David Michel

My colleagues and I took swift action at the Capitol as snow and cold temperatures returned to Connecticut. I'll break down why the House approved millions for home heating assistance to those in need.

Make sure to take a look at the traffic alert below! There will be lane closures on I-95 in Stamford for construction starting next week. Keep scrolling to find out when and where to expect potential delays.

We need to do more to protect renters from predatory landlords all over the state. I'll dig deeper into the proposal that would not cost landlords a dime and keep tenants in their homes.

And, I fully support a healthcare expansion plan to include all undocumented immigrants. Please read below to see how an expansion could affect our state's bottom line.

Here are the sections in today's email:

• Millions Approved for Home Heating Assistance
• Lane Closures on I-95 in Stamford
• Advocating For Connecticut Renters
• Husky For Immigrants

The House of Representatives returned to the State Capitol this week to approve $17 million in additional cold weather heating assistance funds. Many residents and families who receive assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or Operation Fuel will have access to funds to ensure they can heat their homes through the cold weather season.

The House and Senate approved the measure unanimously, and the bill took effect immediately after the governor signed it into law on Wednesday afternoon. The Connecticut Department of Social Services and Operation Fuel will work to ensure this funding gets to those in need. 

As your State Representative, it is my responsibility to stand up for my constituents. This funding ensures that none of our neighbors must choose between paying their bills or freezing.

I am committed to enhancing the safety and quality of life for all residents, and I will continue to do so throughout this legislative session.  

Some northbound lanes will be shut down from 8:00 P.M. - 6:00 A.M. while some southbound lanes will be closed from 10:00 P.M. - 6:00 A.M.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is building new auxiliary lanes, resurfacing, and making safety improvements to I-95.

I stand with advocates who demand that Connecticut pass a bill expanding just cause eviction protections for tenants. This is an opportunity to support anyone who rents their home no matter their age, disability status, zip code, or income.

Current law gives landlords too much power to unfairly kick out renters. Some tenants shared their stories of being evicted because a lease was not renewed, or they complained about unsafe living conditions even when they paid rent on time. Stamford deals with this kind of predatory practice from corporate and local landlords.

An updated just cause eviction law would not cost landlords a dime and address:

• housing instability
• the eviction crisis
• rising homeless population

An expansion to just cause would require landlords to have a valid reason for an eviction such as wanting to sell an apartment, dealing with a tenant who is destroying property, is late on rent, or does not abide by the lease. This approach seeks to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the eviction process, safeguarding tenants from arbitrary or unjustified removal from their homes. By establishing clear criteria for justifiable eviction, this framework aims to strike a balance between protecting the rights of tenants and enabling landlords to manage their properties effectively.

Many renters express a genuine desire to remain in their current residences. It represents more than just a place to live because their home embodies a hub of social connections and support networks. Recognizing the significance of this bond underscores the importance of policies and practices that prioritize housing stability and tenant rights.

Housing instability, evictions, and homeless populations are only increasing. According to the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, an expansion to just cause would reduce evictions by 11%, reduce lease non-renewals, and cut down on no-fault move out notices. Clearly the current rules have not managed to keep people safely in their homes. Now is the time to act because fair housing is a fundamental human right.

I attended a press conference with Husky 4 Immigrants to show my support for a proposed expansion in healthcare coverage for all undocumented immigrants regardless of age. Current law dictates that undocumented immigrants who are 15 and younger can now qualify for HUSKY insurance. In addition, HUSKY will cover prenatal and postpartum care for immigrant mothers.

Expanding HUSKY would not break the bank. According to the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit global policy think tank, it would cost the state $83 million to expand HUSKY coverage to all undocumented residents in Connecticut. That same study also concluded the state could save $63-$72 million on reduced spending on uncompensated care like unpaid emergency room visits.