Friday, May 7, 2021
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Volume 27, Number 19
Apple blossoms pop earlier than normal By Jessica Simms Special to the Record-Journal
The pink and white flowers marking the start of the apple blossom season are popping up earlier this year because of the mild winter weather.
Opponents of a bill to repeal Connecticut's religious exemption for required school vaccinations march down Capitol Avenue in Hartford Tuesday, April 27 before the State Senate voted on the legislation. Mark Mirko/Hartford Courant via AP
Contentious vaccine exemption legislation is signed into law Connecticut will no longer allow a religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements for schools, colleges and day care facilities, becoming the sixth state to end that policy.
tweet, announcing he had signed the contentious bill.
Local representatives were split on the bill. Sen. Paul Cicarella and Rep. Vincent Candelora, both Republicans, were against the legThe legislation was signed islation; Democrats Sen. into law Wednesday, April 28 Christine Cohen, Sen. Mary by Gov. Ned Lamont, hours Daugherty Abrams, Rep. after the Democratic-conMichael Quinn and Rep. trolled Senate passed the bill John-Michael Parker suplate Tuesday night. ported it. “Proud to sign this bill into law to protect as many of our school children as possible from infectious diseases as we can,” Lamont said in a
Proponents have argued that eliminating the exemption will help prevent potential outbreaks of illnesses like measles. But critics argue
“Apple trees need a certain amount of chilling hours and then as spring thaws out, air temperature and soil temperature have gotten warmer in March and April and as things warm up, both air and soil sets things up in motion
on the growing side for an apple tree,” said Peter Rogers, owner of Rogers Orchards in Southington. Rogers said the apple blossom period is about five to seven days earlier this year. The trees also blossomed early last year. “I guess the new norm is shifting a little earlier, but probably more early blooms then late blooms in the last 10 years for sure,” he said. See Blossoms, A24
the bill is discriminatory, and unnecessary, given the state’s overall high vaccination rate. Lamont said he spent a lot of time researching the issue. “When it comes to the safety of our children, we need to take an abundance of caution,” the governor said in a statement. “This legislation is needed to protect our kids against serious illnesses that have been well-controlled for many decades, such as measles, tuberculosis, and whooping cough, but have reemerged.”
Apple blossoms are seen here Friday, April 30 on a tree off South Street at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield. The apple blossom season is earlier this year because of the mild winter weather. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
DeLauro seeks federal funding for Durham water project House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) announced 10 Connecticut community projects she has submitted for consideration in appropriations bills for the upcoming fiscal year, including one in Durham. A press release from the congresswoman's office states: "As Chair of the House Appropriations Commit-
tee, which sets federal spending, DeLauro is committed to meeting the needs of our communities in a transparent and accountable way. Under Appropriations Committee guidelines she developed, and which have been praised by experts across the political spectrum, each Representative may request funding for up to 10 projects in their com-
munity for fiscal year 2022 – although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding." “There are dedicated people and groups across Connecticut planning
impactful projects that simply need funding to succeed,” said DeLauro. “That is the motivation behind Community Project Funding, which I made part of the fiscal year 2022 appropriations process. I am thrilled to champion these ten requests that will foster community development through avenues such as support for See DeLauro, A23