Legislative Recap, Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, and More!

May 9, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday! I hope you are doing well. The House was in session on Wednesday and Thursday. We passed several great pieces of legislation, including a priority bill of the LGBTQ+ Caucus. 

HB 6913: An Act Concerning Discrimination in Long-Term Care Facilities prohibits discrimination in long-term care facilities based on a wide range of protected characteristics, including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and HIV status. It also requires staff to receive training in cultural competency and reinforces residents’ rights to privacy and respectful care. Our elders deserve to age in environments that honor their full identities, and this legislation helps ensure that happens.

Thank you to LGBTQ+ Caucus member Rep. MJ Shannon for introducing the bill on the House Floor, the Aging Committee, and all of the advocates that helped make this legislation a reality. 

HB 6913 now heads to the Senate for further action.

Please read below for information on other legislation passed this week, a forum on E-Bike Safety, and more! 

Legislative Recap 

On Wednesday, House Democrats voted to make important changes to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program, including among other things expanding the types of cancers covered to include skin cancer and authorizing workers’ compensation administrative law judges to handle appeals of any denial of benefits. Taking care of our first responders is always a legislative priority.

We also took action to make sure that warehouse workers are treated with respect by passing legislation that limits and provides clarity when employers use production quotas.
The legislation also ensures that:  

  • Employers must provide quota information upon hiring an employee
  • If quotas change, workers must be notified
  • Employees cannot be retaliated against for requesting work records
  • Quotas cannot be used to inhibit workers from using the restroom or taking an entitled break

Valuing people over profits is good public policy.

Norwalk Day at the Capitol

May 13 will be Norwalk Day at the State Capitol! Businesses and organizations from Norwalk will be in Hartford to showcase what makes our city so special. Hope to see you there! 

Community Forum on E-Bike Safety

The Westport Police Department is holding a Community Forum on E-Bike Safety and Laws on May 13 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM in the Town Hall Auditorium. The hosts will discuss the growing presence of electric bicycles in our community and the evolving laws, local enforcement practices, safety considerations and best practices for families and children surrounding their use.

The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

For more information, please contact the Westport Police Department at 203-341-6000.

Upcoming Free Concert - Norwalk Community Chorale 

The Norwalk Community Chorale will hold a free concert on June 7.

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive 

Tomorrow is the 33rd annual Stamp Out Food Drive. On the second Saturday in May, letter carriers collect nonperishable food donations and deliver them to local community food banks, pantries and shelters. If you are interested in donating, place a bag of food next to your mailbox. Your carrier will do the rest.

National Small Business Day 

Saturday is National Small Business Day. It is a great opportunity to celebrate Connecticut's small businesses and the entrepreneurs who drive innovation, create jobs, and strengthen our communities. Their resilience and dedication are the backbone of our state's economy.

Shopping SMALL is a BIG deal!

Upcoming Library Events 

The Norwalk Public Library will hold several events over the next few weeks. If you want more information, click on the corresponding flyer or visit the Norwalk Public Library website. 

Westport Public Library also has a robust lineup of programing. Please visit their website to learn more. 

ICYMI

Survey for Norwalk Residents

Attention Norwalk residents and business owners - the City of Norwalk and Redevelopment Agency (RDA) have created a survey to gauge interest in developing a Business Improvement District (BID). A business improvement district could potentially increase resources and investment in downtown Norwalk.

Click here to access the survey. It should take about 10 minutes to complete. 

AAPI Westport Events 

AAPI Westport will hold the following events over the next few weeks:

  • Middle School Anime Night at Toquet Hall on tonight at 6pm.  Buy tickets and register here.
  • Kevin Nguyen will discuss his new book, My Documents, with Jennifer Heikkila Diaz (co-chair of APAC) at the Westport Library on Tuesday, May 20 at 7pm. Register here.

Norwalk Resident Beach Parking Pass

Attention Norwalk residents -  beach season is right around the corner. You can now confirm that your license plate is on the Grand List for your 2025 Norwalk Resident parking pass. This pass provides parking access to:

  • Calf Pasture & Shady Beach
  • Veterans Park
  • Cranbury Park
  • Taylor Farm Dog Park

Your car registration must list Norwalk as your tax town to qualify for a resident pass.

Click here to verify your plate. If you are not on the list, send a photo of your car registration to the following email address -  residentpass@norwalkct.gov.

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk Nominated for USA Today’s “10 Best” List – Vote Today! 

A local institution is receiving national acclaim. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk was one of twenty aquariums across the country to be nominated for USA Today’s “10 Best” list in their 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards. The top ten will be decided through an online vote.

Click here to cast a vote for the Maritime Aquarium. You are able to vote once a day, every day, through Monday, May 12. 
 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions and concerns you may have - I can be reached at Dominique.Johnson@cga.ct.gov, or through my office phone - 860-240-8585.

Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative

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