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Dear Neighbor,
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.
Events like these affirm the work I do at the State Capitol to protect the services and funding for all our older residents. |
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Special Education,
Community Funding Update |
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I was proud to vote -- again -- for a bill allocating $40 million in immediate relief to cover special education costs for school districts across the state. The School and State Finance Project estimates Weston will receive an additional $133,785, while Easton/Redding/Region 9 will receive an additional $146,719 to cover special education costs.
I am pleased the governor's office and Democratic leaders in the General Assembly came to an agreement that delivers critical municipal funding to our schools. |
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My colleagues and I heard loud and clear from communities across Connecticut -- the rising cost of special education is placing an enormous strain on local budgets, and school districts need relief now.
We remain steadfast in looking for long-term solutions to reduce costs, strengthen services, and provide more financial support for our education system.
I also again voted in favor of a bill that provides funding to Planned Parenthood for sexual and reproductive healthcare and sex education. The legislation also helps organizations that assist immigrants, refugees and other displaced people through a range of services including support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ communities. |
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| State Plan of Conservation and Development |
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I was proud to pass the State Plan of Conservation and Development yesterday. This resolution represents a year and a half of work by the Office of Policy and Management, the Office of Responsible Growth, and the Continuing Committee on the State Plan of Conservation and Development that I co-chair.
The plan is CRITICAL to our state as we think about how best to manage natural resources and to reimagine land use and public investment decisions. The draft of the plan had four public meetings, five committee meetings, and a public hearing as part of the draft process. The final piece was to bring it to the Senate and House floors as an e-certification.
Click here to read the report. |
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The Aging Committee moved a number bills to the floor of the House, including one that would establish an Alzheimer's disease and dementia advisory council. In addition, we also voted on bills concerning long-term care facilities, including one that addresses LGBTQ+ discrimination in those facilities.
In the Labor & Public Employees Committee, we heard bills on issues such as requiring certain employers to provide employees with their work schedules and changes in advance.
I also celebrated International Women's Day with, among others, my colleagues Reps. Moira Rader and Kaitlyn Shake at a breakfast at the Capitol.
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Affordable and accessible childcare is essential for Connecticut families and businesses to thrive. H.B. 5003, a top legislative priority for House Democrats this session, will expedite funding for families, attract and retain childcare educators, and enhance both new and existing childcare facilities.
This proposal builds upon Public Act 24-91, passed unanimously last year, and signed by the Governor, which established the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund. Investing in early childhood care and education produces better educational, health, social, and economic outcomes, driving increased revenue while reducing the need for costly spending. |
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| Nearly 75% of Connecticut's 181,000 children under the age of five receive care outside the home while their parents work. By providing targeted funding and expanding access to childcare, H.B. 5003 will put more money back into our economy by opening new opportunities for stay-at-home parents to re-enter the workforce. This is not just an investment in childcare — it is an investment in the children of Connecticut and the prosperity of our state. |
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On Thursday I attended a Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Connecticut Council of Organizations Serving the Deaf.
The event brought together community leaders, advocates, and legislators to celebrate the achievements of those who have shown outstanding service in supporting the Deaf, Deaf & Blind, and Hard of Hearing communities.
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Weston recently received a $43,370 state grant to help control high-risk driving behaviors on rural roads in Connecticut.
The funds will be used to conduct enhanced traffic enforcement on local roads and to purchase speed enforcement devices.
Drivers should expect to see enhanced presence of Weston officers on our roads conducting enforcement activities during the grant period, which started March 1, through May 30. |
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With temperatures starting to warm and a spring thaw on the way, Daylight Saving Time will soon be here adding an hour of sun later in the day.
Clocks will move forward at 2 a.m. overnight Saturday, March 8, into Sunday, March 9. Remember to move your clocks forward, get some extra sleep and get ready – once we make the switch, the sun won’t set before 6 p.m. again until mid-October! |
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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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