COVID-19 Update: House Rep. Proposals, Waterbury Line Update

Coronavirus Update:
House Republican Proposals, Waterbury Line Update, CARES Act, Mortgage Relief, and More

House Republicans Offer Proposals to Governor's Office to Help with COVID-19 Response

I commend the governor, his staff, and administration for their tireless work throughout this crisis. Now is the time for the entire state to come together. As your elected officials, it is our responsibility to support and guide Connecticut residents, hospitals, businesses, schools, towns, and nonprofits through this pandemic.

The feedback I have received from many of you has been immensely helpful. Your constructive suggestions and proposed solutions will help your state government's responsiveness to the needs of the people as this situation evolves. Based on the input we have received from all over the state, my House Republican colleagues and I sent a letter to the governor yesterday with a number of proposals intended to help Connecticut residents and businesses.

This list of proposals includes a cap on the unemployment tax rate for businesses, relief from penalties on late property tax payments, a temporary halt on local plastic bag restrictions, assistance with student loan interest rates, help for our first responders and healthcare professionals who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty, and more.

House Republican Coronavirus Proposals: Click Here

Please continue to contact me about your concerns and suggestions. I will do everything I can to help, and we may offer more proposals to the governor as we receive them.


Bus Service on the Waterbury Branch Line

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) announced substitute bus service on the Waterbury Branch Commuter Rail Line will begin on Monday, April 6th, 2020. Ridership has been down since the COVID-19 crisis began. Buses will allow riders to maintain social distancing, and will have the added benefit of allowing rail line infrastructure improvement to progress more quickly.

Full press release from the CT DOT: Click Here


Governor Lamont Announces Mortgage Payment Relief

Governor Lamont announced yesterday that his administration has reached an agreement with over 50 credit unions and banks in Connecticut to offer mortgage relief to residents and businesses who face financial hardship in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The following policies were negotiated with participating financial institutions:

• 90-day grace period for all mortgage payments
• Relief from fees and charges for 90 days
• No new foreclosures for 60 days
• No credit score changes

Read the governor's press release: Click Here

Latest news from the governor's office: Click Here

Governor's Executive Orders: Click Here


Price Gouging Will Not be Tolerated

While this crisis has brought out the best in many of us, it has also brought out the worst in others. Today, I signed onto a letter from state legislators around the country to call on major online retailers like Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Walmart, and others to take the necessary steps to prevent price gouging. This occurs when sellers increase prices for certain goods and services far above normal levels.

During this international emergency, countless people need basic supplies to stay safe and healthy, and many are purchasing these items online while travel restrictions are in place. It is unfortunate that some have taken advantage of this situation and their fellow citizens, but it does happen, and we are doing something about it.


CARES Act: Assistance for Individuals, Families, and Businesses

Over the weekend, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law by President Trump. Overall, this bill helps American families and businesses by expanding unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits, making available loans to small businesses, and by making direct payments to qualified households that fall under a certain income threshold.

Here are some resources that will help you navigate this extensive stimulus package:

• Guide from the CT DECD: Click Here
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide: Click Here
• Summary of CARES Act from the Tax Foundation: Click Here
• Overview of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP): Click Here
• PPP Application: Click Here
• PPP Borrower's Guide: Click Here

Additional Resources

As a reminder, these are the best resource pages from our federal, state, and local governments, which are updated regularly:

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): Click Here
• State of Connecticut Web-Portal: Click Here
• FAQ Document from the Governor's Office: Click Here
• Borough of Naugatuck: Click Here

As always, I will provide more updates as I receive new information. Please reach out to me if you have questions or concerns about the state and local response to the COVID-19 pandemic, or any state government matter. I am more than happy to speak with you directly, provide more information if possible, and to serve as a resource for you and your families.

Email: Rosa.Rebimbas@housegop.ct.gov

Warm regards,
State Representative Rosa C. Rebimbas

70th General Assembly District
Naugatuck

State Rep. Rosa C. Rebimbas
Republican Whip
Ranking Member, Judiciary Committee
800-842-1423 (Toll Free)
860-240-8700 (Local)
860-240-0207 (Fax)