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Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of July 17th
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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Given the past couple of weeks, today’s sunshine, mild temperatures, and clear air were especially glorious to experience. Climate change, with the weather volatility and rising temperatures that go with it, has been a mounting challenge for decades, and we are now experiencing it in a direct and visceral way. Though much of the water has receded, there are still flood conditions to be found throughout the region (including on my hike this morning in Skiff Mountain South Preserve in Kent).
We are also still adding up the damages in order to determine what resources might be available. In addition to damaged roads and bridges (some of which, especially in Norfolk, will have to be completely rebuilt), many homeowners experienced damage to their property. While the state isn’t able to address damage to private property, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can provide relief to individuals and households that qualify. First the state has to qualify for FEMA disaster relief, by establishing that we have experienced over $6.5 million in damages statewide. If you have documented and uninsured flood damage to a home that is your primary residence, and can meet other eligibility requirements, for the FEMA Individual and Household Program, your damages may be eligible to help the state meet our threshold. Please check the requirements and report those damages to municipal officials so that they can in turn report them to the CT Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS).
Food has also been a major topic this week. I’ve spoken with farmers about the losses from floods and the potential for rising food costs as a result. I attended a program organized by CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) on Food Waste Prevention and Food Recovery. It was an excellent and informative update on various initiatives (and the work ahead): you can find the recording here; and a relevant webpage here. And later today I’ll be meeting with a local college student on composting initiatives at local schools, and participating in a roundtable conversation in Washington on food insecurity.
There are so many events this weekend that I got the dates confused during my video. Here are a few of them (with correct dates I hope!):
- Canaan Railroad Days: through Sunday, July 23
- Kent Summer Concert Series: concert on Friday, July 21 at 5:30pm at Kent Land Trust Field
- Cornwall July Fest Celebration: Friday, July 21 at 5:00pm on the Cornwall Village Green, featuring music, games, food and fun!
- Country Fest at Washington Depot: join Washington Parks & Rec on Saturday, July 22, at 5:00pm for a night of country music
- Lime Rock Park: the IMSA Northeast Grand Prix takes place this weekend on Saturday July 21 and Sunday July 22.
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Table of contents:
- DEEP Funding Opportunity. Click here
- CT is a Leader on Tax Relief. Click here
- CT is a Leader in Reproductive Rights. Click here
- Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG) awarded $1.2 million grant to establish Northwest Hills Community Health Network of Connecticut. Click here
- Unemployment Benefits Fraud and Identity Theft. Click here
- Kent Summer Concert Series. Click here
- 16th Annual Jane Lloyd Fund Clambake. Click here
- 16th Annual Norfolk Art Exhibition. Click here
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DEEP has a number of funding opportunities for currently available for food waste diversion, residential solar programs, recycling of consumer electronics, climate resilience, and open space, just to name a few. Check out the full selection here.
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My colleagues and I delivered on our promise to lower taxes for those who need the most help. According to a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Connecticut is a leader on tax relief for low- and middle-income earners. While other states cut taxes for the wealthy and corporations, Connecticut stands out for providing nearly $500 million in relief for individuals and families.
Below are some of the highlights of tax relief we passed this year:
- Lowering the income tax rates to save many middle-class households $300-$500 a year
- Raising the state income tax credit from 30.5% to 40% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit - providing $210 on average for households earning less than $60,000 per year
- Expanding an existing exemption for certain pension and annuity earnings, providing additional financial security for retirees and those close to retirement
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| We know that when our most vulnerable get the support they deserve, they can support Connecticut's continued growth. |
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In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's devastating decision overturning Roe v. Wade, I am pleased that Connecticut has been a national leader in passing a number of measures defending residents, healthcare workers, and those from out-of-state seeking reproductive services and resources.
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To further protect reproductive rights in our state, a number of bills we passed last session were recently signed into law including:
- Public Act 23-128, which enacts protections for Connecticut medical providers who offer reproductive health care services against adverse actions taken by another state;
- Public Act 23-52, which allows pharmacists to prescribe birth control;
- Public Act 23-41, which increases access to reproductive health care services by college students at public institutions of higher education;
- Public Act 23-56, which establishes safeguards against the collection, sharing, and selling of personal data online, including health-related information; and
- Public Act 23-147, which improves maternal healthcare by expanding birthing hospitals in Connecticut.
Individuals seeking abortion services can call 1-866-CTCHOICE (1-866-282-4642) or click the button below to find providers available in their area, community services, and other useful resources.
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Connecticut remains committed to protecting a person's fundamental right to make their own decisions concerning their reproductive health and well-being.
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The Northwest Hills Council of Governments, Community Health & Wellness Center of Greater Torrington (CHWC), McCall Behavioral Health Network, and Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals, Inc., announced this week that the organizations have entered into a 4-year strategic partnership that will improve and increase access to behavioral healthcare treatment and services for adolescents ages 13 to 18 residing in the Northwest corner of the state.
The partnership leverages the existing provider’s clinical strengths and NHCOG’s expertise in regional planning and projects to create an adolescent behavioral healthcare network that will provide early identification, intervention, and treatment strategies related to mitigating toxic stress and trauma. CHWC, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) offering school-based mental health services, will conduct outreach and trauma screening in the schools they serve as well as provide access to adolescent psychiatric medication management.
Greenwoods Counseling & Referrals, Inc., a non-profit mental health provider, will also leverage their existing school-based mental health programs to provide outreach and trauma screening as well as act as the Care Coordinator for adolescents entering the care of network providers.
McCall Behavioral Health Network, another non-profit behavioral health provider, will provide access to their Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program, which will include cognitive and pharmaceutical therapies as needed.
NHCOG will serve as the network’s project lead, ensuring that project activities are completed and that program metrics are tracked and reported in compliance with the 4-year grant agreement.
The target population for the Northwest Hills Community Health Network of Connecticut
(NHCHN-CT) project is the estimated 12,250 youth ages 13-18 in Litchfield County. Youth in the county are experiencing anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, other disorders, or toxic stress. Together, network members will achieve efficiencies, expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of healthcare services and associated health outcomes.
This is the first time an organization in CT has been awarded this funding, so special congratulations are in order to all of the organizations which made this possible!
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SCAM ALERT!
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.
If you didn’t file for unemployment and received a 1099 form or monetary determination letter, you may be a victim of identity theft. Submit the CTDOL ID Theft Report Form immediately to report it (rb.gy/fuh3m). A CTDOL staff person will respond to your report.
The Connecticut Department of Labor continues to aggressively protect personal information by implementing safeguards, promoting resources, and educating claimants and Connecticut employers about fraud.
Important Links:
Connecticut Department of Labor: ct.gov/dol
Identity Theft Protection Form: rb.gy/fuh3m
CTDOL Integrity Unit: rb.gy/5iv0g |
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July 21 –2023 Summer Concert Series – graphic contained in attached email
Hosted by Kent Parks and Recreation, Kent Land Trust, Kent Lions Club, and Kent Greenhouse and Gardens. www.kentlandtrust.org and phone 860-488-9185
5:30pm-7:00pm at Kent Land Trust Field 37 S Main St.
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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.
Click here to forward to forward this email to a friend.
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Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative
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