|
|
|
|
| Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of February 28.
If you prefer to watch rather than read, click the image below to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter. |
|
Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- $40M for Special Education Funding. Click here.
- Access Health CT Enrolls Record Number of CT Residents. Click here.
- 2025 Farm Transition Grants Awarded. Click here.
- Students Can Apply To Join CT Board of Education. Click here.
- ICYMI - Women's Business Development Council Now Accepting Grant Applications. Click here.
- ICYMI - New Matching Funds Grant Program Supporting CT Communities Pursuing FEMA Funds. Click here.
- Events in the Northwest Corner. Click here.
|
|
| On Monday, I was proud to vote for a bill allocating $40 million in funding to special education, giving immediate support to more than 140 school districts in our state, including both regional and elementary schools in the district, and ensuring students receive the specialized support they need to thrive.
School districts across the state have been struggling under the burden of these costs, and we opted to provide urgent support with this bill, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Since then, the governor has expressed concerns regarding the budgetary allocation (his budget proposal also proposed support for special education, but those resources wouldn’t be available until 2027.). That’s the nature of budget negotiations, and I remain optimistic that a workable agreement can be reached as we address this critical issue.
My colleagues and I have heard from cities and towns across Connecticut that special education costs are squeezing local budgets. Students and families are dealing with the repercussions of a broken system, and while the legislature considers long-term solutions, we recognized our school districts needed immediate relief.
Our ultimate goal is to achieve systemic reform to ensure sustainable funding in this arena.
Special education remains a legislative priority for House Democrats this session, and moving forward, we will continue looking for solutions to lower costs, strengthen services, and provide more financial support for our education system to make sure every child has access to the education they deserve. |
|
Access Health CT (AHCT) reported a record number of Connecticut residents enrolled in health and dental insurance for 2025 during the Open Enrollment Period, which ran from Nov. 1, 2024 to Jan. 15, 2025.
However, tens of thousands of Connecticut residents could see their health coverage costs increase dramatically next year if Congress does not act to extend the enhanced subsidies that are a critical part of making coverage affordable through federal and state-based marketplaces like AHCT.
A total of 151,151 Connecticut residents enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) for 2025, compared to 129,000 at the end of the Open Enrollment Period in 2024. That includes 41,165 residents enrolled in the no-cost Covered CT Program, compared to 27,393 last year. In addition, AHCT enrolled more residents in dental coverage, for a total of 17,756.
This financial help is at risk. The enhanced subsidies created as part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and extended by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have significantly expanded health insurance coverage access and affordability for millions of Americans. But they are set to expire at the end of this year.
If the subsidies do expire, the Congressional Budget Office expects nearly four million Americans will lose their insurance by 2034, leading to a sicker country overall. Without the enhanced subsidies available, healthier-than-average people could likely exit the marketplaces, causing insurers to raise premiums for the remaining enrollees.
Since the enhanced subsidies were introduced, the number of individuals receiving financial assistance in Connecticut has increased by nearly 30%. Approximately 90% of AHCT customers now receive financial help.
Without these subsidies, Connecticut residents could expect to pay $1,700 more on average per year for their health insurance. Some residents will see a nearly $3,000 increase per year. |
|
The CT Department of Agriculture announced that Hoadley Hills Farm has received an infrastructure investment grant for the construction of a 30x30 barn and installation of two 6-ton grain bins. More than $527,000 has been awarded to fund 29 projects throughout the state.
CT DoAg received a total of 80 submitted grant proposals for the highly competitive grant round, with funding requests of nearly $1.6 million for total project costs more than $3.9 million. Of the awarded funds, $303,395 will support seven farms to produce a new product, $165,150 will fortify nine farms with critical infrastructure, $55,550 will bolster twelve farms in their first three years of production, and $3,900 will assist one farm in testing the viability of a new product. Additionally, 20 of the 29 recipients have not received a Farm Transition Grant award within the last five years, 19 are beginning farmers and eight are farmer veterans.
Farm Transition Grant is authorized by and funded through C.G.S. Section 22-26k to strengthen the economic viability of Connecticut’s agricultural businesses in times of growth and change. Additional information about the program can be found at www.CTGrown.gov/Grants |
|
| Attention small business owners - the Women's Business Development Council is now accepting applications for two grant programs designed to help businesses at various stages of development.
The Ignite Grant Program offers grants of up to $10,000 for local women-owned businesses. To qualify, business must:
- Be in operation for at least two years
- Have annual revenues between $25,000 and $2 million.
The application will remain open through Monday, March 10. Learn more about the Ignite Grant HERE. |
|
| The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund provides grants of up to $25,000 to licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program supports businesses at different stages, from start-ups to those looking to expand. You can apply now through Monday, March 3. CLICK HERE for more details.
Live information sessions are available throughout the application period. These sessions will cover grant requirements and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Register for an information session HERE. |
|
| 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.
For questions about this program, please email DEEP.climateresilience@ct.gov. |
|
| The 30th Annual Litchfield Jazz Festival will be held on July 25-27 at the Thomas Perakos Performing Arts Center in Washington, Connecticut. Click here to purchase tickets. |
|
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. |
|
| 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. |
|
| Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
