Capitol Update from Rep. Rosa Rebimbas

Dear friends and neighbors,
I would like to provide you with some information on the following state issues:

• Assistance for small businesses through the CT Cares Program
• PURA announcement regarding revised supply rates for Eversource
• Governor's decision to roll CT back to Phase 2.1 restrictions
• Changes to the state's travel advisory
• New payroll tax to take effect on January 1, 2021

CT Cares Program
Governor Lamont and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) have announced a new program, CT CARES, which is available to small businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19. Organizations with fewer than twenty employees or those with a 2019 payroll less than $1.5 million will be eligible to receive a one-time $5,000 grant.
$50 million from the state's Coronavirus Relief Fund will be used for the program, which will be administered by DECD. The grant may be used for payroll, rent, utilities, inventory, purchase of machinery or equipment, or costs associated with compliance of the state's reopen Connecticut plan.
Applications will be accepted beginning this month and funds are expected to be distributed by the end of December.
For more information, read the governor's press release or visit DECD's web portal.

PURA Announces Rate Changes for Eversource
The state's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has announced revised standard service generation rates (or supply rates) for Eversource and United Illuminating customers beginning January 1, 2021. This is separate from Eversource's delivery rate, which PURA had initially approved for an increase beginning July 1, 2020. Following public pressure, the delivery rate increase was put on hold and is currently under review by PURA following multiple public hearings. PURA is expected to deliver a decision on the delivery rate issue later this month.
The supply rate is the cost to produce the electricity for customer, whereas the delivery rate is the cost to deliver the power to end-users. This increase, which typically happens each year in January due to increased energy demand during the winter months, only applies to customers who do not receive their power from a third-party supplier.
Customers may compare rates here.
Read PURA's full Press Release: Click Here

Connecticut Moves Back to Phase 2.1
In response to an increase in Connecticut's COVID-19 infection rate, Governor Lamont has ordered the state to return to an amended version of Phase Two. The governor has also moved the state from a local response model back to a statewide action plan.
As such, the following restrictions are now in effect:
Restaurants

• Reduced to 50% capacity with a maximum of 8 people per table

Restaurants & Entertainment (i.e bowling alleys, movie theaters, arcades)

• Required to close by 9:30 p.m. for dine in services, with the exception of food takeout and delivery services, which will be allowed to continue after 9:30 p.m.

Personal Services (i.e. hair salons and barber shops)

• To remain at 75% capacity

Event Venues

• Limited to 25 people indoor, 50 people outdoor

Performing Arts & Movie Theaters

• Limited to a maximum capacity of 100 people

Religious Gatherings

• Limited to 50% of the building’s capacity or a maximum of 100
• Virtual services are encouraged

Employers

• Encouraged to maximize telework to the extent possible

Seniors/Individuals Living with Chronic Conditions

• Those over 60 and/or those with chronic health conditions are urged to remain home as much as possible.

The state's Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued a statewide public health advisory urging residents to limit non-essential trips outside the home from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. DPH has also released its weekly COVID-19 Alert Map, which now includes 68 CT municipalities, including Stamford, that are in the red-zone alert level - the highest of the state's four alert levels.
For more information, please take a moment to review the following resources and updates from state officials:

• Governor's 11/2 Update: Click Here
• Governor's 11/5 Update: Click Here
• Executive Order 9K: Click Here

Updated Travel Advisory
As of November 3, Oregon and Washington state have been added to the tri-state travel advisory created by Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York.
Here are the states/territories that are NOT on the list at this time:

• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Maine
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Vermont
• Washington, D.C.

For more information about the tri-state advisory, including a full list of states with a high infection rate, please click here. The map below also displays the states that are on the list (in red), as well as those that are not (in green).

Payroll Tax Goes Into Effect January 1, 2021
Beginning January 1, 2021, employees will notice a deduction in their paycheck. This is the result of a new payroll tax created by the passage of Connecticut's Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. The bill, which was passed by Democrats in 2019, will be funded by up to a half-percent payroll tax on all Connecticut employees for benefits that will be available beginning January 1, 2022. The rate will be set by the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Authority.
The act covers all private employers with at least one employee, and provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave during a 12 week period, whether is be related to their own health or that of a family member (spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, or any individual close to the employee). Employees may also use the time for the birth of a child, donating an organ or bone morrow, reasons related to family violence, or if it is related to military service.
While this bill is certainly well-intended and seeks to address work-life balance issues that many of us face, there is a concern that the bill will create major issues for small business owners and their employees. Additionally, 0.5 percent may not seem significant, but for many individuals who are struggling to make ends meet, especially during the pandemic, the timing of this new tax is concerning for many.

Email: Rosa.Rebimbas@housegop.ct.gov
Warm regards,
Rosa

State Representative Rosa C. Rebimbas
70th General Assembly District
Naugatuck

State Rep. Rosa C. Rebimbas
Ranking Member, Judiciary Committee
House Republican Whip
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