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| Dear Neighbor,
I hope you're all doing well and staying warm. Frigid temperatures are headed our way in the coming days and severe weather protocol will be activated this weekend. I have included more details below. I want to thank you all for making this month's monthly coffee hour meeting at the Ditty Bag a success. The turnout was great. Let's keep it going! Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I hope you take a moment to watch one of his speeches or read one of the many inspirational quotes the civil rights icon shared. There's a lot to cover in this week's newsletter. Topics include:
- The Week in Pictures
- Severe Weather Protocol Goes into Effect Sunday
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday
- The Navy Honors Groton
- Farmers' Loss Survey
- DEEP Announced Request for Qualifications for Community Resource Hubs
- CT Paid Leave Reaches $1B in Benefits Paid
- Unpaid Toll Text Scam Alert
- Community Events and Notices
Have a great weekend,
Aundré
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| I attended Treasurer Erick Russell's Pension Fund Informational Hearing to learn more about Connecticut’s investment strategies and their impact on our communities.
Ensuring the sustainability and transparency of our pension system is essential for the financial well-being of retirees and taxpayers alike.
Grateful for the opportunity to engage in this critical discussion and catch up with many former colleagues at the Office of State Treasurer! |
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| I attended my first Finance, Revenue, & Bonding Committee meeting of the 2025 session this week, where we began sharing ideas to strengthen Connecticut’s economy and ensure fiscal responsibility. This important committee oversees the state’s finance, bonding, and tax policies, shaping the revenue side of the budget and how we invest in our future.
Later, during our House Democratic Caucus, we outlined legislative priorities for the session, focusing on growth and addressing key challenges facing our state. Ready to get to work for the 41st! |
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| Fantastic turnout at my monthly coffee hour! It was great to share updates as the legislative session begins, but even more valuable to hear what’s on people’s minds and discuss their concerns. |
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With Connecticut set to experience a period of brutally frigid conditions over the coming days, the state’s severe cold weather protocol will go into effect beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday and remain in effect through noon on Friday.
During this period, temperatures are expected to remain below freezing throughout the daytime hours, and overnight temperatures are anticipated to drop into the single digits and possibly below zero.
Anyone in need of shelter or a warming center is urged to call 2-1-1 to get connected to these services, or they can visit 211ct.org to read a list of available locations.
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| As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, let's take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary legacy of a leader whose vision of justice, equality, and nonviolent resistance transformed our nation and inspired the world. Dr. King's unwavering commitment to civil rights reminds us of the power of courage, compassion, and collective action to create meaningful change. |
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| Let's honor Dr. King's memory by recommitting ourselves to the pursuit of equity, inclusion, and unity in our communities. |
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| This is really exciting news!
The newest Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine will be named the future USS Groton (SSBN 828) with delivery of the sub scheduled for 2032. Click on the image below for more details. |
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The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) seeks farmer participation in a brief survey regarding weather-related losses during 2023 and 2024. Your input helps determine the funding request CT DoAg will submit to the federal government to assist with these losses and guide which types should be included.
On December 20, 2024, a Continuing Resolution was signed into law, securing $220 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide block grants to eight eligible states, including Connecticut. This funding aims to compensate producers for losses and expenses resulting from weather events in 2023 and 2024. Each state must estimate its losses and develop a fund distribution plan. |
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The survey asks about specific weather-related losses in 2023 and 2024 and long-term stresses exacerbated by weather conditions in these two years. Examples of losses include, but are not limited to:
• Production losses
• Damage to infrastructure (e.g., buildings, hoop houses, fences, roads)
• Increased production costs due to pressure from invasive species
• Losses due to soil contamination
• Physical damage to cropland
• Increased input costs, such as feed
Comprehensive data is needed to accurately assess the scope of losses and inform the funding request. You're encouraged to complete the survey, even if you have already received grants, loans, or insurance for the losses listed. These payments will be considered when the program application is launched.
The survey will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 19. The survey can be found HERE. |
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| The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking proposals from qualified organizations to serve as DEEP Community Resource Hubs (Hubs) in environmental justice communities in Connecticut.
The purpose of the Community Resource Hubs will be to better connect Connecticut residents in environmental justice communities, including economically distressed communities, with DEEP services and programs that can benefit residents and their communities.
Community Resource Hubs, beginning with one or two pilots, will serve as localized access points for:
- Facilitating community engagement in DEEP policy and program development.
- Improving community access to state and federal grant programs.
- Hosting educational and informational events related to DEEP’s mission areas, including clean energy, environmental quality, and climate resilience.
- Supporting workforce development and business creation aligned with DEEP programs.
RFQ submissions are open until 5 p.m. on March 12, 2025. For more details, please click HERE. |
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| From inception to date, CT Paid Leave has paid over $1 billion in connection with more than 190,000 approved claims. Claim volume has increased by 17% since 2022 and 9% in the last twelve months. To learn how many paid leave claims have been filed in the 41st or any other district, as well as the application rates on a per 10,000-person basis, please click on the map below. |
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| I want to make sure all of you stay safe and informed! A new scam is circulating where fraudsters are sending text messages claiming you have an unpaid toll and asking for payment. Please DO NOT click any links or provide any personal information. |
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Some tips from the FBI:
If you receive one of these messages, file a complaint with the IC3, www.ic3.gov. Include where the number of the originating text came from, and the website from which the number was generated.
⚠️Delete any scam texts received.
⚠️If you clicked any link or provided your information, make efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges.
⚠️Always verify any toll-related charges directly through official state websites or customer service.
Stay vigilant and share this message with your friends and family to help protect our community! |
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| Do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Aundre.Bumgardner@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.
Sincerely,
Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative |
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