More Oppressive Heat, New Laws, and Protecting Our Ocean

July 15, 2024

Cooling centers are open across Stamford once again due to the oppressive summer heat. Please read below to find a cool place near you in case you don't have air conditioning.

Dozens of new laws are now in effect, and I'll break down how they are saving you money, improving our election security, and increasing our online privacy.

NASA is sharing powerful visuals on how climate change is changing our ocean. Keep scrolling to see how this project is raising awareness about this ongoing issue.

Here are the sections of today's email:

  • Cooling Centers Open Due to Dangerous Heat
  • New Laws in Effect
  • Remembering CTDOT Worker Gone Too Soon
  • Protecting Our Ocean
 
Cooling Centers Open Due to Dangerous Heat
With a new week comes another warning about dangerously high heat and humidity. The state has activated the extreme hot weather protocol for a third time from now through Wednesday, July 17 at 8 P.M. Cooling centers are open in Stamford and throughout the state, and you can find one by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211ct.org.
List of cooling centers in Stamford
 
New Laws in Effect
Several new laws that address many issues aimed at improving our great state went into effect on July 1st. 

New laws include mandatory video cameras at absentee drop boxes as part of sweeping legislation to ensure election security, allowing firearm sellers access to the arrest records of potential buyers under 21, prohibiting the selling of a person's health data without their consent, and requiring the departments of Social Services and Public Health to post a reporting tool on their websites that use a five-star system to compare nursing homes.

Additional laws include requiring social media companies to comply following a request to unpublish and delete accounts held by minors. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) will have a mobile crisis-response vehicle available 24-7.

We also held a special session to tighten up a few loopholes, including one that avoids a motor vehicle tax increase for commercial vehicles. You can access the new laws that will go into effect on July 1st by clicking the button below. 
New laws effective July 1st
Lastly, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your calls, emails, and testimony at public hearings. They had a direct influence on these new laws. I encourage you to continue sharing your views and make your voice heard during the legislative process. 
 
Remembering CTDOT Worker Gone Too Soon
I would like to take a moment to share how sad I was to learn that a state worker was killed in a heartbreaking tragedy. A driver struck and killed Andrew DiDomenico on June 28 while he was conducting routine road maintenance in a work zone near I-91 in Wallingford.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the DiDomenico family, his friends, and colleagues at the Connecticut Department of Transportation. This senseless tragedy should have never happened.

Please remember to always be vigilant when you get behind the wheel and slow down in work zones. We can all do more to ensure that everyone is safer on our roadways.
 

NASA has published a data visualization project that gives an overview of how climate change is altering our oceans. The organization talks about oceans warming up, sea levels rising, sea ice thinning, and a possible changing ocean circulation.

It’s not all bad news. Recent research found that tropical ocean turned greener. This means life is found there. Please click here to see eye catching graphics that illustrate how our climate change is affecting our ocean.