COVID-19 Update:

Latest Executive Order, Latest from DOL, Appointees to Multi-state Council, Financial Aid for Nursing Homes, Student Loan Assistance, and More

Today’s updates include information released from the governor’s office, including his most recent executive order. Please note that by passing along this information to you, I am not advocating for, nor necessarily condemning, any of these orders or policy changes, but I do believe it is necessary for you to be aware of these announcements. In response to the executive orders, House Republican leadership has sent a letter to Governor Lamont expressing their concerns (and ours) about the impact of these new policies on state residents. I have provided more information on that letter below.

Updates from the Governor

Latest Executive Order (7DD)

Governor Lamont has issued a new executive order (7DD), which expands the definition of telehealth provider to include any licensed dentist, behavioral analyst, genetic counselor, music therapist, art therapist, and veterinarian. The order makes additional changes to state statutes regarding health care workers, including the suspension of continuing education requirements for healthcare providers, and more.

Read the governor’s explanation of 7DD: Click Here

Unemployment Claims Processing

The CT Department of Labor (DOL) has now processed 327,000 of the 402,000 unemployment claims that have been filed since March 13, 2020, which is around the time when the COVID-19 crisis reached the state. Since the implementation of software upgrades, DOL has reduced processing time by 50 percent, and it expects to reduce it even further (down to one week). Those applying for unemployment are encouraged to select direct deposit as this speeds up the process.

Today’s press release from CT DOL: Click Here

FAQ Document from DOL: Click Here

Governors Announce Appointees to Multi-State Council

The governors of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island have announced their appointments to the multi-state council to restore the regional economy. This group is separate from the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group, which will focus on similar efforts at the state level. The multi-state council includes three members from each state including a public health expert, a business/economic development expert, and each governor’s chief of staff. Click the link above to read the full release.

House Republican Leaders Send Letter to the Governor

While I appreciate the governor’s hard work during this unprecedented crisis, I am deeply concerned about the unintended consequences of his executive orders. In a letter to the governor (please click here to read the letter), House Republican Leader Themis Klarides and Deputy Leader Vincent Candelora raised a number of issues including a sharp rise in unemployment, an alarming increase in reports of domestic violence, the effects of isolation and social distancing on children, and the risk to people living with serious health conditions who have been denied access to elective medical procedures.

The leaders have asked the governor to appoint experts to the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group subgroups who have experience working with vulnerable populations. They also asked the governor for greater communication with the legislature and members of the public regarding plans to reopen the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone, and that is why we need more seats at the table so the entire state can be represented in the government’s plans to rebuild.

We ask the governor to take these recommendations under strong advisement. We ask him to consider children and the elderly who are experiencing anxiety and loneliness right now, the educators and students who are doing their best to teach and learn in a virtual environment, the parents who have taken on too many roles in their household all while trying to keep food on the table, those with serious health problems who may require special medical care, the unemployed whose lives have been upended by this global emergency, the small business owners who have had to close their doors permanently because they could not operate without foot traffic, and, unfortunately, so many others who are living in fear of an uncertain future.

If there was ever a time for the entire state to come together and move forward as one, this is it. We thank the governor for his consideration, and hope he works with us to help Connecticut back onto its feet.

Assistance for Nursing Homes

Governor Lamont has ordered his administration to increase Medicaid payments to the state’s 215 nursing home facilities by five percent, which is in addition to the previously announced ten percent increase. This increases payments to nursing homes by $65 million statewide. These funds will help facilities cover employee wages, staff retention bonuses, overtime compensation, shift incentive payments, visitor screening costs, personal protective equipment, cleaning and housekeeping supplies, and other expenses that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor also announced additional changes to the state’s Medicaid program.

Student Loan Payment Relief

It is important to remember the impact of COVID-19 on Connecticut students and young professionals. Governor Lamont, Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez, and leaders from other states have announced a deal with private student loan servicers to help borrowers not covered by the CARES Act, which only provides relief for borrowers of federal student loans. Click here to read the entire announcement.

2020 Legislative Session

The 2020 regular session will constitutionally adjourn on May 6, 2020 without any further action by the House or Senate. Instead, we will likely reconvene later this year for special session to address pressing matters and to ensure continuity of government. I will provide an update on this when possible. Click here to read more.

Latest COVID-19 Data for Connecticut

Below are the latest numbers from the Connecticut Department of Public Health:

• Statewide Confirmed COVID-19 Cases: 23,100

• Current Statewide COVID-19-Related Hospitalizations: 1,947

• Statewide Confirmed COVID-19 Fatalities: 1,639

• Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Griswold: 11

• Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Lisbon: 5

• Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Plainfield: 14

• Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Sterling: 2

• Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Voluntown: 3

This data is current as of 4:00 p.m. this afternoon (4/23/2020).

Additional Resources

As a reminder, these are the best regularly updated global, federal, and state resources:

Global

World Health Organization: Click Here

Federal

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Click Here

State

State of Connecticut Web Portal: Click Here

FAQ Document from Governor’s Office: Click Here

CT House Republicans Resource Page: Click Here

As always, never hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns about the state and local response to the COVID-19 crisis, or any state government issues. I am more than happy to speak with you directly, provide more information if possible, and to be a resource for you and your families.

Email: Brian.Lanoue@cga.ct.gov

Best,

State Rep. Brian Lanoue

45^th General Assembly District

Griswold, Lisbon, Plainfield, Sterling, Voluntown