Capitol Update: Upcoming Session, A Paving Project, Legislative Internship Program, Riverton Happenings, and Earth Day Events
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This is a Capitol update with only three weeks to go in the legislative session. During a pause between committee work wrapping up and the sprint to the finish, I was able to support the legislative internship’s mock session at the Capitol and attend events in the village of Riverton. DOT starts a paving project on Route 219 below the Saville Dam in Barkhamsted and New Hartford on Monday. See below for more information. Earth Day is quickly approaching so I have also included some details on local clean-up opportunities this weekend. |
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Upcoming Session Details… |
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The House will be in session frequently over the coming weeks until we adjourn on Wednesday, May 8th. There are over 600 bills that await action. Some of these will be merged, and some will not be called for a vote in both chambers so end up “dying” when session ends. You can follow the drama on the Connecticut Network by clicking here or on your local cable network. Among the bills still alive is HB 5355: AN ACT CONCERNING THE WATER RESOURCES OF THE UPPER FARMINGTON RIVER VALLEY introduced by Senator Seminara and myself and linked here. If passed, this bill will immediately give the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) a proactive role in taming erratic water flow out of the Colebrook River Lake and Goodwin Dams. For long term flow planning, DEEP would oversee a study on how to better manage Upper Farmington River flow for all purposes, which is now lacking. the absence of integrated management has threatened aquatic life and recreation opportunities of this pristine resource which Congress has designated a Wild and Scenic River. The Lower Farmington River is also federally-designated as Wild and Scenic. Today, American Rivers named the Farmington River one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers due to apparent mismanagement of the Rainbow Dam in Windsor. Here is a link to that story. DEEP has described the Farmington River as the “top priority watershed in the state.” Along with Senator Seminara, I have made passage of HB 5355 my top priority this session. On other matters, the constitutional purpose of this short session is to make adjustments to the current two-year state budget. The Appropriations Committee hit its deadline to put forth a budget, but failed to craft any recommendations or changes. This failure will make the budget process much more difficult to navigate before we adjourn for the year. House and Senate Republicans will release a sensible proposed budget adjustment for public review before the end of the month. If adjustments are not approved by our adjournment date, then a special session – one that will cost taxpayers additional money – is imminent. |
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Level and Resurfacing on Route 219 in New Hartford and Barkhamsted… |
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The CTDOT is announcing that a level and resurfacing will be performed on Route 219 in New Hartford and Barkhamsted from opposite of the east branch of the Farmington River (0.20 miles south of Route 318) starting Monday, April 22, 2024. The project consists of leveling and resurfacing a 2.69 mile segment of Route 219 in New Hartford and Barkhamsted. The leveling of this project is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 22 and end on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. This project is included in CTDOT’s 2024 Vendor Resurfacing Program. LANE CLOSURE INFORMATION: Motorists can expect delays and one lane alternating Traffic. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. The regular work schedule for this project is 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. |
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Legislative Internship Program… |
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Last week, the legislative internship program concluded its business for the year with a mock session. I had the pleasure of assisting one of the interns prepare for the event. Students enrolled in the program went through debate and took action on several bill proposals that they wrote. The program is open to Connecticut college students and residents of the state who are attending out-of-state schools. For more information on the program, click here. |
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Shops at Riverton Grand Opening… |
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Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a ribbon cutting, marking the beginning of expanded shopping opportunities for folks across the 62nd District. Congratulations and welcome to Bill and Bryan on the occasion of the grand opening of the Shops at Riverton! Check out 60 unique vendors under one historic roof in a very special corner of Connecticut. |
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David K. Leff Trail Opening… |
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A few days later and just down the street from the Shops at Riverton, I participated in the unveiling of the David K. Leff “Hidden in Plain Sight” Trail dedicated to environmentalist David K. Leff (1955-2022). This flat 1/2 mile loop was made possible by the Friends of American Legion and Peoples State Forests (FALPS), Hartland Historical Society, Barkhamsted Historical Society, Farmington River Coordinating Committee (FRCC), Farmington River Angler’s Association, Hart Lumber, and DEEP. This trail is a gem at the end of School Street where this is a small parking lot. |
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Earth Day Clean-ups… |
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On Saturday, April 20, the Farmington River Anglers Association will host its 4th annual Earth Day river clean-up. The clean up takes place from Collinsville to Hogback. |
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The Granby Land Trust is hosting an Earth Day Roadside Cleanup from April 18 – 22.This is a DIY event. You simply choose the street or neighborhood you’d like to tidy, then send the land trust an email at info@granbylandtrust.org to let them know where you plan to work. |