Klarides-Ditria shares information on mortgage relief, blood shortage

Dear Neighbors, There continues to be a lot of new information each day as our state deals with the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In an effort to keep you as informed as possible, I will be sending the ipdates, in addition to posting more frequently on my Facebook page which you can view here. As we proceed together through an incredibly difficult and fast-changing environment related to the Coronavirus outbreak, my House Republican Caucus and I have had many conversations with constituents, business owners, friends, and family. As a result, we have identified several areas that should be addressed. Yesterday, we sent a letter to Governor Lamont respectfully requesting his consideration of certain action items to address unmet needs and unintended consequences created by the Coronavirus and the federal, state and local response. The document conveys the problems we have been hearing from constituents, as well as corresponding proposals to help solve those problems.  You can view that letter here. Governor Lamont Announces Mortgage Payment Relief During COVID-19 Crisis Connecticut Residents Economically Impacted by COVID-19 May Receive 90-Day Grace Periods to Make Mortgage Payments; Financial Institutions Agree Not to Negatively Impact Credit Reports as a Result of Accepting Payment Relief Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration has reached an agreement with over 50 credit unions and banks in Connecticut to offer mortgage relief to the state’s residents and businesses who continue to face hardship caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Under the agreement, the following relief policies are being offered by participating financial institutions: 90-day grace period for all mortgage payments: Participating financial institutions are now offering mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days, which will allow homeowners to reduce or delay monthly mortgage payments. In addition, the institutions will: Provide a streamlined process for requesting forbearance for COVID-19-related reasons, supported with available documentation; Confirm approval and terms of forbearance program; and Provide the opportunity to extend forbearance agreements if faced with continued hardship resulting from COVID-19. Relief from fees and charges for 90 days: For at least 90 days, participating financial institutions will waive or refund mortgage-related late fees and other fees including early CD withdrawals. No new foreclosures for 60 days: Financial institutions will not start any foreclosure sales or evictions. No credit score changes for accessing relief: For those taking advantage of this COVID-19-related relief, late or missed payments will not be shared with credit reporting agencies. Officials are stressing that customers with loans should stay in close contact with their financial institution to identify their particular needs and work on customized solutions. The Department of Banking will maintain updated list of participating institutions on its website.     More information can be found in Governor Lamont’s press release: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/03-2020/Governor-Lamont-Announces-Mortgage-Payment-Relief-During-COVID19-Crisis CTDOT Announces Bus Program on the Waterbury Branch Line The Connecticut Department of Transportation today announced the start of substitute bus service on the Waterbury Branch commuter rail line, beginning Monday, April 6, 2020. Ridership has been down since the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic; buses will allow riders to maintain social distancing, and will have the added benefit of allowing rail line infrastructure improvements to progress more quickly. Connecticut rail service has seen a significant decline in ridership overall, the result of increased teleworking and requests by Governor Ned Lamont for citizens to “Stay Safe, Stay Home.” The Department also announced increased cleaning of buses and trains to keep frontline employees and customers safe. ​ The Department of Transportation and Metro-North are working together on a $116 million capital improvement project, when completed, will enable increased Waterbury Line rail service. The enhanced bus service will be provided by Peter Pan and will provide additional travel options for those who must still travel. All rail customers are encouraged to pre-purchase their rail tickets before boarding. Hartford Line and Shore Line East customers may purchase rail tickets using the CTrail e-Tix mobile app or through Ticket Vending Machines located at New Haven Union Station, New Haven State Street Station and all Hartford Line stations. The Department strongly encourages the public to reserve bus service for ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY such as getting to and from work or for procuring essential needs such as food and medication. Customers should practice social distancing while waiting at bus stops and while riding the bus (The Centers for Disease Control recommends a distance of six feet from others, when possible). Customers who feel sick should not use public transportation. Updated Waterbury Branch Line substitute bus schedules will be posted to the following web site. Customers are encouraged to check the schedules and status of service before they travel. ​ Waterbury Branch Line: www.mnr.info/mnr Daily update from the governor's office Each afternoon, Governor Lamont and his staff update the public on the ongoing crisis and actions the state is taking at a press conference. These updates are posted on the state's Coronavirus web page which you can view here. There is also a useful Frequently Asked Questions document that you can view here. Red Cross Announces a Severe Blood Shortage One of the most important things you can do to ensure that we do not have another healthcare crisis on top of COVID-19 is to give blood. There is currently a severe blood shortage. This blood shortage could impact patients who depend on lifesaving blood to survive. In partnership with the American Red Cross the Connecticut State Police is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Connecticut Policy Academy. You must make an appointment to donate blood at this drive. Added precautions have been implemented to ensure that blood drives and donation centers are safe for donors and their staff. To find a blood drive in your area and make an appointment to donate, please go to this link and put in your zip code. If you have any questions or concerns on this or any other issue, please contact me at Nicole.Klarides-Ditria@housegop.ct.gov or call 860-240-8700.   Sincerely, State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria

Rochelle to testify at Waterbury Rail Line public hearing in Hartford

State Rep. Kara Rochelle

HARTFORD - State Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia/Derby announced Friday the legislature’s Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing Monday, Feb. 24 on legislation she and members of the Waterbury Rail Line Caucus introduced to study rail infrastructure issues and improve service.

“The Waterbury Train Line has a huge economic impact on the people of Ansonia and Derby even if they do not ride the trains. Increased service brings about transit-oriented development and increases property value, both of which grow the grand list and increase the potential that local city leaders could

lower local property taxes. Trains mean development, larger grand lists, lower taxes, and more jobs if we all work together to make it happen,” said Rochelle. “While I am encouraged that the Department of Transportation recently sent out an RFI for leasing trains for mid-2022, when the passing

sidings and positive train control currently being created are completed for our tracks, we need our new,

permanent trains ordered, stations updated, and other rail line resources to ensure that our district and our region can reach the next stage of its revitalization. I’ve fought hard for this issue and will continue to fight as it is so critical for the lives and wallets of all residents.”

Rochelle plans to testify during the public hearing and has reached out to Ansonia and Derby mayors, President and CEO of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Bill Purcell, Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel, President and CEO of TEAM Inc. David Morgan, Chairman of the Connecticut Commuter Rail Association Jim Gildea, and other community stakeholders inviting them to submit testimony or join her in Hartford.

The public hearing will begin at 11 a.m. in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building. 
Residents can submit testimony via email to TRAtestimony@cga.ct.gov. 
Those who wish to testify in-person are asked to submit 55 copies of their written testimony to Committee staff in Room 2300 of the LOB during the speaker sign up, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. 
Speaker order will be determined by a lottery system. Interested individuals can find more information about testifying during public hearings on the Connecticut General Assembly web site here.
This is the second time Rochelle will testify on this issue. 
During the 2019 legislative session, Rochelle testified before the Transportation Committee in support of similar legislation.

Prior to the public hearing, the Waterbury Rail Line Caucus will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Monday in Room 1B. 
Members will discuss their proposal, which seeks to modernize rail transit in Naugatuck Valley and address congestion on state highways.

This is a press release from Rochelle's office.