Robin Comey

I hope this message finds you and your family well. As Memorial Day approaches, we take time to solemnly honor the courageous servicemen and women who laid down their lives in defense of the United States. Their selflessness and devotion to duty represent the very best of our nation. While words can never fully express our gratitude, we remain forever indebted to those who answered the call to serve and gave everything for future generations. May their memory continue to inspire us to lead with compassion, integrity, and a deep appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy each day.

There is plenty to get to in the email below, so make sure to keep scrolling for more on:

• Memorial Day Commemoration
• Kindness Campaign
• Absentee Voting for All
• Funding for Dairy Farmers
• 2026 Major Public Acts Report
• Join me for Civic Saturday
• Traffic Stop Practice for Newly Licensed Drivers
• Community Events

The Branford Memorial Day Parade will take place Monday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m. Opening ceremonies and the parade start have been relocated to South Main Street behind Town Hall to accommodate the Main Street Reconstruction project.

The parade will proceed west on South Main Street to Main Street and North Harbor Street before returning to the starting point.

The Branford school community, along with family and friends, held a touching dedication ceremony to honor Anthony, a Branford student who tragically lost his life last year. In his memory, “Anthony’s Way,” the road in front of Walsh Intermediate School, will serve as a lasting reminder of his kindness and spirit for all who enter the school community.

Anthony’s family is also partnering with Community Dining Room to honor his generous spirit through a Kindness Campaign. Click here to learn more and get involved.

Absentee voting for all eligible voters is now law in Connecticut, expanding access to the ballot box and giving every qualified voter the option to cast their vote by absentee ballot.

This change comes after Connecticut voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in 2024 supporting absentee voting for all, marking a major step forward in modernizing and strengthening voter access across our state.

Public Act 26-42 removes certain restrictions that previously limited absentee ballots to voters who could not appear in person on Election Day for a narrow set of reasons. With this change, any eligible voter who prefers to vote absentee may now do so.

The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. Expanding access to absentee ballots strengthens participation, increases flexibility, and ensures every voter has a convenient and secure option to make their voice heard.

To vote by absentee ballot, eligible voters must complete an absentee ballot application and submit it to their town clerk. Applications can also be submitted online through the Office of the Secretary of the State’s secure portal. For more information on applying for an absentee ballot, visit myvote.ct.gov.

Connecticut’s dairy farms are small, family-owned businesses that support local jobs and provide fresh, nutritious food to communities across our state. To help sustain these vital local operations, we are proud to announce that $22.5 million has been allocated from Connecticut’s Federal Cuts Response Fund we created to provide immediate relief to the approximately 80 dairy farmers in the state.

Recent federal actions have placed many of these family-run farms under severe financial strain. Much of the pressure stems from federally set milk pricing structures that favor large corporate operations over smaller Connecticut dairies, along with tariff policies that have increased the cost of essential supplies such as fertilizer and farm equipment while triggering retaliatory trade measures from key export partners. In addition, the U.S. conflict with Iran has significantly driven up fuel and fertilizer costs, further burdening farmers already operating on narrow margins.

With the legislative session now concluded, the Office of Legislative Research has released its Major Public Acts report, highlighting many of the significant bills passed by the House and Senate this year. Covering topics ranging from state finances and housing to solar energy and more, the report offers a comprehensive overview of key legislation impacting Connecticut residents.

Click on the above photo to view the report.

Join me on Saturday, May 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Blackstone Library for an informative presentation on how to navigate and utilize the Connecticut General Assembly website.

Learn how to stay engaged and informed by tracking bills, statutes, committees, and your local legislators. I will also demonstrate how you can effectively make your voice heard throughout the state government process.

Representatives from the League of Women Voters of the East Shore will also be in attendance to provide voter and election education resources.

Click here to register.