest available clinics and provided with specific directions on how to make an appointment at each one, including over the internet and over the telephone.
 
Those who do not have access to the internet can call Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224. The line is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
I look forward to a majority of Connecticut residents being vaccinated in the coming months. 
 
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS- LEGISLATIVE FORUM 
Thank you to the Fairfield League of Women Voters and the Fairfield Museum and History Center for hosting a virtual legislative forum with Fairfield's state delegation. This year has been so unusual and communicating directly with the people of Fairfield has never been more challenging. This forum was an excellent opportunity to answer questions that have been raised by the community. I hope you will take a little time to watch it and let me know if you have any other questions that were not addressed here.
League of Women Forum
 
OFFICE HOURS WITH REP. LEEPER
Have a question or concern you would like to discuss? Please sign up for my office hours so we can have a conversation.
 
Click here to sign up!
 
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HEALTH CARE PUBLIC OPTION ROUNDTABLE
On Tuesday, I joined State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, Senator Will Haskell, Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey, and Rep. Anne Hughes for a round table discussion on a proposal to expand affordable, high-quality healthcare to small businesses and non-profits. During this session, Comptroller Lembo answers many questions and I look forward to hearing your feedback on this proposal.
 
Click here to watch the discussion.
 
 
PAYMENT PROTECTION PROGRAM UPDATE
In an effort to help small businesses across the country receive additional financial assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) introduced new reforms and guidelines to the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). According to the following news release from the SBA, the agency will: 
  • Establish a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees. This exclusive window opened yesterday, Wednesday, February 24th.
  • Allow sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants

For updated PPP information, including forms, guidance, and resources, visit www.sba.gov/ppp and www.treasury.gov/cares.
 
 
CONCORDIUM
See below for the Concordium Elderly Outreach Program.