From State Rep. Ben McGorty
122nd District

When the Connecticut General Assembly meets in January it will be, by all appearances, in a virtual session. This means that committee hearings, floor votes, town halls, and even office hours will be mostly conducted through Zoom, with lawmakers observing social distancing. While the Capitol Complex will remain closed to the public, there are many new opportunities to participate in the process and make sure your voice is heard.

Referred to as a “regular session,” the 2021 legislative session will begin on January 6th and run through June 9th. According to the Connecticut state constitution, in an odd-year session any legislator can introduce bills on any subject. This is different from the even-year session where bills can only originate from their corresponding committees and must be related to the making of the two-year state budget. This budget is finalized in even-numbered years during what is known as the “long session.”

Since there is no limit on the bills that can be introduced in the coming session, you might notice that many bills will be introduced by a lawmaker on behalf of a specific individual. In state government, many of the most impactful and useful laws we write don’t come from our ideas, but from those in our communities. That is why it is important that you know how you can make your voice heard and fix an issue in your town or our state.

The legislature is also expected to conduct redistricting during the 2021 legislative session, which involves the redrawing of state legislative districts based on the results of the 2020 U.S. Census.

Here are some ways that you can participate during this year’s virtual session:

Legislation

If you’re interested in testifying for or against a bill or just want to stay up to date on pending legislation, please feel free to contact me. You can reach me at 1-800-842-1423 or by e-mail at Ben.McGorty@housegop.ct.gov.

Citations

Please contact me if you would like to recognize an individual for special events such as an athletic or academic award, an Eagle Scout accomplishment, or a significant birthday.

State Agencies

Contact my office if you are having difficulties working with state agencies; for example, the Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection, Veterans Affairs, Consumer Protection or the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Staying Informed

You can sign up for my email newsletter at RepMcGorty.com to receive updates on legislative business, community events, and any additional information I think you might want to know about our district and state. I also frequently share information to my Facebook page that might not end up in the newsletter, so please go like my page to stay in the loop.

Touring the Capitol

In a normal year, our legislative offices can arrange tours of the Capitol Complex through the League of Women Voters. However, you can now take a ‘virtual tour’ of the State Capitol Building and the Legislative Office Building by visiting their website.

Events

If there is an event or meeting – in person or virtual – that you would like me to attend, please contact my office with the date, time, location, and nature of the event.

While the pandemic has affected our ability to have indoor, in-person events, that doesn’t mean I will be any less accessible to you. In fact, it allows me to host virtual events like town halls on Zoom that allow you to call in from the comfort of home. Even if you don’t have a computer or are not tech-savvy, you can call in using a landline or mobile phone to give me your input. I will be giving updates on those events when they do happen through my newsletter and Facebook page, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.

Stratford Delegation announces Grant for Housing Improvements

State Representative Joseph P. Gresko (D- 121st District) – along with Representative Phil Young (D-120th District), Representative Ben McGorty (R- 122nd District), Senator Dennis Bradley (D- 23rd District), Senator Kevin Kelly (R- 21st District) – announced a $3.19 million increase in funding for the Stratford Housing Authority after a special meeting of the State Bond Commission.

The grant-in-aid which has been approved for the Stratford Housing Authority will be used to help rehabilitate Shiloh Gardens’ 60 affordable housing units meant for elderly residents.

“This is great news for Shiloh Gardens, which is in my district, as well as the Town of Stratford overall,” Rep. Gresko said. “Our elderly community needs our support now more than ever, and that starts with making sure we create safe and modern living environments. I’m grateful to the State Bond Commission for making it possible to make these much-needed improvements to Shiloh Gardens.”

“These funds will provide a boost to some of our town’s most vulnerable residents, and I thank the State Bond Commission for agreeing to provide the means necessary to make these essential and long-awaited modernizations,” said Rep. Young.

“We applaud this investment in Stratford elderly affordable housing,” Sen. Kelly said. “This funding will improve safety, accessibility and the quality of life for the residents at Shiloh Gardens. We thank the governor for recognizing this need.”

“I’m pleased to see this development in the rehabilitation of Shiloh Gardens. This program supports a number of seniors and individuals with disabilities in Stratford, and this funding will go a long way towards ensuring they have safe and accessible housing,” Rep. McGorty said.

“The Town of Stratford is thankful and appreciative of the state funding for the Shiloh Gardens remodeling project,” said Stratford Mayor Laura R. Hoydick. “These funds will update and modernize the living conditions of the units and further enhance the updates of the property that has been done to date.”

By Elizabeth Saint

“Something so simple has such a big impact.” Michael Vernon, first time voter.

Stratford’s election day was noted for “Early Lines,” “Lots of first time voters,” a “Constant stream of voters,”  “mask wearing and social distancing being followed” “as well as Very smooth and safe.”

The Stratford Crier toured many polling stations in the town of Stratford.

Here is what we heard and saw:

District 1: Lordship Elementary School

9:20am

Election Moderator, Michael Rodriguez reported that at 5:15am there were already 50 to 60 people in line waiting for the doors to open.  “Things have been going smoothly.”

District 2: Stratford High School

There was not coverage of District 2 due to technical difficulties.

District: 3: Stratford Academy; Johnson House

Election Moderator, Robert Bradley said “We had about 25 people lined up to vote when I got here at 5:15.”

Johnson School, which is in District 3, reported that 70% of their registered voters had voted by 2 p.m.

District 4: The Franklin School

Voter, Ray Hess reported it took “about six minutes” from parking his car to casting his vote.

District 5: Nichols Elementary

At 10:19am there were approximately 36 people in line wrapping around the school.  The line moved efficiently and the mood was positive.

Tiaire Lee said it was his first time voting in a Presidential election.  “It took about twenty minutes and it was pretty easy.”

Diana Kosa,  planned ahead and brought her own chair.

District 6: Wooster 

Judy Cleri, Election Moderator reported lines of voters ready at 6am and wrapping around the building.  The line flowed constantly, with lots of new voters, even creating a need for double lines until about 8:30am, when things began to slow.”

 

District 7:  Wilcoxson Elementary

Election Moderator, Elizabeth Christiansen reported being busy all morning.  “Right now we are in a lull.” She said,  even as voters arrived in a steady trickle.  “People started standing in line at 5:30am.  The line finally dissipated at 8:30am. Everyone has been fine.

 

District 8 — Chapel Street School

One couple, when asked about their voting experience said.  “ It was wonderful.  We didn’t even wait a minute.”

Father, Mark Vernon accompanied his son, Michael Vernon, who is 19 years old, to the polls for his first experience voting in a Presidential election.  When asked how it felt, Michael said, “Filling in the ballot is a little underwhelming.  You are just filling in a circle.  But you remember that doing something so simple has such a big impact.”

Assorted organizations saw election day as an opportunity.  At the Chapel Street School, the Sixth grade class was hosting a bake sale to raise money for end-of-sixth grade awards and picnics.  “We don’t know how it’s going to be this year but we are hopeful.” one sixth grade mother said.

Enthusiastic sellers included: (from left to right)

 

 

 

 

District 9: Bunnell High School

11:30am

Everything was quiet with single voters arriving every few minutes.  However, Malcolm Starratt, the Election Moderator, said the day didn’t start that way.  “At six am the line went up back along the side of the school.  And they kept coming till about 8:30am. It was just packed.

Then it started tapering down but it has been consistent all day.”  “What I’m hearing”, said Starratt, “is that all the districts had powerful mornings.”

Starratt has been an Election Moderator for about 18 years.

“We’ve got a great team.”  He said, “A great team that works well together”  — referring to the women and men working the Bunnell High School polling station.

“I’ve never done this with a mask before.  It’s a different thing.  Everyone has had a mask. Everyone was keeping a social distance.  It’s been nice.  We haven’t had to tell anyone to wear a mask.  It’s the biggest round of people I’ve seen.  It’s big.”

District 10: Second Hill Lane

11:06

This morning there was a line of approximately 47 people.

Beth Kardamis reported that the experience was a positive one.  That it felt very “smooth and safe.”

Joyce Varrone (pictured here with her “I Voted” sticker) reported that she arrived at 10:50 and took her almost exactly 20 minutes to vote.  “It didn’t take that long.”