Rep. Delany Legislative Update 6/30

June 30, 2022

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

I hope you and your family have been well, and are enjoying the warm Summer weather.

 

As we move further into the season our City of Stamford and the State of Connecticut will continue to see the benefits of the hard work we as a community have put into lifting each other up. 

 

There are still looming and serious challenges ahead of us, but I ask that we all take a minute this holiday weekend to reflect on the goodwill and strength of our city, our community, and each other. 

 

Some of the new legislation from this past session will come into effect this weekend, and I have included brief descriptions of those new policies below.  

 

Also, please remember that fares on all public transportation busses, as well as the gas tax holiday, will continue to be suspended through November 30th, 2022

 

Below you will find more detailed information on the new laws taking effect, state-wide summer programs, the increase of our minimum wage, and local events that I hope you and your family may enjoy.

 

I hope you have a fun and safe holiday weekend.
STAMFORD FOURTH OF JULY SCHEDULE

                                   

The fireworks display will be held on Saturday, July 4 at 9pm off the Landmark Building. Rain date July 3.

Important Note: There will be NO public viewing areas and all streets will remain open. Gatherings will be prohibited. The show will be visible for miles allowing residents to safely watch from rooftops, windows, balconies and restaurant patios!

Tune into Star 99.9 for a live musical simulcast!
 
COMMUNITY RACIAL JUSTICE SERIES
 
The first event of the Community Racial Justice Series was a positive turn out and great discussions were had. On Saturday July 9, part two of the series will be joined by law enforcement from the Stamford Police Department. They will share their experiences with how this bill has affected them.
Register Here
 
MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES JULY 1

Back in 2019, Connecticut House Democrats made it a priority to pass legislation that focused on assisting working families by increasing the minimum wage over of several years until it reaches $15 in 2023.

Because of that vote, many Connecticut residents are due for a raise this week. The next scheduled minimum wage increase will take effect on Friday, July 1, going from $13 to $14 per hour. The minimum wage will finally increase to $15 on June 1, 2023.

The Connecticut Department of Labor and Connecticut Voices for Children estimate those increases will raise wages for more than half a million people in the state by 2024. This increase helps Connecticut residents because not only does it assist hard-working families (especially now with inflation wreaking havoc on people's wallets), but it can spur local economies by putting more money in people's pockets, which drives up spending power and makes it easier to pay household bills.

No one should be forced to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet. That's why I stand in such strong support of this pay raise and the workers who will benefit from it. 

 
NEW LAWS EFFECTIVE JULY 1

A number of new laws that my colleagues and I worked on during the 2022 legislative session to implement meaningful change in our state take effect in Connecticut on July 1.
 
The list is extensive, but see below for some highlights:
Paid family leave
 
Starting Friday, among other provisions, the act requires employers to notify their employees at the time of hiring and every year thereafter about their entitlement to family and medical leave and family violence leave and the terms under which the leaves may be used, about the opportunity to file a benefits claim under the FMLI program. The law also prohibits employer retaliation against an employee for requesting, applying for, or using family medical leave for which an employee is eligible.

Protections for Reproductive and
Gender-Affirming Health Services

In light of the recent Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade, I am pleased that Connecticut took proactive steps to ensure reproductive rights. This new law establishes protections for individuals seeking an abortion and physicians performing services. It also protects against out-of-state judgments based on reproductive or gender-affirming health care services that are legal in Connecticut, allowing these individuals to recover certain costs they incurred defending the out-of-state action and bringing an action under the new law. The law allows advanced practice registered nurses, nurse midwives, and physician assistants to provide reproductive services.
 

JobsCT

The budget established the JobsCT tax rebate program for companies in specified industries to earn rebates against insurance premiums, corporation business, and pass-through entity (PE) taxes for reaching certain job creation targets.
 

Indoor Air Quality in Public Schools

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislature passed several initiatives to improve schools’ indoor air quality. A grant program was created to reimburse boards of education or regional education service centers for costs associated with installing, replacing, or upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems or other air quality improvements. The budget makes $150 million available for the program ($75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and $75 million in general obligation bonds effective July 1). Additionally, the act requires boards of education to conduct a uniform inspection and evaluation of the HVAC system in each school building under its jurisdiction every five years and take any necessary corrective actions. It also establishes a working group to study and make recommendations related to indoor air quality within schools.
 

Captive Audience Meetings

A new law generally prohibits employers from penalizing employees or threatening to do so for refusing to attend employer-sponsored meetings, listen to speech, or view communications primarily intended to convey the employer’s opinion about religious or political matters, including decisions to join or support labor organizations. The law provides exceptions for, among other things, employers to communicate information required by law or that the employees need to perform their jobs.
 

Catalytic Converters

Several changes were made regarding the receipt and sale of catalytic converters, including prohibiting anyone other than a motor vehicle recycler or motor vehicle repair shop from selling more than one unattached converter to a scrap metal processor, junk dealer, or junk yard owner or operator in a day. The law also establishes several recordkeeping requirements and other conditions, such as affixing or writing a stock number on converters.

Isolated Confinement

This new law limits the amount of time and circumstances under which an incarcerated person may be held in isolated confinement with less than four hours per day out of a cell beginning Friday in the general population, gradually increasing to 5 hours per day on and after April 1, 2023. The law also requires that any use of isolated confinement maintain the least restrictive environment needed for the safety of incarcerated individuals, staff, and facility security and prohibits holding minors in isolated confinement. It also places new limits on its use by considering physical and mental health evaluations.
 

FREE YOUTH ADMISSIONS TO CT MUSEUMS RETURN
THIS SUMMER
 

 

The Connecticut Summer at the Museum program is returning for the 2022 summer season. Starting Friday, July 1, all children and one accompanying adult will receive free admission to over 90 museums across Connecticut. This program will be offered through September 6th to all Connecticut children, ages 18 and under.

This is a great opportunity for parents and guardians who are looking for a family friendly activity during the hot summer months. Please click here for a complete list of participating locations.  
 
HEAD START ON HOUSING
 

I am pleased to announce Head Start on Housing, a cross-agency collaboration that will work to expedite housing subsidies for Head Start households.

Housing is the most important foundation for a healthy and stable life, especially for children who are the most vulnerable segment of the population.

Services can often be delivered in the most efficient manner when agencies work together and this effort uses a multi-pronged approach to help provide permanent housing to as many families with children as possible.


 

Head Start on Housing is a partnership between the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Connecticut Department of Housing, Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office, Connecticut Head Start Association, and the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare.

Combating homelessness is another component and step forward in our overall goal of improving the lives of our young residents to give them the best opportunity for future success.

I look forward to this plan benefiting children in need and to the positive impact it will have on families and neighborhoods across the state.
 
CHILD TAX PAYMENTS APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Connecticut's first ever child tax payment has just gone into effect and it's already a massive success!

Since applications were first opened to the public on June 1,

more than 90,000 households have filed to receive the $250 per child tax payment (up to three children). This was included in the $650 million tax relief package that House Democrats approved as part of the 2022 state budget to give much-needed financial relief and flexibility to working families across Connecticut.

If you have a child born before Jan. 1, 2022 and haven't yet applied, I want to remind you that there is still time to apply to receive your check!

This tax payment is available to single parents who earned less than $100,000 and two-parent households that made less than $200,000 during the 2021 tax year.

For more information on the payment and to submit an application with the Department of Revenue Services before the July 31 deadline, click the button below.
Information on the 2022 CT Child Tax Payments