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Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of July 10th
If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the video below to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter.
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This has been a week for us to feel the impact of global climate change, with previous drought conditions being supplanted by torrential rains which dumped historic levels of water in a short period of time on Sunday and Monday. The water caused significant flooding, damaging local roads and bridges, and causing significant destruction for local farms, not to mention the many flooded basements. I’ve spent a significant amount of time this week speaking with First Selectmen, road crews, the Governor’s office, and the Commissioner of Transportation as we figure out how to provide help to towns and residents and start to repair the damage.
The CT Department of Transportation has already declared a state of emergency which enabled it to begin repair operations immediately, and they are at that work now. We’re also keeping track of the total damages to see whether we can access federal FEMA resources. In order to qualify, we must exceed both a county-wide threshold of around $800,000 (easily met in Litchfield County) and a state-wide threshold of over $6 million, which, unlike NY and VT, we have not yet met.
I extend a huge thank you to the emergency crews of all kinds who kept people safe throughout these dangerous conditions, diverting drivers around flooded areas and damaged roads, and ensuring residents were not isolated in their homes.
We are looking at a chance of additional thunderstorms and rains ahead, so please continue to keep an eye on the weather, stay off the roads during storms if you can, and plan extra time in your travels to accommodate closures and diversions.
As it happened, I had a lot of meetings this week focused on climate and environmental concerns. One of them was a visit to Sharon Audubon, where I met with Executive Director Eileen Fielding and a crew from across the state to talk about plans for the center, and for protecting the forests and climate that birds (and all wildlife, including humans) depend upon. I also got to meet a few charming temporary residents, four juvenile black-crowned night herons who were being cared for after being tossed from their homes when a tree came down.
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Table of contents:
- Diesel tax freeze. Click here
- CT Department of Agriculture seeks response from CT farmers on flooding impacts. Click here.
- Be alert for Unemployment Insurance Fraud. Click here
- Road Closure in Washington for Emergency Road Work. Click here.
- Canaan Railroad Days - July 12 - 21, 2023. Click here
- 16th Annual Jane Lloyd Fund Clambake. Click here
- Cornwall Park & Recreation presents 2023 July Fest Celebration on July 21. Click here
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During the negotiations to pass the new two-year state budget this year, one of the issues that arose late in the game was the prospect of a significant rise in the diesel tax, which was scheduled for an automatic hike in July. Given the rise in fuel costs overall, this increase was expected to be substantial, so we worked with the Governor to freeze the tax for the next year, which helps lower the price of groceries and other commodities while reducing the cost of doing business in Connecticut.
Fuel costs are a significant percentage of expenses not only for the trucking industry, but for all markets that rely on the sale of goods, which makes this a significant cost savings for businesses and consumers alike.
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Over the past few days, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CTDoAg) has received reports from farmers throughout the state experiencing crop losses due to the significant rainfall and rising flood waters. I’ve spoken with several of those farmers about the immediate damage, as well as potential damages ahead.
In an effort to better understand the scope of the situation, CTDoAg is asking producers to share estimated losses with them through their online reporting tool.
This data will be shared with USDA Farm Service Agency and UConn Extension. By filling out this information it will assist these entities in determining if a disaster declaration can be obtained. Your farm name and contact information is not required, but if you would like to be contacted, please share that.
If you have not done so, please also contact your local Farm Service Agency county office to report your damages as well as your insurance agent to report impacts for covered crops. USDA disaster assistance information can be found on farmers.gov, including USDA resources specifically for producers impacted by flooding. For FSA programs eligibility, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center.
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CTDoAg will continue to share information and resources as they become available. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out with questions or concerns.
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With the ReEmployCT Tax and Benefits System reaching its first year in production, part of the “new normal” for administrators of Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs nationwide is one of constant vigilance and defense against criminal enterprises bringing stolen information to our systems and looking to profit from the fraudulent acquisition of government benefits.
This criminal activity, using data obtained by fraudsters in sophisticated ways to steal an individual’s information—by text, using social media, through email, and by breaching retail and commercial systems that have personal identifiers like your birth date, Social Security Number, etc. – has been continuously present with peaks from time to time as various states are targeted. The pandemic created an influx of fraudulent activity across the nation—primarily unemployment claims submitted using stolen identities—and Connecticut was not immune. Connecticut and eight other states are currently experiencing another uptick in fraudulent applications.
CTDOL continues to aggressively protect personal information by implementing safeguards, promoting resources, and educating claimants and Connecticut employers about fraud. The Agency, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, the Office of the Inspector General, and local, state, and federal law enforcement is taking every precaution to combat fraud, prevent fraud payments, and protect the Unemployment Trust Fund. During the pandemic influx of fraudulent applications, CTDOL reestablished our partnership with the Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office to provide a direct line of communication between investigators and prosecutors.
Prominently displayed on the CTDOL homepage is Fraud Watch. This is the access point for all of the information employers and individuals need to report unemployment fraud and identity theft.
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On the Fraud Watch page, individuals who have reason to believe that an imposter has applied for UI benefits using their information will have access to reporting the identity theft to CTDOL so that we may stop the claim from being paid, and they will find the information needed to lock down their credit and protect themselves in the future.
CTDOL has been proactive in protecting individuals’ personal information by implementing safeguards against these sophisticated fraud schemes. However, if one suspects they may be a victim of unemployment fraud due to identity theft, they should complete the CTDOL ID Theft Report Form.
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that an Emergency Road Repair will be performed on Route 45 in Washington between Route 202 and Flirtation Ave.
This project consists of road closure on Route 45 between Flirtation Ave and Route 202 in the Town of Washington for emergency washout roadwork repairs. This project is scheduled to take place Thursday July 13, 2023, and is scheduled to be completed on Friday July 14, 2023. Road Closure will be between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm- Roadway will be open to traffic after 4:00 pm daily. Motorists can expect RT 45 to be closed at RT 202 Washington and Flirtation Ave. A Detour will be in place (RT 341 to RT 45).
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Canaan Railroad Days is proud to be celebrating its 59th year in bringing an amazing festival to the Northwest Corner of Canaan, CT. Enjoy fireworks, train history, carnival, live music and much more.
Please check out the Events Calendar for a growing list of upcoming events!
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The Jane Lloyd Fund was founded by Jane's family after her eight-year battle with cancer; diagnosed at 38, and unable to work, community members assumed Jane’s day-to-day expenses enabling her to live out her life in her beloved home. Wishing to respond to the community's generosity, Jane's family established The Jane Lloyd Fund to ensure that others in the community might experience the same sense of well-being in their own time of need.
Tickets are going fast for the 16th Annual Jane Lloyd Fund Clambake on July 29, 2-8 pm, at Satre Hill in Salisbury. The traditional New England clambake, which is served promptly at 4:00 pm, features steamers, raw bar, lobster, potatoes, corn on the cob, dessert, beer, wine, hamburgers, grilled chicken, and hot dogs as well as music from Eliot Osborn, and friends. Thanks to the generosity of local business sponsors, 100% of the event proceeds provide financial assistance to cancer patients in the tri-state community.
Clambake tickets, which sell out regularly, may be purchased at www.thejanelloydfund.org. The Clambake, which takes place rain or shine, also offers take-out orders. For help with ticket orders, please email
JLFclambake@intellitix.com.
CONTACT: Caroline Burchfield
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It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.
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Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative
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