Stephen Meskers

Over the next few days Connecticut is expected to experience extreme temperatures that have prompted heat advisories from the National Weather Service through Wednesday.

The 2021 Regular Legislative Session has come to an end, and I couldn’t be prouder of the work we have been able to accomplish as we all learned new and unprecedented ways to stay connected with each of you. This session, we passed a $46.4 billion biennium budget with a $2.3 billion surplus that is strong on taxes, offers relief from the ravages of COVID-19, helps jumpstart our economy, and invests in our cities and towns, nonprofits and working families.

The House sent a powerful piece of legislation to the Governor’s desk. S.B. 1 declares that racism is a public health crisis in our state.

This legislation will add clarity, transparency and consistency to the state zoning statutes, so towns and cities have more certainty and guidance in developing and enforcing local zoning regulations. I am happy to report that we have negotiated from a position of strength and a clear and rational approach to deal with zoning. I have carefully advocated in favor of local control and I’m confident that the bill we passed in the House will maintain that local control.

Connecticut House Democrats are dedicated to fighting for those who fought for our country. During the 2021 legislative session, House Democrats have introduced and passed a number of bills which focus on supporting veterans and active members of the military, as well as their families.

Connecticut is implementing new safety protocols concerning face masks following updated recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) will hold two public forums next week to solicit input on educational priorities and the development of the Department’s plan for use of the $110 million state set-aside it received through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) fund.

I am pleased to have been able to join with colleagues to move important legislation forward last session. Here I highlight items that I supported and were passed out of the House of Representatives.