Senate Extends Outdoor Food, Beverage Service by Restaurants into 2022, Preserving Popular Restaurant Pandemic Operations
Today, the State Senate voted 34-0 to approve legislation that will extend outdoor dining activity at restaurants through March 31, 2022. The legislation, which has no fiscal impact, establishes a process by which local zoning officials can allow or expand outdoor dining at restaurants. It also specifies that any outdoor dining activity previously authorized by executive order will be approved though March 31, 2022. State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) today voted in support; the bill now heads to the Governor’s office to be signed into law.
“When considering the public health needs of the pandemic, we also must consider our economy and the myriad businesses needing to continue operations,” said Sen. Anwar. “Outdoor dining was and is a safer way to dine during these challenging times, and has seen benefits in revitalizing Main Streets and downtown areas in many towns. This bill continues this option for restaurants and leaves the door open for potential permanent action.”
House Bill 6610, “An Act Concerning The Provision of Outdoor Food and Beverage Service By Restaurants,” was amended last week during its passage in the House. Under its language, if adopted, zoning or planning officials would have the power to expand or permit outdoor activities for restaurants to respond to or provide economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any permit for outdoor eating would not require significant paperwork such as site surveys or traffic studies to expedite the approval process outside of information that could impact public health, safety or the environment. Any applications filed would be responded to within ten days of receipt, and any appeals process after a potential rejection would need to be filed within a week.
Notably, municipalities wishing to permanently expand the availability of outdoor dining and retail activity would be allowed to expedite permanent changes to their zoning rules. In the future, the legislation could be expanded to enable permanent expanded outdoor dining in its current state.
Otherwise, the legislation holds preexisting standards for outdoor activities, such as specific spacing and zoning for outdoor dining that does not interfere with local pathways and are subject to reasonable standards, such as compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As the COVID-19 pandemic struck in spring 2020, restaurants struggled under limitations imposed on their businesses by public safety standards. Expansion of outdoor dining led to increased safety and comfort for diners, leading to benefits for the businesses adopting them. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control found patients who reported dining inside a restaurant were 2.4 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic.
Senate Extends Outdoor Food, Beverage Service by Restaurants into 2022, Preserving Popular Restaurant Pandemic Operations
Senate Extends Outdoor Food, Beverage Service by Restaurants into 2022, Preserving Popular Restaurant Pandemic Operations
Today, the State Senate voted 34-0 to approve legislation that will extend outdoor dining activity at restaurants through March 31, 2022. The legislation, which has no fiscal impact, establishes a process by which local zoning officials can allow or expand outdoor dining at restaurants. It also specifies that any outdoor dining activity previously authorized by executive order will be approved though March 31, 2022. State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) today voted in support; the bill now heads to the Governor’s office to be signed into law.
“I think expanded outdoor dining was clearly a bright spot when considering the hardships and restrictions that came with the worst public health crisis of our lifetime,” said Sen. Kushner. “While this was helpful to restaurants throughout the district, I think this could potential help in revitalizing Danbury’s downtown, and lead to many positive changes. This bill continues this option for restaurants, and could lead to permanent state and local changes.”
House Bill 6610, “An Act Concerning The Provision of Outdoor Food and Beverage Service By Restaurants,” was amended last week during its passage in the House. Under its language, if adopted, zoning or planning officials would have the power to expand or permit outdoor activities for restaurants to respond to or provide economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any permit for outdoor eating would not require significant paperwork such as site surveys or traffic studies to expedite the approval process outside of information that could impact public health, safety or the environment. Any applications filed would be responded to within ten days of receipt, and any appeals process after a potential rejection would need to be filed within a week.
Notably, municipalities wishing to permanently expand the availability of outdoor dining and retail activity would be allowed to expedite permanent changes to their zoning rules. In the future, the legislation could be expanded to enable permanent expanded outdoor dining in its current state.
Otherwise, the legislation holds preexisting standards for outdoor activities, such as specific spacing and zoning for outdoor dining that does not interfere with local pathways and are subject to reasonable standards, such as compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As the COVID-19 pandemic struck in spring 2020, restaurants struggled under limitations imposed on their businesses by public safety standards. Expansion of outdoor dining led to increased safety and comfort for diners, leading to benefits for the businesses adopting them. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control found patients who reported dining inside a restaurant were 2.4 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic.
Senate Extends Outdoor Food, Beverage Service by Restaurants into 2022, Preserving Popular Restaurant Pandemic Operations
Senate Extends Outdoor Food, Beverage Service by Restaurants into 2022, Preserving Popular Restaurant Pandemic Operations
Today, the State Senate voted 34-0 to approve legislation that will extend outdoor dining activity at restaurants through March 31, 2022. The legislation, which has no fiscal impact, establishes a process by which local zoning officials can allow or expand outdoor dining at restaurants. It also specifies that any outdoor dining activity previously authorized by executive order will be approved though March 31, 2022. State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) today voted in support; the bill now heads to the Governor’s office to be signed into law.
“Outdoor dining was one of the few silver linings of this past year,” said Sen. Haskell. “It helped keep businesses open and transformed neighborhoods for the better as we all did our best to stay healthy. Today, I was pleased to vote in favor of continuing outdoor operations so that businesses and customers alike can get through this pandemic and perhaps emerge stronger than before.”
House Bill 6610, “An Act Concerning The Provision of Outdoor Food and Beverage Service By Restaurants,” was amended last week during its passage in the House. Under its language, if adopted, zoning or planning officials would have the power to expand or permit outdoor activities for restaurants to respond to or provide economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any permit for outdoor eating would not require significant paperwork such as site surveys or traffic studies to expedite the approval process outside of information that could impact public health, safety or the environment. Any applications filed would be responded to within ten days of receipt, and any appeals process after a potential rejection would need to be filed within a week.
Notably, municipalities wishing to permanently expand the availability of outdoor dining and retail activity would be allowed to expedite permanent changes to their zoning rules. In the future, the legislation could be expanded to enable permanent expanded outdoor dining in its current state.
Otherwise, the legislation holds preexisting standards for outdoor activities, such as specific spacing and zoning for outdoor dining that does not interfere with local pathways and are subject to reasonable standards, such as compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As the COVID-19 pandemic struck in spring 2020, restaurants struggled under limitations imposed on their businesses by public safety standards. Expansion of outdoor dining led to increased safety and comfort for diners, leading to benefits for the businesses adopting them. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control found patients who reported dining inside a restaurant were 2.4 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic.
State Sen. Patricia Billie Miller (opinion): A Right to Read, for Every Student
State Sen. Patricia Billie Miller (opinion): A Right to Read, for Every Student
What actions can we take right away to both respond to the inequity that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated to invest in a better, brighter future for all our Connecticut students?
For years I’ve led legislative efforts to improve the way Connecticut students are taught to read. Literacy is the foundation of all future learning, so students who struggle early to develop good reading skills often fall behind in all subjects, with serious implications for their future.
As measured before the pandemic in the statewide assessment of English Language Arts, nearly half of Connecticut’s public school students fell short of grade-level reading expectations, and outcomes were significantly lower for students of color.
This is the result of Connecticut’s “hands-off” approach to reading, which has failed to properly train all educators and to require proven, evidence-based practices and programs in every classroom. But this story isn’t new.
What is new is that the pandemic — which has exacerbated learning losses before our very eyes, in front of our computer screens, and at our kitchen tables — has allowed parents, advocacy groups, and state leaders to focus on this issue as a genuine crisis. If reading and writing are fundamental to our students and to Connecticut’s future, why aren’t we more intentional and effective at teaching our students so that they are able to meet or exceed grade-level expectations.
The good news is, we absolutely know how to get this right. In 2012, the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus developed the “Connecticut K-3 Literacy Initiative” (CK3LI), which was piloted with the UConn Neag School of Education. The program uses what’s known as “the science of reading,” relying on cognitive and educational research to build professional development in evidence-based literacy practices in Connecticut school districts.
Four years later, in 2016, a review of the pilot found that participating schools had more than doubled the number of students meeting grade-level goals for literacy, and had dramatically shrunk the number of students at risk for reading failure. It was a resounding success.
Now, after years of a sluggish push to expand the effort statewide, we have a willing and invested public, motivated legislative leaders, and an influx of new federal resources. The time is ripe for Connecticut to declare that, “Every student has a right to read!”
That’s why I’ve introduced legislation to build a statewide, research-based response to literacy. My bill (HB 6620) will finally acknowledge that there is a proven method for literacy instruction, and that we need to use it in all of our Connecticut classrooms. Our students are entitled to it. With the passage of this legislation, we’ll build an independent Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success that will review every school districts’ reading curricula to ensure that it’s aligned with the science of reading.
We’ll provide professional development and coaching to educators; collaborate with educator preparation programs so that teachers are also trained in these evidence-based practices before they join the classroom; and we’ll set the state up for an influx of federal dollars now available to launch and sustain this comprehensive plan.
A statewide crisis demands a statewide response that is thoughtful, comprehensive, and up-to-date, using the best research that tells us how young minds learn to read. Growing up, I knew that education was my way out of poverty — but it took literacy to access that educational opportunity. After everything students have endured through this pandemic, we owe them all this same chance. Each and every child has a right to read, and I’m committed to ensuring that right for all.
Legislation Designating Connecticut Race Amity Day Receives Public Hearing
Legislation Designating Connecticut Race Amity Day Receives Public Hearing
Today, the Government Administration and Elections Committee held a public hearing considering legislation that would make the second Sunday of June Connecticut Race Amity Day. State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) endorsed the legislation, citing the importance of officially recognizing goodwill for all and celebrating the diverse histories and cultures comprising Connecticut’s population.
“One of the things that makes Connecticut great is the diverse styles and cultures of our millions of residents,” said Sen. Anwar. “Diversity gives us opportunities to experience and understand more of the world, coming together as humans, and for that, I fully support efforts to celebrate and commemorate our togetherness as one species.”
Among the designations made by House Bill 6652, “An Act Designating Various Days, Weeks and Months,” is that the second Sunday of June would be named Connecticut Race Amity Day, “to reflect and affirm the dignity of the diverse racial, cultural and religious backgrounds of the residents of the state.” Exercises to commemorate the occasion may be held in the State Capitol and elsewhere as designated.
Senator Needleman Endorses Legislation Fighting Suicide, Supporting Mental Health in Public Health Public Hearing
Senator Needleman Endorses Legislation Fighting Suicide, Supporting Mental Health in Public Health Public Hearing
State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today endorsed the Public Health Committee’s public hearing today regarding two important pieces of legislation focused on fighting and preventing suicide and supporting mental health, recognizing the importance of supporting and helping individuals who may be struggling and would benefit from additional resources. The legislation would respectively require continuing education for medical providers regarding suicide prevention and improve how mental and behavioral health services statewide are administered.
“Connecticut’s population loses hundreds of people per year who die by suicide,” said Sen. Needleman. “We lose hundreds of friends, of brothers and sisters, children and parents, and each one of their absences leaves a wide, gaping hole in their loved ones’ lives. The suicide epidemic, especially among Connecticut’s youth, must be fought with every resource we have. That’s why I endorse the legislation heard today by the Public Health Committee. Every life these efforts save makes them incredibly worthwhile, and as such, I plan to give them my support on the Senate floor if given the opportunity.”
The Public Health Committee today passed two important bills focused on suicide and mental health support:
- Senate Bill 1085, “An Act Concerning Suicide Prevention,” would establish a Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board, additionally requiring continuing medical education regarding suicide prevention. Specifically, the board, comprised of medical and government officials, would be tasked with fighting youth suicide and advertising suicide prevention for all state residents, including developing suicide prevention programs for various age groups in the population. Medical professionals will also be asked to receive at least one hour of training in suicide prevention in addition to other education they undergo when renewing their medical licenses.
- Senate Bill 1086, “An Act Concerning Mental and Behavioral Health Services,” seeks to improve the provision of mental and behavioral health services in Connecticut. Among its changes include allowing minors to receive more than six sessions of mental health treatment without parental consent if such consent would be detrimental to the minor; annual physicals would include mental health examinations; and medical providers cannot use “step therapy,” or the gradual approach of using less expensive strategies for care first, in treating individuals receiving drugs for longer than sixty days or in receiving treatment of a behavioral health condition.
State Senator Matt Lesser Applauds Agreement Made to Extend Title Sponsorship of Travelers Championship with PGA Tour Through 2030
State Senator Matt Lesser Applauds Agreement Made to Extend Title Sponsorship of Travelers Championship with PGA Tour Through 2030
State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), co-chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, is applauding the agreement made between the Travelers Companies, Inc. and the PGA TOUR to extend Travelers’ title sponsorship of the Travelers Championship through 2030. As part of the sponsorship extension, Travelers will remain the Official Property Casualty Insurance Provider of the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and Korn Ferry Tour. The Travelers Championship takes place at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, which is one of the five towns in the 9th district Sen. Lesser represents.
“As Cromwell’s state Senator and co-chair of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee, I’m thrilled by Traveler’s corporate citizenship and by its renewed commitment to Cromwell and to the Traveler’s Championship,” said Sen. Lesser. “This is tremendous news for tourism and local jobs as we work to build back a better economy. The Travelers Championship is Connecticut’s only PGA tour stop and I’m glad to see the TPC River Highlands remain a world class golf destination.”
State Senator Matt Lesser and Representative Kerry Wood Release Statement Following Possible Merger Between Chubb and the Hartford
State Senator Matt Lesser and Representative Kerry Wood Release Statement Following Possible Merger Between Chubb and the Hartford
Today, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Newington), Chair of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee, and state Representative Kerry Wood, co-Chair of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee, released a statement regarding Chubb’s bid for property and casualty insurer The Hartford.
“The merger bid raises serious questions about whether a merger involving The Hartford would serve the public interest,” said Sen. Lesser. “The Insurance & Real Estate Committee is prepared to provide an extraordinary level of scrutiny and oversight. Our next step is to schedule oversight hearings to examine the potential impact on policyholders and the public. As committee chairs we have a duty to oversee Connecticut’s Insurance Department and all matters pertaining to the insurance marketplace; we also hold inherent subpoena powers and we are reviewing appropriate oversight options with legal counsel. I trust The Hartford board’s judgement in rejecting Chubb’s offer, but our concerns are only mounting as we look at the details of Chubb’s rejected bid.”
“When a 211-year-old Connecticut insurer is being considered for a takeover by an overseas entity, it’s our job as legislators to get to the bottom of how this affects consumers and our local job market,” said Rep. Wood. “I look forward to a fully transparent process that includes a hearing in front of our Insurance & Real Estate Committee in the upcoming weeks.”
The Hartford was given an unexpected offer from Chubb which valued the 211-year-old company at approximately $23 billion. The Hartford’s board of directors declined the offer.
Sen. Hartley Joins Governor Lamont, Local Legislators to Call for Increased Funding for the Waterbury Branch Line
Sen. Hartley Joins Governor Lamont, Local Legislators to Call for Increased Funding for the Waterbury Branch Line
State Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury), Co-Chair of the Waterbury Rail Line Caucus (WRLC), joined Governor Lamont, Lt. Governor Bysiewicz, a bipartisan group of state legislators and municipal leaders representing parts of the Naugatuck Valley, state officials, and the Connecticut Commuter Rail Council to underscore the regional and economic benefits of increasing funding for the Metro North’s Waterbury Branch line to improve train service and reliability.
“Greater frequency and reliability of service on the Waterbury Branch line directly addresses an issue that is first and foremost in Connecticut, which is connecting people to their jobs, homes and communities,” stated Sen. Hartley. “I want to thank Governor Lamont for his recognition of the benefits an improved branch line which will have on the region and recommending an increase in funding. The funding and improvements to the branch line will trigger exponential economic growth throughout the Naugatuck Valley. I am proud to be part of a passionate collective effort of state legislators, town, and city officials who have worked hard to advocate for investments to the Waterbury Branch line.”
Click Here to Watch Sen. Hartley’s Remarks
The biennial budget recommended by Gov. Lamont would allocate $1,227,689 for FY 2023 to increase the number of trains servicing the rail line from 15 to 22 on weekdays and 12 to 15 on the weekends. These funds would further the completion of a $120 million capital project by the Department of Transportation to make a series of upgrades to the rail line including:
- Modern bi-directional rail service
- Bridge repairs to three major rail bridges in the Naugatuck Valley region including a bridge located in Naugatuck
- Signal and communications upgrades
This proposed funding increase follows years of advocacy by the bipartisan Waterbury Rail Line Caucus to initiate and fund improvements that will provide better service to residents and tourists, plus lead to economic development in the municipalities around the branch line.
State Senator Marilyn Moore Supports Bills in Human Services Committee that will Strengthen Infrastructure of Nursing Homes and Improve Upon Lessons Learned from the Pandemic
State Senator Marilyn Moore Supports Bills in Human Services Committee that will Strengthen Infrastructure of Nursing Homes and Improve Upon Lessons Learned from the Pandemic
State Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) is showing support for multiple bills that will now be voted on for approval by the Human Services Committee following today’s public hearing. As chair of the committee, Sen. Moore believes these bills will help strengthen the infrastructure of nursing homes and improve upon lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic.
“The Covid-19 pandemic amplified the need to prepare for any future public health emergency should one arise again,” said Senator Moore. “We have taken into consideration voices of the community, residents, caregivers, and providers to create bills that will provide assurance that there are policies to provide emotional and psychological support in the future. The unexpected pandemic put a strain on families and their loved ones. The services outlined in these bills would contribute and strengthen services and supports to implement a more effective way to handle the mental toll such a pandemic would take on those living in long-term care facilities in the future and their families. We can only take what we have learned and apply new methods and policies to improve upon the well-being of the residents in Connecticut.”
Senate Bill 6634, An Act Concerning Essential Support Persons And A State-wide Visitation Policy For Residents Of Long-term Care Facilities, was introduced following the coronavirus pandemic. Under this bill, as presented, a state-wide policy would be put into place to allow visitation with a long-term care facility resident. A long-term care facility resident would designate an essential support person who may visit and support their physical, emotional, psychological, and socialization needs despite other visitation restrictions. With the coronavirus pandemic, several residents in long-term facilities were unable to see their loved ones out of the health and safety concerns brought forward from an unknown virus. Within this bill, if a public health emergency is declared again in the future and long-term facilities restrict visitors, arrangements for visitation will be made for outdoor visitation, virtual visitation, and indoor visitation for residents nearing the end of his or her life. All visitations allowed will have to follow specific safety protocols.
Senate Bill 1057, An Act Concerning Nursing Homes, was also created following the impact the coronavirus pandemic had on these particular facilities. This particular bill would change the minimum staffing levels at nursing home facilities throughout Connecticut. This bill would create requirements for nursing homes to have approximately four hours of direct care per resident including 45 minutes of care by a registered nurse, approximately 32 minutes of licensed practical nurse care, and approximately two hours and 45 minutes of care by a certified nurse’s assistant.
House Bill 6637, An Act Concerning State-wide Mental Health Services For Deaf, Deaf-blind And Hard Of Hearing Persons, would enact a state-wide mental health services programs that allow a deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing person the right to mental health services that accommodate the unique needs of each person including these services to be given to them in their primary language and communication mode. The state-wide mental health services program would include options that provide services that include sign language interpreting, video relay telecommunications, captioning, telehealth, and telemedicine services. Telehealth and telemedicine services proved to be a viable choice to protect the safety and health of people during the pandemic and with these resources, the deaf community would be able to continue to use services that make them feel comfortable. The program would also include an adequate allocation of state resources and funding to ensure this program provides appropriate mental health services to the deaf community. HB 6637 would also put together an advisory committee that would identify gaps in services, necessary resources, and funding, and assist long-range planning to provide mental health needs to each person.