Legislative Update 11/15

November 15, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

I want to thank you for re-electing me! I am humbled. It is an honor and privilege to serve the residents of the 126th district. 
We held our first Democratic caucus after the election last week. We previously had 98 seats in the CT House of Representatives. We now hold 102.
 
Access Health CT Open Enrollment Period Underway
Access Health CT's Open Enrollment period is underway through January 15, 2025. Connecticut residents can shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance plans or renew their coverage. Customers may also enroll in dental insurance through AHCT.

When you enroll, it affects when your coverage starts. If customers enroll on or before December 15, coverage will start on  January 1, 2025. If they enroll between December 16 and January 15, 2025, coverage will start on February 1, 2025.

AHCT is the only place Connecticut residents can get financial help to pay for their health insurance. Nearly 90% of AHCT customers enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) receive assistance. Some customers might also qualify for the

Covered CT Program. This program provides no-cost insurance for eligible residents.
There are 22 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) available for customers to choose from this year. Plans are available from three insurance carriers, including Anthem, ConnectiCare Benefits Inc., and ConnectiCare Insurance Company Inc.

People who are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program and live in Connecticut can sign up for health and dental insurance through AHCT.

Free help to sign up is available online, in person, and over the phone. For a list of enrollment fairs and to register, visit the 

Enrollment Events webpage on the AHCT website.

Information about enrollment locations and Navigator locations are also listed. Customers can also get help from a certified broker or enrollment specialist in their community. Go to 

AccessHealthCT.com and click "Get Help" or call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available in over 100 languages. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call a relay operator.

People can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. 
 
Stage 2 Drought Advisory Declared for Connecticut
With low precipitation and continuous fire danger across the state, a Stage 2 Drought Advisory has been declared for all eight counties in Connecticut. A red flag warning has been issued statewide through 6 p.m. today with the risk of brush fires.
Stage 1 is the lowest while Stage 5 is the most extreme. Please click on the press release below for more details, including how residents and businesses can voluntarily help minimize future drought impacts. For more details, please click HERE.
 
Days Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Aid from August Floods
Homeowners, renters, and business owners in Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County that there are only a few days left to apply for federal disaster assistance to support recovery for uninsured or underinsured property damage experienced during August 18, 2024s historic rainfall and severe floods.

The deadline to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is Tuesday, November 19, 2024. 
(photo credit CTPost)

For more details, including how to apply for FEMA and SBA assistance, please click HERE.
 
Teen Safe Driving Video Contest
Teenage students and high schools in Connecticut can win up to $26,000 in prizes by entering a submission into Connecticut’s 16th annual Teen Safe Driving Video Contest hosted by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Travelers.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens in the United States. In 2022, there were 2,514 people killed in crashes across the country involving teenage drivers between the ages of 15 and 18.
The Teen Safe Drive Video Contest is open to all public, private, and home-schooled high school students in Connecticut between the ages of 14 and 18.  Contest entrants are required to create a unique and effective video public service announcement no longer than 45 seconds, highlighting interactions between drivers and other teens while illustrating ways to practice safer driving habits and obey Connecticut’s teen driving laws.
 
The videos must also address at least one specific Connecticut teen driving law. Click HERE to read the full contest rules and instructions on submitting a video. The deadline for submissions is February 3, 2025. To watch winning videos from previous years, click here.
 
Reminder: Mini-grants to Support Youth Engagement
A friendly reminder: Mini-grants are available to support the engagement of youth ages 5-25 in meaningful youth-led service or service-learning projects or programs benefiting the community during the grant term of January 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025.
Eligible applicants include schools, out-of-school time programs (after school or summer), municipalities, agencies, and/or youth-serving organizations. Youth-led groups are welcome to apply with the sponsorship of an eligible applicant listed above.
 
To qualify for funding, proposed youth-led service initiatives may be new or existing, must prioritize engaging youth that are underrepresented in youth service in our state, and must actively engage youth in the development and implementation of the proposed service project or initiative.
 
Mini-grant funding requests of up to $8,000 will be considered. Funding may be used to support youth-led service project development and implementation costs and/or to remove barriers to youth participation in youth-led service projects and programs. To learn more please click HERE.
 
Honoring Our Caregivers
November is National Family Caregivers Month - a time to honor and support the caregivers who give so much to our families and communities. I'm sharing local resources to help lighten the load, from mental health support to financial assistance programs. Let’s ensure our caregivers get the care they need, too!
Eligible applicants include schools, out-of-school time programs (after school or summer), municipalities, agencies, and/or youth-serving organizations. Youth-led groups are welcome to apply with the sponsorship of an eligible applicant listed above.
 
To qualify for funding, proposed youth-led service initiatives may be new or existing, must prioritize engaging youth that are underrepresented in youth service in our state, and must actively engage youth in the development and implementation of the proposed service project or initiative.
 
Mini-grant funding requests of up to $8,000 will be considered. Funding may be used to support youth-led service project development and implementation costs and/or to remove barriers to youth participation in youth-led service projects and programs. To learn more please click HERE.
 
Puerto Rican and Native American Heritage Month
This a time we reflect on the island's history and culture, the challenges Puerto Ricans face, and their resilience.
 
Small Business Saturday is November 30th
Please click HERE for a list of small businesses in West Haven or anywhere in Connecticut. For a list of Black-owned businesses throughout the state, please click HERE.

Sincerely,

Fred Gee
State Representative
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