Maria Horn

This is my State Capitol update for the week of May 22.

If you prefer to watch rather than read, click the image below to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.

It is bill-signing season.  All bills that were passed this session by both the House and Senate are "presented" to the Governor, who then has 15 days to sign them, or veto them.  Once that 15 days has passed (and it will have passed for all bills by the end of this week), any bill that hasn’t been vetoed automatically becomes law.
 
As that deadline passes, there is a lot of work going on in the Capitol putting together summaries of the bills that made it through this year.  One bill the Governor signed this week is HB 5219, which came about because of a lot of local advocacy surrounding herbicide use by railroads in their rights-of-way.  The bill expands the information railroads must provide annually to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the municipality; requires railroads to develop plans that include maps showing rights-of-way, sensitive areas, and specifics about herbicides that will be applied; and imposes specific restrictions on herbicide applications near water sources or wetlands. It took a lot of work to get it done, and wouldn’t have happened without all the knowledgeable advocates in our region working on the issue.   
 
Memorial Day is around the corner and many towns in the region will be honoring the occasion with parades and other events.  I'm going to try to attend several of them, so I hope to see you out there

• Expanding Health Care and Forgiving Student Loans. Click here. 
• Summer Tourism Season kicks off at State Parks, Beaches, and Cultural Attractions. Click here. 
• Upcoming Events. Click here.  

The Connecticut Student Loan Repayment Program incentivizes eligible health care providers to practice full-time in underserved Connecticut communities for at least two years by offering up to $50,000 in student loan repayments. Part-time options are also available for $12,500 per year over two years, totaling $25,000.

The program offers a unique advantage in that it allows federal and private student loan debt to be repaid, expanding the eligible talent pool that can participate.

The following health care jobs are eligible for this new statewide initiative:

• MDs and DOs in Family Practice, General Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/GYN
• APRNs, including Certified Nurse Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, and Psychiatric Nurse Specialists
• Physician Assistants
• Registered Nurses
• Dentists and Dental Hygienists
• Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Core Behavioral Health Providers, including Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Substance Use Disorder Counselors
• Pharmacists

 
This great program will recruit and retain new health care workers, forgive the student loans of these heroes, and reduce health disparities across our state - a major win for all Connecticut residents.
 
The state will begin accepting applications on Wednesday. Click here to learn how to apply

• Parents and caregivers: Watch your children. It only takes seconds for a child to drown, and this can occur silently.
• Be aware of underwater hazards: Natural swimming areas can have sudden drop-offs, holes, large rocks, or tree roots that can’t be easily seen from the surface. Diving and jumping into these waters can be dangerous.
• Swim only in the designated areas, and swim with a buddy.
• Take a swimming lesson: Swimming skills can help save lives. People of all ages should consider signing up for a swimming class offered at local YMCAs or municipal parks and recreation departments.
• Drink responsibly: Excessive alcohol consumption impairs judgment and reaction ability. Even prescription drugs may impair judgment. Swim sober.
• Know your limits, including physical fitness and medical conditions.
• Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

 
Boating safety
 
DEEP manages 117 boat launches across Connecticut on ponds, lakes, rivers and Long Island Sound. Information on these facilities can be found online at portal.ct.gov/deep/boating/boating-and-paddling.
 
While access to all 117 state boat launches is available throughout the year, DEEP reminds boaters that late spring water temperatures are much colder than the air and can pose substantial dangers to unprepared recreational boaters. To prevent serious consequences from an unexpected cold-water immersion, paddlers should exercise caution by using proper equipment, practicing safety techniques, and avoiding dangerous situations. DEEP recommends that paddlers wear a personal floatation device all year round, but they are required by law to be worn from October 1 through May 31. Over the last five years, Connecticut families have grieved the loss of 11 paddlers during spring’s cold water boating season.
 
Some helpful tips for those planning to boat:
 

• Always wear your life jacket: Connecticut law requires anyone in canoes, kayaks, rowboats, or stand-up paddleboards to wear a properly fitting life jacket between October 1 and May 31. If a boater ends up in the water, a life jacket will make someone more visible to other boaters and will keep them afloat, significantly improving their chances of survival.
• Do not paddle alone: Always paddle with a partner, and know how to get back into the boat should someone fall overboard. When paddling with a partner, it is easier to get back into a boat or reach shore safely.
• Dress for cold water: Paddlers should dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Water temperatures can vary greatly around the state during the spring, but all still are below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considered cold water. Cold water immersion increases the risk of cold-water shock and involuntary gasp reflex, which is a leading cause of drowning.
• File a float plan: Make a float plan that includes your planned boating location, expected time of departure and return, and who to call in case of emergency. Provide the plan to someone at home and call them once you are back ashore safely.
• Maintain a proper lookout: Springtime can bring higher water levels in rivers which can dislodge items like docks, pilings, and trees. These can be found floating down rivers and into Long Island Sound. Boaters should be especially vigilant this time of year when they get out on the water to look for and avoid floating debris.

 
Check DEEP’s social media channels before you visit a state park
 
Anyone planning to visit a state park or boat launch is urged to check for capacity closures before visiting. This information is routinely posted on X (formerly Twitter) at @CTStateParks and @CTBoatingInfo.
 
Additionally, DEEP’s Water Quality Monitoring Program is back in action this season. Water quality information is published online at portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Recreation-Information/State-Swimming-Area-Water-Quality-Report.
 
Seasonal staff opportunities at state parks still available
 
Multiple seasonal jobs at Connecticut’s state parks, including positions for lifeguards, park rangers, maintenance, and more remain available this summer, particularly in the northwest corner of the state. For information on these opportunities, visit workoutside.ct.gov.
 

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, with children under 12 admitted free; tickets and further information are available at 860-619-8110 or at https://kentsingers.com/tickets/.

The third annual CT Craft Beer Grand Prix Competition & Festival will be held this Sunday, May 26 at  Lime Rock Park from 12 pm - 4 pm. It is a great opportunity to  enjoy local Connecticut breweries all in one place. 

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Maria Horn
State Representative