By Norm Needleman, State Senator.
(Jan. 5, 2021) — Happy new year! I hope you and your family are staying healthy and safe. Please take a couple of minutes to read an important overview of several new laws that have gone into effect in 2021. Also, I want to share an update on the state’s response to COVID-19 and additional local developments.
New Laws that Took Effect on New Year’s Day
Every year, new laws go into effect on January 1, and this year is no exception. Among the many new changes happening in 2021 are:
- The third year of phasing in an income tax exemption for pension and annuity income will see those under income limits of $75,000 for single individuals and $100,000 for married people filing jointly gaining extra financial relief. As part of a seven-year phasing cycle, 2021 will see 42 percent pensions marked exempt from taxation. This is part of a seven-year phasing process that will see all income become exempt by 2025.
- State electric utilities must tell regulators how they plan for and respond to major weather events including snowstorms and hurricanes, with that information then used to set minimum staffing levels for future storms.
- The state Paid Family and Medical Leave Program begins, collecting money from residents to build up a fund allowing qualifying workers up to 12 weeks of paid leave from work in the event of serious illness in their family or to care for a newborn child.
- All police officers will be required to receive behavioral health assessments at least every five years.
What Are Your Legislative Priorities?
Every year, legislators compile lists of their priorities for the legislative session, which starts this week and continues through June. What are your priorities for the 2021 legislative session? If you have specific issues you’re focused on or can find ways to make Connecticut better, please submit them through this form. I’ll be reviewing them in the next few weeks and keeping them in mind as I continue working on policies benefitting not only our communities but the state as a whole.
Shoreline Adult Education Opens Registration For Spring 2021 Classes
Shoreline Adult Education has announced open registration for its catalog of free and highly affordable classes, with those interested in enrolling able to do so at www.shorelineadulted.org or over the phone by calling 203-488-5693.
Free academic programs are open to adult residents of Branford, Clinton, Guilford and North Branford, with out-of-town residents able to register for $50 per semester or $75 per year. Those offerings include high school diploma and GED program options, ESOL or English for Speakers of Other Languages, and a Citizenship Preparation class for anyone seeking U.S. Citizenship. All of those classes begin January 19. Shoreline is also offering affordable enrichment classes, with 74 different virtual and in-person offerings available including courses on estate planning, American sign language, retirement planning, computer basics, nature photography and cooking.
COVID-19
Connecticut One Of Just 8 States With 2+ Percent Of Population Vaccinated Against COVID-19
Governor Ned Lamont reported Monday that Connecticut has administered 75,180 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, making it just one of eight states in the country with more than 2 percent of its population vaccinated. Lamont said the state will finish all of its nursing home vaccination clinics for patients’ first dose of the two-dose shots by Friday. More than 85 locations statewide including hospitals, nursing homes and, soon, pharmacies to administer vaccinations. Not only did assisted living facilities start vaccinating as well on Monday, but many who received the first dose of their inoculations three weeks ago are receiving their second shots beginning Monday as well. That means in just weeks, tens of thousands of state residents will be protected against the deadly virus.
Additional Funding being Allocated to Connecticut Nursing Homes
Governor Lamont has announced there will be an additional $31.2 million, as well as continued support for COVID-19 recovery and alternate COVID recovery facilities, to support Connecticut’s nursing homes in their ongoing response to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This comes in addition to more than $150 million the state previously spent on nursing homes. The financial assistance will be given across two phases. One will be issued immediately that will cover November and December 2020 and the second will be issued for the period covering January and February 2021. This funding will ensure continuity and quality of care to Connecticut’s most vulnerable residents, while preventing the spread of infectious disease and increase the probability that nursing homes will qualify for the remaining cycles of federal Provider Relief Fund financial assistance.
Department of Education Seeking Contact Tracing Support Staff
The Connecticut Department of Education is seeking to hire support staff for a K-12 contact tracing program, hoping to better control and monitor the potential spread of COVID-19 among students, staff and faculty members. The contact tracing protocol involves finding individuals who came within close contact with infectious or potentially infectious individuals, isolating them and voluntarily quarantining them. The Department of Education, Department of Public Health and Connecticut Association of Schools are looking for experienced educators who can reach out to those who have been potentially exposed, educate them on what they need to do and provide them with the information they need to slow further spread of COVID-19 safely and securely. To apply, please fill out an application form here.
