Anne Hughes

This week I testified in front of Government Oversight Committee about updating our state’s systemic, traumatizing policy of mandatory strip searches in the Department of Corrections. Our state sanctioned system of frequent mandatory strip searches of incarcerated individuals, especially without probable cause, is humiliating, degrading and traumatic for the incarcerated and contributes to increased confrontations with correction staff and escalating use of force. Connecticut has authorized the payout of tens of millions of dollars for recent claims of incarcerated families due to wrongful death suits and other harms. It’s time for a better, safer way.

What a productive week! I kicked it off last Sunday by joining Sen. Richard Blumenthal to celebrate the incredible centenarians, their families, and especially the staff at Mozaic Senior Life.

I attended a press conference today highlighting how potentially devastating federal cuts to Medicaid will have on the state.

On Wednesday, the Connecticut Chapter of the Social Welfare Action Alliance and I hosted the third-annual People's Forum on what the priorities are for this session, especially when so many people are being threatened and harmed by the administration in Washington.

Sometimes we are in Labor … (Committee) into the middle of the night, hearing from workers who are forced to strike when employers undermine union negotiations by stalling and bad faith tactics to withhold basic fair worker protections and wages.

First, a big thank you to Mrs. Millspaugh’s second-grade class at the International School at Dundee for inviting me to participate in World Read Aloud Day!

Undoubtedly you've heard of the latest attempt out of Washington, D.C., to undermine our country and spike the economy by freezing all federal non-Social Security or defense-related grants.

We are hitting the ground hard and fast!