May 20th Newsletter

May 20, 2022
I hope you and your family are healthy and safe. We are constantly working to provide updates and important news as it develops over social media and by email. This is a recap of some recent highlights.

For more information about the state's response efforts visit ct.gov/coronavirus. To receive text message notifications, sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system. To subscribe, text "COVIDCT" to 888-777.

 

Recognizing New Funding Obtained for Manchester High School's Manufacturing Program

We had an incredible and proud day at Manchester High School last week to recognize the $390,000 in state bond financing we recently received to expand the advanced manufacturing and pre-apprenticeship programs at MHS.

This funding will provide an amazing opportunity for our students to build their skills in these high demand and high paying trades and will increase our investment in our workforce and manufacturing industry. We spent about 3 years working on this initiative and it is so exciting to see it come to fruition. Thanks to Governor Lamont, Lt. Governor Bysiewicz Paul Lavoie (the State's Chief Manufacturing Officer) and all the other state, town, school officials, employers and students who came out to visit and who played a part in making this happen.

Read more by CLICKING HERE.

 

Child Tax Payments Applications Open June 1

Applications for the Child Tax Payments that was included as part of a historic $600 million in tax cuts in our 2022 state budget will open June 1, 2022.
 
Any Connecticut resident who claimed at least one dependent child under the age of 18 on their 2021 federal income tax return may be eligible to receive a maximum payment of $250 per child (for up to three children) with the following income guidelines (higher incomes may be eligible for a reduced rebate):
Anyone who is interested in seeking a payment must apply to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services with applications closing on July 31, 2022 - recipients will receive funds beginning in late August.
 
Information on the 2022 CT Child Tax Payments
The Department of Revenue Services is in the process of reaching out to eligible households and I encourage you to share this information with any parents that may qualify.
 

Investing in a Cleaner Environment

Prior to the start of the 2022 legislative session, House Democrats pledged to support policies and bills that would help cut our carbon footprint, increase our reliance on clean energy sources, and protect the health of Connecticut residents.

I'm happy to report that two of these bills - S.B. 10 and S.B. 176 - have officially been signed into law!

S.B. 10, AN ACT CONCERNING CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION requires Connecticut to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions produced by the state's electric grid by January 1, 2040. After the transportation sector, our electric grid (essentially, how energy is supplied and consumed) is the second highest emitter of greenhouse gasses in the state. This law seeks to change that by setting giving utility companies and suppliers the necessary push to find cleaner, zero-carbon ways to provide consumers with energy.

S.B. 176, AN ACT CONCERNING CLEAN ENERGY TARIFF PROGRAMS looks to increase commercial reliance on rooftop solar energy by modifying existing energy caps involving shared clean energy facilities and expanding the Non-Residential Energy Solutions (NRES) and the Shared Cleaner Energy Facilities (SCEF) programs.

While more remains to be done, these new laws represent significant steps forward for Connecticut in increasing our reliance on clean energy sources and protecting our environment for ourselves and for future generations.

 

Baby Formula Shortage and Available Resources

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is utilizing numerous options to assist families across the state access baby formula during the nationwide shortage. 

The formula shortage started last fall due to supply chain issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. It was exacerbated in February when Abbott recalled powdered formula manufactured in its Michigan plant and temporarily shuttered it. 

Abbott is allowing the Connecticut WIC program to offer 80 comparable formulas while the company’s products are not available.  

DPH has been working closely with local agency staff to help families find retailers that have in-stock formula, or even switch the participant's benefits package when needed. DPH also has been working directly with manufacturers to order emergency formula. 

While WIC encourages breastfeeding for at least the first year of life, only about one-third of Connecticut infants are breastfed.

Other suggestions and resources include:

  • Check smaller stores or pharmacies for availability. During the formula shortage, it may help to visit stores more frequently and buy formula as it becomes available
  • If you can afford it, buy formula online until store availability improves. Purchase from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies. 
  • Use caution when purchasing formula from individual or private sellers. You can report price gouging and scams to the CT Office of the Attorney General, HERE, or to local police.
  • Check social media groups that are dedicated to infant feeding and formula. Members may have ideas on where to find formula. Always check with your pediatrician regarding any provided advice
  • It is unsafe to add more water to formula, make homemade infant formula, or use regular cow’s milk, or other milk substitutes to feed infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding infants iron-fortified infant formula during the first year of life when breastmilk is unavailable
  • WIC families can contact their local WIC office with questions. If you are unable to reach your local WIC office by phone you can send an email. Find local WIC office phone numbers and emails by clicking HERE. You can also reach out to ctwic@ct.gov or 1-800-741-2142 for assistance 
  • Call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org to locate community organizations that provide emergency formula
  • Connecticut participates with Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast, which sends most of its donated breast milk to neonatal care units across the state. It’s also available for purchase. Please visit milkbankne.org/receive to learn about it
  • The US Department of Health & Human Services has additional resources for families to use. Click HERE for more information.

While these resources will not solve the formula shortage, I hope they’ll be helpful during these challenging times.

If you have any additional questions or are struggling to find formula, please reach out to my office for help.

 

$875 Million Community Investment Fund

Last year, I voted for the future of our communities by establishing the $875 million Community Investment Fund (CIF). This is a transformational opportunity to invest in underserved communities in Connecticut through economic development and small business, education, and infrastructure projects.
 
The CIF allows $175 million per year for the next five years in bonding, with the option to renew the program for an additional five years. This funding will be directed to projects proposed by eligible municipalities, community development corporations, or nonprofit organizations.
 
Manchester is an eligible municipality and could receive grants available through the CIF for:
  • Capital Improvement Programs: brownfield remediation, affordable housing, infrastructure, clean energy development, and home or public facility rehabilitation
  • Small Business Capital Programs: revolving or micro loan programs, gap financing, and start-up funds to establish small businesses

Applications for the fund have not yet been posted on the CIF website, but are anticipated to be by the end of the month. In the meantime, the Department of Economic & Community Development is hosting an informational webinar on June 1 from 11AM – 12PM. If you have any questions about the CIF, this will be a great opportunity to ask them.
 

I am proud to see our community recognized with the investments that can be made through the CIF. A special thank you to the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus leadership and the Speaker of the House Representative Matthew Ritter for all their hard work to create this fund.
 

Armed Forces Day 2022

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country. This year, we celebrate that holiday tomorrow (May 21st).

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense.