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Dear Neighbor,
It was another productive week at the State Capitol. I joined fellow legislators of the Early Childhood Caucus in support of several pieces of legislation, including HB 5003 and SB 1, to expand family care programs, bolster pay and working conditions for childcare workers, and call for affordable health insurance.
Given the gutting of our federal government agencies to enrich billionaires on the backs of our workers just trying to feed our families, it's up to the state to make these critical improvements.
Indeed, 10 regional Head Start offices (federal program), have been consolidated to five; the entire Boston office federal workforce of Head Start has been laid off.
This is the state's time to take the lead to improve children's care prenatally to age five. The time has come to also address the wage gap that sees women earn less than 80 percent of their male counterparts in the workforce.
The federal government is currently actively working to exacerbate these inequities. Connecticut must do what it can to not only stop the trend, but reverse it. |
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| Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Filed |
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On Thursday in front of the Superior Court in Hartford, I joined the plaintiffs of a lawsuit filed against the state alleging discrimination against disabled in the state’s Husky Medicaid program.
There is a discrepancy in income and asset limits for those who are disabled versus those who are not in receiving Medicaid benefits.
According to CT News Junkie, the income limit for a single adult under Husky Parts A and D – which covers nondisabled, nonelderly residents – is $1,800 a month. Disabled residents and residents over 65 are covered by Husky Part C, which has a lower income threshold of $1,350 a month. Husky C also has an asset limit for recipients, while the other Husky programs do not.
Those discrepancies violate the state constitution, according to the plaintiffs' lawyers.
As I said at the press conference, we have normalized and kept the status quo of some of the antiquated laws and policies (which included, among other things, involuntary sterilization) from decades ago.
The income and asset caps are punitive, cruel, and discriminatory. They are indeed harmful.
If we didn’t have this lawsuit against the government, then we would have no way to kind of reconcile what we have inherited.
Justice always is forced, really, it’s so reluctant. If we had empathy and out of the goodness of our hearts, we would have changed this system long ago.
Read more about the lawsuit and my comments in CT News Junkie and the CT Mirror. |
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| Rep. Anne Hughes. Credit: Laura Tillman / CT Mirror |
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| Ms. President U.S. Winner! |
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| Congratulations to Madeline Theodore of Redding and her Kids Climate Action Team with Vice President Maddie Czeterko for being 2025 Ms. President US winners. Madeline and Maddie are part of a group of extraordinary young leaders who will inspire, empower, and ignite change in their communities. |
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| This event is in May, but you might want to mark it on your calendars now. Come learn about senior programs and resources throughout the state of Connecticut. More information to come! |
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Celebrate Earth Day in Redding by picking up roadside trash on Saturday, April 12. Meet at the Town Green at 9:30 a.m. to pick up gloves, vests, bag and your road assignment.
Return to the Town Green by 12:45 p.m. with your trash to enjoy treats, photos and fun. |
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| Frog Frolic Family Festival in Redding |
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What's the best way to kick off spring in Redding? The 28th annual Frog Frolic Family Festival, of course! This year it's Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Redding Community Center, 37 Lonetown Road.
The day always promises entertainment (a car show, live music and more!) and fantastic refreshments
If you're looking for skip the line, click here and buy tickets now!
For more information, click here. |
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| Mark your calendars. Redding is offering two Shred Days -- Saturday, May 3, and Saturday, May 13 -- to shred confidential documents at the town Transfer Station at 84 Hopewell Woods Road. |
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A spring egg hunt will take place Saturday, April 19, at Lachat Town Farm, 106 Godfrey Road West in Weston at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Children will hunt for colorful eggs and earn prizes, meet real bunnies, enjoy live music, get their faces painted, or create fun crafts. There will be a S'mores bar, as well as chances to take photos with the Spring Bunny.
Bring your own basket. The cost is $20 per child, while adults are free. |
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The victory parade and rally in downtown Hartford celebrating the NCAA championship win by the UConn women’s basketball team is Sunday, April 13, at 1 p.m.
The parade will begin at 1 p.m. and will step off at the State Capitol building at the intersection of Trinity Street and Elm Street. From there, it will proceed north on Trinity Street, go through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, turn right (east) onto Jewell Street, turn left (north) onto Trumbull Street, and end at the intersection of Asylum Street and Trumbull Street.
The rally will begin at around 1:30 p.m. and will be held outside of the main entrance of the XL Center on Trumbull Street, where the players, coaches, and other guests will be invited to give speeches.
Congratulations Huskies! |
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As always, please feel free to contact my office at 800-842-8267 or by email at anne.hughes@cga.ct.gov. And "Like" and follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
Peace,
Anne Hughes
State Representative |
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