October 6th Newsletter

October 6, 2023


 
Dear Friends,

It's officially autumn and since time seems to be flying by, let me catch you up on some of the happenings at the State Capitol and in the 13th District.

Thanks for taking the time to read them!
 
Special Session Recap

There was a special session of the Connecticut General Assembly as the House of Representatives and Senate convened on September 26. We confirmed Nora Dannehy to the Connecticut Supreme Court and voted to move the state's presidential primary up by four weeks to the first Tuesday in April.

This decision to move the primary was made after carefully considering the benefits it would bring to Connecticut voters. By advancing the primary date, we aim to increase our influence in the national political landscape and encourage more candidates to visit us during the 2024 campaign season.  
The bipartisan support for this important bill serves as a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to upholding democracy and ensuring that every single voice has a meaningful opportunity to be heard and valued.

As we move forward, I encourage you to stay informed about the upcoming presidential primary and actively participate in the democratic process. Your vote matters and you deserve to be heard. 

I also attended an important meeting with my colleagues regarding the status of the ECHN/Yale merger, which I will keep you informed of the progress.
 
Honoring CT State Manchester
I joined state and local officials plus alumni and community members on September 28 to recognize CT State Manchester’s naming by WalletHub, a nationwide personal finance company, as the best community college in Connecticut, and the eighth in the U.S. The success of the individual colleges in Connecticut (prior to the recent merger) also contributed to Connecticut being named the second-best community college system in the nation.

Go Cougars!
 
$200,000 for Manchester from State Bond Commission
The State Bond Commission on Friday approved $200,000 in funding for Manchester to continue improving Bigelow Brook Greenway, a gem that offers birding, hiking, and running with scenic views.
 
STEAP Grant for Glastonbury
Great news! The Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), which delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects, has approved $500,000 in state funding is approved to construct new parking areas to support up to 70 units of affordable housing on Nye Road. This will be matched by $295,700 in town funds.

The Town of Glastonbury is showing smart and forward-looking leadership in moving ahead with the Nye Road project. I am happy that the state is able to partner with the Town on this important project. STEAP grants help create state and local partnerships that drive projects like this to completion, so Glastonbury can attract new residents, grow and thrive.
 
New Laws Take Effect
A number of new laws went into effect on October 1, which were passed during the 2023 legislative session, and address several issue areas to improve our great state.

New laws include wrong-way driving prevention with a test program on 120 highway exit ramps that are determined high risk for wrong-way drivers and gun violence protection.

Click the button below for the full list of new laws.
New Laws Effective October 1

Your calls, emails, and testimony at public hearings during this year's legislative session had a direct influence on these new laws. Thank you for your input, and please continue sharing your views and making your voice heard during our legislative process.
 
Paying Down Pension Debt

Last week, Connecticut transferred more than $1.3 billion to pay down its long-term pension debt.

Since the legislature enacted the state’s “fiscal guardrails” in 2017, more than $7 billion in excess contributions captured from volatile revenue sources have been made to pay down pension debt, resulting in far-reaching savings for Connecticut taxpayers. 

Future generations will save more than $600 million per year over the next 25 years while supporting retirement benefits for teachers, state troopers, nurses, correction officers and more.

While enormous progress has been made in addressing our long-term liabilities, more work remains. But what we have achieved is benefitting taxpayers today and long into the future.
 
ArrayRx Officially Launches
The ArrayRx program is now open!

I highly encourage you to take advantage of this free program that can save Connecticut residents up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state. There's no cost, age restriction or income restriction to join. To sign up, please click here.
Visit the ArrayRx website and enter your name, email address, birth date, home address and zip code. After signing up, you will be emailed a digital discount card.

The program is part of Public Act 23-171, An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs, which I proudly supported.

For more information on ArrayRx, including a drug price lookup tool, visit arrayrxcard.com
 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month and all year long, I'm committed to fighting for those affected by breast cancer here in Connecticut. We will never stop working to find cures, address the needs of patients and their families, and make treatments affordable.
Over the past few years, the Connecticut General Assembly has passed crucial laws to provide resources, close loopholes, and make early detection easier for Connecticut residents.

In 2022, we passed legislation that requires health insurance coverage for breast and ovarian cancer screenings including mammograms, ultrasounds, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as certain procedures related to breast cancer treatment like breast biopsies, certain prophylactic mastectomies, and breast reconstruction surgery. The law also covers BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genetic testing and prohibits most policies from imposing out-of-pocket costs.

It builds upon a 2019 law to make breast ultrasounds and mammograms available to certain patients at no cost.

Legislation can be a powerful tool to improve health outcomes for breast cancer and all types of cancer.
 
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is a public health crisis. Here in Connecticut, we are committed to fighting for survivors and victims by enacting critical change through legislation. 

For around-the-clock, anytime support call or text (888) 774-2900 or e-mail CTSafeConnect.org.
 
Free COVID-19 Tests
The federal government is once again allowing every household to order COVID-19 tests for free at COVIDtests.gov. You can now place an order to receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests that will be delivered to your home. According to The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the goal is to be prepared for the fall and winter seasons.

These tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants, are intended to be used through the end of 2023, and will include clear instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates.