By Norm Needleman, State Senator.
I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy. Please take a couple of minutes to read an update on COVID-19, housing assistance, and other new developments.
Take Back Our Grid: Sign the Petition
Join me in signing this petition to demand that private-sector public utility companies are held accountable to the public for their rates and for the services that you as a consumer expect and demand for your money. If you are tired of paying one of the highest electricity rates in the country, only to wait days and weeks for some private-sector electric company to restore your power after a storm, then take back the grid.
On Monday, I was joined by my co-chair and ranking members on the Energy and Technology Committee to unveil the ‘Take Back Our Grid Act.’ This legislation follows on the lack of response rates to turn power back on to residents across Connecticut after Tropical Storm Isaias hit. Line workers and response staff worked hard to clear downed trees and fix destroyed wires but management and executives performed significantly worse. This new legislation will work to improve the response efforts made should power go out in the future. Legislators plan to continue working through the September planned special session and the 2021 legislative session to achieve these key changes to state utility standards. The Act will have three major focuses should it be approved in future legislative sessions.
- First, it will attain justice for ratepayers, holding electric distribution companies legally liable for costs incurred during extended power outages. Proposals for this include requiring electric distribution companies to compensate residential customers who lose power for more than 48 hours $100 per day until power is restored, with additional compensation in place of up to $500 for medication expiring due to a power outage of more than 48 hours. Customers with medical hardships would also receive required back-up generators from utilities in the event of power outages lasting longer than a day. In seeking justice, the legislation would also bolster PURA’s ability to file civil penalties and change the legal liability of utility companies, removing limitations of liability for direct or consequential damages caused by service interruptions.
- Second, it will reform and require more from electric distribution companies by requiring minimum in-state payroll staffing, increasing the number of local workers who can respond to disasters, and mandating the burying of power lines where possible. Steps like these will allow for a stronger response in the event of future storms.
- Third, it will curb electric providers’ excessive profits. The legislation directs PURA to examine why electric rates are as high as they are, also reviewing whether utilities are making a profit on pass-through expenditures. It will also ensure all customer classes are represented in PURA proceedings, tie rate increases to corporate profits, find additional electric options including local renewable energy to decentralize the grid, and potentially freeze rate increases for up to two years.
So join me and click here to sign the petition in making sure private-sector public utility companies are held accountable. For more information on the Take Back Our Grid Act, you can click here.
Small Business Roundtable with Lt. Governor
Please join Lt. Governor Bysiewicz and me for a small business roundtable on Tuesday, August 25 at 4 p.m. The roundtable discussion will be available to watch via Facebook Live on my Facebook page. We will be joined by David Lehman, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), and Larry McHugh, President of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to answering your questions. To visit the Facebook event, click here.
COVID-19 Update
Connecticut Completes Millionth Test For COVID-19
This week, Connecticut reported its millionth COVID-19 diagnostic test has been recorded, another indication of extensive testing statewide that has allowed Connecticut to retain low levels of transmission of the virus through the summer. The extensive testing comes as state leaders continue to ensure testing is available to all residents of the state with symptoms or potential exposure related to COVID-19. Specific testing programs for higher-risk populations, including nursing home and assisted living residents and workers, direct care workers and clients, correctional facility staff and offenders, college students living on campus, individuals in group homes and residents of urban communities, have further led to success. Not only is testing effective, but in August, 75 percent of test results have been returned within 48 hours, compared to other states with less effective reporting. With continued social distancing, quarantining, mask-wearing and proper hygiene, these positive results can mitigate the potential of a second wave of the virus.
Tips for Parents Sending Kids Back to School
Connecticut Children’s has recently launched a “Back to School Kit” to help families prepare for and think through what going back to school may look like this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. Within the toolkit, Connecticut Children’s offers resources on how to help kids adjust to masks before school starts including 16 activities to practice mask wearing, 10 items to add to your child’s back-to-school supply list for COVID-19, and consulting a pediatrician about whether it is a good idea for your child with asthma to go back to school. To view the resources to help with an easier transition back-to-school, you can click here.
CT Residents Must Show Doctor’s Note to Prove They’re Exempt from Wearing Masks
Residents in Connecticut refusing to wear a mask in public must show written documentation from their doctor that they’re exempt due to medical reasons. Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz, who signed this executive order, said those claiming to be exempt must provide written documentation that the person is qualified for the exemption from a licensed medical provider, the Department of Developmental Services or other state agency that provides or supports services for people with emotional, intellectual or physical disabilities, or a person authorized by any such agency. The documentation doesn’t need to name or describe the condition. Masks or face coverings must be worn by those over the age of two when in a taxi, ride-share, public transit or in any public space where social distancing is not possible.
Back-To-School Internet Safety Tips
As students head back to school, teachers and students are going to be using more online learning because of the coronavirus and as the school year approaches, it is important for children to stay safe online when they are using computers and tablets. Parents should be aware of several things including creating accounts on websites without permission, contests and giveaways, phishing, understanding apps, and file sharing sites. Adults are not the only ones who receive spam and junk mail. Children often get junk mail and are more likely to click on links and provide answers they should. For more information and tips on keeping children safe online, click here.
Housing Update
Temporary Rental Housing Assistance Program Expanded – More Applicants Can Apply
The Department of Housing in July introduced the Temporary Rental Housing Assistance Program, or THRAP, to assist renters and tenants in arrears or struggling to pay rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Intended to benefit both renters and landlords, the THRAP is available to any tenant with income below 80 percent of area median income. Renters are asked to apply before any eviction processes are started. Funded with federal CARES Act money, the program was originally only open to tenants who had applied for and been denied unemployment compensation, but has been opened to anyone experiencing arrears or issues paying rent regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. To apply for THRAP, please visit this link.
Housing Assistance Program Funding Doubled To $20 Million
In addition to today’s eviction moratorium announcement, the state will double funding for rental assistance for Connecticut residents impacted by COVID-19 to $20 million. The rental assistance program provides payments to landlords on behalf of tenant applicants. It is administered by the Department of Housing, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and 11 housing counseling agencies statewide. To date, the state has now committed $43.3 million in funds to support renters, homeowners and landlords impacted by COVID-19, with large cities receiving another $10 million under the CARES Act Emergency Solution Grants program. In addition to direct financial support, these programs also include housing counseling to help renters and homeowners better prepare for the future.
Extension to be Given on Banning Evictions
Governor Lamont says he will be extending the ban on evictions until October 1. Tenants have been shielded from evictions since April when an executive order was signed restricting landlords and courts from removing renters unless they pose a danger to others residents or property. Gov. Lamont says he plans to give tenants six more weeks to catch up on rent.
Stand Down 2020 Event being held by CT Department of Veterans Affairs
The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) will be hosting STAND DOWN 2020 this September. This one-stop access event will help to provide programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, veterans organizations and community Based Non-profits. The event will be held on two days, Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25. On Thursday, a kickoff ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. at the DVA Rocky Hill Campus followed by online informational sessions and webinars.
On Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the DVA will coordinate distribution of personal need items to veterans at four locations. DVA Rocky Hill Campus, 287 West Street in Rocky Hill, Patrick Waldron Veterans Hall, 23 Memorial Dr. in Danbury, Port 5 National Assoc. of Naval Veterans, 69 Brewster St. in Bridgeport, and Veterans Rally Point/Easter Seals, 24 Stott Ave. in Norwich. These locations will be staffed by representatives of the regional Vet Centers, the CT Bar Association and the DVA to provide benefits information, pro-bono legal services and potential free COVID-19 testing by medical professionals.
