A Conversation with Connecticut Lawmakers

We planned for an in-person round table between the UConn student body and our state representatives, but then a pandemic came to the United States. However, lawmakers’ decisions continue to affect our daily lives, whether it be our various states of housing, food access, and taxes.

The USG External Affairs Committee asked UConn students for questions they have for our lawmakers. Those who participated provided their responses. This dialogue is integral, not only for providing clarity in this confusing moment, but also to spark progress when the legislature returns to session.

How are you still representing your community during this time? Since the legislature is not in session, how do you plan to implement policy initiatives in the meantime?

Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (5th District): While COVID-19 has forced my offices to adjust to a new reality however, we have not stopped working for the people in my district. My office is closed to keep in compliance with local guidance, but my team has transitioned to telework. We are still communicating daily with local constituents and stakeholders via email, phone and Zoom calls. I am on conference calls with my colleagues in Congress on a daily basis. We discuss how to best serve all of our constituents during this difficult time.

In the meantime, Congress has passed three major relief packages providing trillions to help combat the spread of this deadly virus with funding to help hospitals, protect frontline workers, expand nutrition and Unemployment Insurance Programs, and provide immediate relief to small businesses and the American people. As part of my work to shape these programs, I have sent dozens of letters to leadership requesting specific provisions be included, like protections to renters and student borrowers, resources for child care providers, farmers, and funding for mental health services, Community Healthy Centers, and domestic violence services. The CARES Act, passed just weeks ago by Congress, provides institutions of higher education with $14.25 billion in immediate relief. These funds will be used to support the transition to distance learning, and grants to support students for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

I have also helped introduce a multitude of new bills that would ensure that families have access to additional food assistance programs, that patients with COVID-19 would not have to pay for testing or treatment, and frontline workers get student debt relief for their brave efforts. To date, my office has cosponsored 45 bills and sent 110 letters to House and Senate leadership, administration officials, businesses, and community leaders.

Representative Gregory Haddad (54th District): I work on constituent concerns remotely from my home, as all legislators are currently doing. Non-COVID related policy legislation is not currently under active consideration. The constitutionally mandated end of session in May 6 and it is very unlikely that the legislature will reconvene before that date, effectively killing all remaining bills. On COVID-related concerns, my colleagues and I discuss immediate concerns by phone and through our leadership, we influence the composition of the Governor’s executive orders. He has broad authority to act in a crisis like this one, without formal legislative approval.

I remain concerned that the census count is being disrupted because of the large displacement of certain populations and hope that students and others will be counted and counted appropriately.

I am concerned that Higher Education Institutions have been extremely hard hit by the COVID pandemic. UConn alone will credit almost $30M to students for unused housing and food services and expects a loss of up to $70M is revenue from reduced enrollment in the fall. Of course, these losses climb even higher if the fall semester is also disrupted. The federal government will provide millions of dollars of relief to students through their schools and each public and private university, college and school is currently planning how to deliver this aid.

Representative Sean Scanlon (98th District): I have worked with the Governor’s office on a few of his health-related executive orders but in general my job has gone from being a legislator to being something like the human version of the Apple store “genius bar.” From morning til night my phone rings with questions from constituents about how to do things like file for unemployment, apply for a small business loan, or get tested for the virus. This type of constituent service is always a part of any legislator’s job and it’s always been my favorite part of the job but right now it’s essentially our full time job.

Representative Jeff Currey (Deputy Majority Leader, 11th Assembly District): Given that there is an overload of information being dumped in our emails, tvs, papers, etc. each and every day, often every hour, I’m doing my best not to overwhelm constituents. Obviously it’s not business as usual, but the fact that we’re essentially stuck in our homes, we’re much more accessible for those who have questions, concerns, or just need a friendly ear to rant/bitch/vent. While many legislators are providing daily information, I’m compiling the highlights each week and sending out a weekly eblast with information on a variety of topics, trying to make it as easily digestible as possible. For example, here’s a link to last week’s blast that went out to those on my distribution list: https://mailchi.mp/cga/currey-ently-trying-to-alleviate-your-stress-206849?e=184b3411b7

As for policy initiatives, the 2020 legislative session is essential a wrap. If anything, we may return for a week sometime in the future (prior to the end of the fiscal year) and take up any sort of action related to budgetary adjustments and/or covid related activities. There is also still a slight chance that we may see some initiatives make it across the finish line, but because the committee and public hearing process was cut short, these proposals would likely be things that a majority of both sides would need to agree to. Keep in mind, though, that these are my feelings on how things will play out and that nothing has been decided.

State Senator Will Haskell (26th District): While the legislature is not in session, my colleagues and I continue to hold daily conference calls discussing the situation and developing the best strategies to support our Senate districts. I’m still communicating with my constituents every day and working to help them with whatever issues they are facing. As far as policy initiatives go, I am still looking to see how we can improve our current systems so I will be ready when the Senate reconvenes.

The EPA has suspended environmental protections over the length of this crisis. Considering that many public health issues around the world are caused by environmental degradation, what is Connecticut’s plan for environmental protection during and after the COVID-19 pandemic?

Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (5th District): Under no circumstances should anyone be using the outbreak of a global pandemic to further rollback hard-fought environmental protections. Despite these trying times, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Interior are still pushing to complete a half-dozen significant rollbacks within the coming weeks. This is absolutely not the time to have partisan fights over widely agreed upon rules that affect our land, water and ecosystem. I have joined my colleagues in letters to the Administration urging them to extend and delay comment periods on these rules to after the official end of the national disaster declaration in order to protect our environment ,and provide the public ample time to make their voices heard at a time that they are not preoccupied with keeping themselves, their families, and their communities safe and healthy.

Before and after this crisis, halting and reversing climate change is a top priority of mine. Last year, I introduced the Clean School Bus Act with Senator Kamala Harris, which would provide $1 billion dollars over 5 years to school districts to replace their diesel school buses with electric ones. I also lead a letter asking the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water to include a pilot version of this program in Fiscal Year 2021 funding agreements. Fumes from diesel buses not only pollute our air but deteriorate the health of our children and neighbors. COVID-19, which we know is particularly harmful to those with existing lung conditions, has only made the need to clean our air more obvious.

Additionally, I am a cosponsor of the Green New Deal, which makes it clear that our government’s plan to combat the climate crisis should be realistic, equitable and aggressive. Most importantly, we should aim to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030. During and after this pandemic, I will continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address the climate crisis.

Representative Sean Scanlon (98th District): This is (hopefully) a once in a century pandemic and while we are all rightly focused on the here and now and just getting through each day we really need to start thinking about what the day after looks like. If there is a silver lining in all of this I think people will hopefully have more appreciation for the fact that there is a direct correlation between the health of our environment and the health of us as humans and we need to start respecting that more.

State Senator Will Haskell (26th District): During the pandemic, it will be difficult to ensure environmental protection. We must take steps to ensure individuals remain healthy as we fight COVID, but the recent legislative successes and current focuses, such as the plastic bag ban and desire to remove PFAS from polluting the environment, are evidence we will continue to focus on these important steps.

Flexibility on rent and mortgage payments are crucial for members of the UConn community. How has the state conversation progressed on this issue over the last month?

Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (5th District): As a legislator and an educator, I am uniquely aware of the importance of stable housing for our students in colleges and universities. During this public health crisis, it is critical that we support our college and university students throughout the district. This week, the Department of Education announced that the first $6 billion of the $14 billion allocated for emergency higher education relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was sent to institutions across the country so they can begin providing grants to struggling students. The CARES Act, which Congress passed on March 27, 2020, will specifically provide CT-05 colleges and universities with $42,190,987 in emergency funding. In particular, the University of Connecticut will receive $21,500,845. At least half of this funding will be distributed to displaced students to pay bills related to housing, utilities, and other educational expenses. Students should contact their respective institutions for more information about how they can apply for an emergency grant.

Costs related to housing are among the top monthly expenses for most Americans. The ability to pay rent, mortgage and utility fees has become a key concern for many constituents who have lost income as a result of the spread of COVID-19. The CARES Act included $1.25 billion in federal funding for Tenant Based Rental Assistance, which will preserve Section 8 voucher rental assistance for seniors, the disabled, and low-income working families, who will experience loss of income from the coronavirus.

While this is a great start, I know there is more work that needs to be done on the federal level to provide relief for Connecticut renters and students. I have written to House leadership to provide robust relief for renters in any additional Coronavirus relief packages and cosponsored H.R. 6314, the Emergency Rental Assistance Act. This legislation would provide $100 billion in funding to increase short-term rental assistance for most Americans by significantly expanding the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program. This program, which is operated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides funding to hundreds of states and localities each year to allocate to eligible local government entities, nonprofits, public housing authorities, and local redevelopment authorities. In turn, these organizations distribute the grant money directly to individuals and families in need.

Representative Jeff Currey (Deputy Majority Leader, 11th Assembly District): I would suggest reviewing the governor’s executive orders as they relate to mortgage “relief” and the agreement they have with the banks and credit unions throughout the state. As for renters and their landlords, this is an ongoing dialogue and something that we would hope landlords would provide some sort of flexibility without having to be told to do so. But we know that’s not always going to be case and that there are always circumstances where a landlord may rely on that income for their own personal financial obligations. Property owners need to take into account that many are now out of work and are waiting for the Department of Labor to process unemployment claims, as well as the receipt of federal stimulus dollars, i.e. one-time check/direct deposit. As of yesterday, DOL had received over 220,000 claims and had processes 80K of those, leaving 140K+ still being worked on…with more being submitted every day. There’s likely a 5–6 week wait time which means those who live paycheck-to-paycheck, will have no way of covering their rent, let alone money for food and other incidentals. We’ll continue to keep the conversation going with the administration and see what, if any, guidance the Governor offers/provides.

State Senator Will Haskell (26th District): Governor Lamont’s action to postpone rent for the next two months is a crucial first step, though spurred by COVID-19. I am communicating with my colleagues on the Housing Committee, pushing for better rent and mortgage relief options.

Given the current health crisis facing our state and the world, how will you continue to support legislation to regulate insulin prices within CT, and what future plans do you have to continue to support those with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, in line with Public Act 19–134?

Representative Sean Scanlon (98th District): Like everything else in society, our legislative session was shut down by the virus and it’s looking pretty unlikely that we will come back into session before we are legally required to adjourn on May 5th. The sad realty of that is that many of the important bills we were working on will have to wait until next year. With that said, I spend most of my time on health policy as chair of the Insurance Committee and I think if there was ever a time to include some of our health care bills in a potential special session this summer or fall it would be in the aftermath of a global pandemic.

State Senator Will Haskell (26th District): At least one manufacturer has already taken steps to self-regulate insulin prices, which is a valuable start. I will continue to push for this legislation to be supported, though the current circumstances make it challenging. I will continue to advocate for plans that reduce costs for the average person struggling with illness and pre-existing conditions — COVID-19 has exposed just how vulnerable they can be.

Why do you think there are more people leaving our state than entering? How do you plan to address this?

State Senator Will Haskell (26th District): While the statistics say more people are leaving than entering, that is not the full picture. Many people leaving Connecticut are retiring; many are entering for new employment and opportunities. That said, we need to address the costs of living in Connecticut, especially for seniors. I support tax policy changes like the reductions of Social Security and pension payments levied on seniors and am supporting similar tax overhauls, looking at options for the future.

Since the tolls were not passed to fund CT-2030, how do you plan to address our poor transportation infrastructure outside of Fairfield County? What do you believe the state has to do in order to fund public transportation projects?

State Senator Will Haskell (26th District): Our state’s infrastructure needs drastic improvement, and I plan to continue advocating for repairs that we need state-wide. We need a collective vision of the future to improve our roads, bridges and rails, and it will take the foresight to withstand short-term costs for long-term benefit.

Connecticut prisoners held in correctional facilities are some of the most at risk for communal spread. What is the state’s plan to alleviate concerns about prison safety?

Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (5th District): The Coronavirus has wreaked havoc across America, and our prisons are not immune to this pandemic. FCI Danbury, in my district, has been hit hard with 20 confirmed cases. I have signed onto two letters to Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Michael Carvajal requesting answers to vital questions about the care and precautions being taken to protect this vulnerable population.

On March 23, 2020 I signed a letter to the Director expressing concern regarding the March 20th policy the BOP issued on inmate transfers during the ongoing pandemic. This policy fails to enact adequate safeguards against the spread of this virus both among the inmate population and the staff at these facilities. With the large population of inmates housed in each BOP facility, every precaution must be taken, and every guidance from medical experts and the CDC must be followed, to prevent the spread of the virus. The current policy simply does not account for this danger. As such, I urged the Director to immediately amend the BOP policy on inmate transfers to include COVID-19 testing for every inmate before he or she is transferred. Additionally, I urged the Director to halt any further inmate transfers until these additional safeguards are implemented.

On March 30th I signed a letter to Director Carvajal asking what specific steps the Bureau is taking to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus and ensure the health and safety of BOP staff and our incarcerated population during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included a request for a detailed plan regarding the transfer of inmates (which has continued), BOP’s capacity to provide health care to incarcerated individuals and staff, the measures the Bureau is taking to ensure that living quarters and common areas are clean, and how the Bureau is disseminating and communicating important information to incarcerated individuals and their families, staff, vendors, and contractors as the pandemic progresses.

On April 4th, Attorney General William Barr ordered the Bureau of Prisons to increase the use of home confinement and expedite the release of eligible high-risk inmates at three federal prisons where coronavirus cases have skyrocketed, such as FCI Danbury. This is a good first step to combat and contain the virus in our prison system, but I remain concerned about the health and wellness of the individuals in staff who remain in these high-risk areas.

This week, I joined a letter to Governor Lamont requesting that he use his authority to direct the Department of Correction, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Judicial Branch, and the Division of Criminal Justice to work collaboratively and release people from Connecticut prisons and jails.

I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that this issue is not forgotten, and an adequate plan is put in place.

State Senator Will Haskell (26th District): The state is moving prisoners testing positive to one facility, but more must be done. With the recent death of a man cleared for prison release but who could not find an alternative location, it is clear inaction will lead to more deaths. We need to meet the needs of this vulnerable population, whose members are in unique circumstances that don’t allow for social distancing.

Representative Gregory Haddad (54th District): Homeless populations can continue to use shelters and no-freeze shelters, although those shelters are using modified guidelines that require lower densities in their facilities. I am the Chair of the Board of an agency that operates two shelters and the services continue to be offered. The state has identified additional housing opportunities for people who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity at motels across Connecticut.

What plans are currently in place to temporarily relocate Connecticut’s homeless population, who are unable to shelter in place and are more at risk for COVID-19?

State Senator Will Haskell (26th District): Many organizations are planning to house homeless individuals in hotels and other locations that allow for their safety.