Dear Neighbor,
The pandemic has produced numerous challenges and exacerbated existing institutional inequities. Throughout the 2021 session, my colleagues and I worked to address these new challenges and the existing injustices by passing over 350 bills and resolutions.
I know the past year has been difficult for each individual and family in our community, and I believe the legislation passed in Hartford will empower everyone in our district. This session I advocated for equitable public health policies, increased access to mental health resources, and additional support for our seniors, schools, and small businesses. I also worked with my colleagues to pass a bipartisan budget that will strengthen our economy and invest in our infrastructure, sustainability efforts, and education. I have fought to ensure Meriden will see an increase in funding in both Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023 through this budget. I am confident that these state investments will see our community recover and thrive as we move out of this pandemic.
Please continue reading for more information on legislative achievements that will benefit your family, our district, and our state.
Best,
Strengthening Connecticut’s Economy
- Created a new workforce pipeline program for individuals with disabilities (PA 21-10)
- Cut unemployment insurance taxes on local businesses by excluding pandemic-related layoffs and paying directly into the fund (PA 21-5 & SB 1202)
Leading the country with Equitable Broadband (HB 6442)
- Assessment of state-wide access to the web
- Grants to towns and cities for broadband projects
- State-level industry regulation
- Required internet providers to cover part of the state’s cost
Taking Care of Connecticut’s restaurants
- Created a tax-free day for restaurants (SB 1202)
- Continued alcohol to-go and delivery sales by local bars and restaurants (PA 21-37)
- Cut red tape and made outdoor dining a permanent option for bars and restaurants (SB 1202)
Protecting Our Veterans
- Cut permit costs for nonprofit and private clubs (like the Army-Navy Club and VFW) (PA 21-10)
- Increased funeral benefits for vets to cover the cost of obituaries (HB 6480)
- Directed state colleges and universities to update what credits they can award based on military training (HB 6402)
- Expanded state benefits for LGBTQ+ veterans (PA 21-79)
Fighting For Fairness And Equality
- Declared racism a public health crisis and created a Commission on Racial Equity tasked with eliminating health disparities (PA 21-35)
- Championed new zoning reforms to address rising housing costs, affordability, equity and opportunity in our communities (PA 21-29)
- Voters will get to decide in 2022 whether CT will allow in-person voting, and in 2024 whether CT will offer no-excuse absentee ballots to all registered voters. (RA 21-1 & RA 21-2)
- Ended prison gerrymandering – the practice of counting prisoners as if they were registered voters in the town of incarceration when determining what districts our elected officials represent (PA 21-49)
- Restored voting rights for individuals in community facilities or on parole (SB 1202)
Town Budget Summary
FY 21 | FY 22 | |
---|---|---|
Education Cost Sharing | $64,774,542 | $66,940,902 |
PILOT | $2,220,735 | $2,220,735 |
Total State Funds To Town | $67,699,435 | $71,068,187 |
COVID Response
- Ensured access to virtual visits and monitoring by loved ones for nursing home residents, strengthened rights for residents of long-term care facilities (PA 21-55) and created a statewide policy on visitation. (PA 21-71)
- Expanded workers’ compensation benefits for PTSD to cover emergency responders, corrections workers, dispatchers and essential health care providers who were on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic (PA 21-107)
- Continued coverage and access to telehealth (HB 6470)
- Increased funding to local health departments (SB 1202)
Housing Cost And Fairness
- Fought for guaranteed walkthroughs for renters before they sign their lease and capped fees for being late on rent payments. (HB 6433)
- Guaranteed legal representation if you’re facing eviction. (PA 21-34)
- Helped strengthen numerous programs designed to keep people from losing their homes during tough times: Foreclosure Mediation, Lien Assistance and Emergency Mortgage Assistance. (PA 21-44)
Supporting Our Seniors
- Increased eligibility for seniors to qualify for property tax breaks (HB 6458 & PA 21-84)
- Required background checks at homemaker-companion agencies (PA 21-37)
- Fought age discrimination in the workplace-limited the need for your age and other dates on job applications. (PA 21-69)
- Reformed nursing home staffing, policies and supply inventories in response to COVID-19 (PA 21-185)
- Required paratransit vehicle drivers to be mandatory reporters of suspected abuse of elderly persons. (PA 21-122)