Christine Palm

Operation Fuel's energy assistance program opened this week for the Winter/Spring season.

As we ring in the new year, there are some laws that become effective on January 1 that were passed during the 2023 legislative session addressing key issue areas including early voting, health and mental health, and online privacy and data protection.

Connecticut is offering a wonderful new program that will make applying for higher education much easier - and less expensive - for graduating high school students.

Earlier this month, I was pleased to host, along with Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, a listening session with 65-plus librarians from across the state. The goal of the listening session was to learn more about the challenges they have been facing in their field, with an eye toward potential legislation, if warranted. Along with a number of my fellow legislators, including Education Committee House Chair Jeff Currey, we discussed freedom of speech issues, the distinction between voluntary and compulsory reading lists, challenges to books on the shelves, the role of certified media specialists, the licensing of e-books, and other issues that concern libraries.

Funds will help with repairs, redesign, and updates at the library.

There's an important meeting taking place in Haddam on December 12, the Food Scrap Diversion program is seeking volunteers, and don't forget that local holiday markets are still open.

The town of Essex has announced that NBC's Today Show will be coming to town on December 12 to celebrate "Merriest Main Street." Dress in holiday attire and arrive by 6 a.m.

Please join Representative Aundre Bumgartner and me at The Ditty Bag in Mystic on December 7 for "Climate, Coffee, & Conversation."