Anabel Figueroa

I stood in solidarity with 32BJ SEIU union workers in Stamford as they rallied for a new and more equitable contract. These workers clean commercial buildings, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for those working there. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

For nearly three months, they have been negotiating a new contract which covers 10,000 commercial cleaners’ wages and working conditions. This week, union members voted to authorize a strike if a new deal is not reached when the current contract expires on December 31. They are essential workers who deserve good wages and benefits!

Thank you Mayor Caroline Simmons, State Senator Julie Kushner, Stamford Representative Carl Weinberg, and other city representatives for joining me in our support for 32BJ SEIU.

The state is offering a new resource allowing some high school seniors to apply for certain local colleges and universities for free through the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program. Graduating Connecticut high schoolers, who meet eligibility guidelines, will be automatically admitted to several participating colleges and universities. All they have to do is fill out one application form!

Graduating seniors in the top 30% of their class, as identified by their individual high school counselors, are eligible. The deadline to apply for high school seniors who are graduating this spring is January 4, 2024. The goal of the program is to simplify the application process and make it easier for families to seek higher education.

• University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport
• Western Connecticut State University in Danbury
• Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven
• University of New Haven in New Haven
• Central Connecticut State University in New Britain
• Mitchell College in New London
• University of St. Joseph in West Hartford
• Goodwin University in East Hartford
• Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic

As we ring in the new year, there are some laws taking effect January 1 addressing key issues including early voting, health and mental health, as well as online privacy and data protection.

There will also be an increase in the minimum wage effective January 1 from $15.00 to $15.69 made possible through legislation passed in 2019, which implemented five incremental increases in the minimum wage followed by future adjustments that are tied to the percentage change in the federal employment cost index.

Although extensive, below I share some highlights, and a link to the complete list of new laws. Please share and reach out to my office if you would like more detail on any of the new laws.

 
Establishes a framework for early, in-person voting requiring a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.
 

Includes the creation of a Hospice Hospital at Home pilot program to provide in-home hospice care to patients through in-person visits and telehealth.
 

Establishes a new license category for freestanding birth centers, an Infant Mortality Relief Program to review medical records and other data on infant deaths and a midwifery working group to study and make recommendations on advancing choices for community birth care.
 

Makes various changes to laws on data privacy and related issues, including provisions on consumer health data, minors’ social media accounts and online services, online dating operators, and a task force on internet crimes against children.
 

Among many supportive measures, creates a plan to establish a Transitional Life Skills College program to support certain people with IDD who are transitioning out of high school or to independent living.
 

Expands eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress injuries to all employees covered by the workers’ compensation law.