Posted on January 31, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors,
There are some substantive issues that are up for discussion and vote in the upcoming legislative session in Hartford. The legislature is considering bills that would legalize recreational marijuana, permit sports gambling, improve utility regulation, impose new state-level property taxes and enact state-mandated zoning rules. Please click HERE to take a short survey and give me your opinion on these issues.
Here is a quick summary –
1. Legalizing marijuana usage for recreation…
Posted on January 27, 2021
Today, I joined my colleagues and asked the members of the Public Health Emergency Committee to review and vote on the governor’s extension of his executive powers until April 20.
As a member of the General Assembly, I want to make sure the voices of my constituents are heard and not silenced. I hope the committee will carefully look at this request.
Posted on January 21, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors,
I have advocated that our seniors be given priority access to the COVID vaccine. In my Op-ed, I reasoned how allocating 90% of vaccines by descending order of age would save thousands of lives. I thank Governor Lamont and his administration for listening and prioritizing seniors. The state Department of public health (DPH) is focused on vaccinating our seniors in two tiers.
Ages 75 or older: Everyone in this age bracket is eligible RIGHT NOW and can schedule an appointment…
Posted on January 19, 2021
COVID related closures have imposed severe economic hardship on so many in our community. Our government has instituted a number of programs to provide economic assistance. These different programs like PPP, PUA, FPUC, DECD grants, EIDL, EIP can be confusing. Find below a description of the various programs and how to access them.
Unemployment Assistance (FPUC, PUA, PEUC) – The traditional unemployment assistance has been expanded by the Federal government. There are up to 50 weeks of unemployment…
Posted on January 15, 2021
Starting Monday, January 18, 2021, Phase 1b of the vaccine distribution program will begin. While 1b includes many groups (listed here), those state residents over the age of 75 are first up and can begin to schedule appointments here to receive the vaccine.
If you fall into any one of the other Phase 1b eligibility categories due to your job, and have not yet heard from your employer – please be patient. Your employer will be coordinating your COVID-19 vaccination process and more information should…
Posted on January 15, 2021
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, is re-opening the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan program.
Effective Tuesday, January 19, 2021 all participating PPP loans should be available to all qualifying businesses. The program has changed to be more flexible for all small businesses, more helpful to hard hit restaurants and more accessible to micro-businesses. For more information go here.
Posted on January 12, 2021
State Rep. Harry Arora discussing 2021 Labor Committee Priorities focusing on rebuilding the state’s economy post-Covid.
Posted on January 4, 2021
Dear friends and neighbors,
Happy New Year. Thanks to all of you who joined the conversation last week with CT COO Josh Gaballe focused on the prioritization and distribution of the COVID vaccine. Here are the important takeaways:
Vaccine administration process for those eligible NOW
CT has started COVID vaccinations under Phase 1a, which covers healthcare workers, long term care residents & staff, and first responders. HERE is a detailed description of who is eligible. Those eligible under Phase…
