Capitol Update 2.10.2021
Vaccine Eligibility Expanded to Ages 65+
Starting on Thursday, February 11th, residents between the ages of 65 and 74 will be eligible to schedule vaccination appointments. Currently “Phase 1b” is only open to those ages 75 and over, eventually this phase will include frontline essential workers and those ages 16-64 with certain pre-existing conditions. Appointments can be made online or by phone.
Vaccine Assistance Line Hours
Starting this Monday, the state’s vaccine appointment assistance line will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days a week. The phone number to call for vaccination scheduling is: 877-918-2224. Scheduling is also available via the link below:
Executive Order 10, 10A
Late last week, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 10. This order excludes individual stimulus payments from benefit eligibility calculations, suspends reapplication filing requirement for the additional veterans tax relief program, allows the use of commuter parking facilities as needed for testing and vaccination sites, relaxes restrictions on religious services, and more. On Monday, this order was followed by Executive Order 10A which extends the duration of most existing coronavirus related orders until April 19th.
DMV Online Renewal
The Department of Motor Vehicles announced new services which will enable residents to renew their driver’s licenses and non-driver ID cards online without having to visit an office in-person. The DMV’s new online renewal option has already been offered to residents whose driver’s license or non-driver ID expired within the last 45 days. As part of the soft-launch of the new service during the last two months, more than 20,000 individuals have already successfully renewed online.
Re-Start CT
Connecticut suffers from years of policy decisions that have made it inhospitable to job creators and increasingly unaffordable for its residents. The COVID-19 pandemic created new hurdles, and more than ever we need the legislature to take steps that prove to residents that their state government is willing to take action to improve their quality of life. Our state’s potential lies dormant, and our effort to restart Connecticut is driven by these principles:
- The cost of government should not be a burden on those it serves.
- New laws should resolve problems, not create them.
- Government’s purpose is to protect and serve people, not special interests.
- Public access and oversight are vital to government accountability.
- Restoring trust in government requires government to trust people to make their own best choices for themselves and their families.