Larry B. Butler

his Thursday, June 19, we celebrate Juneteenth, a day of reflection, resilience, and pride. It marks the moment in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

For too long, Connecticut's special education model has faced fundamental flaws that prevented all students from receiving the proper education they deserve. With our recent passage of HB 5001: An Act Concerning the Quality and Delivery of Special Education Services in Connecticut, we are taking important steps to reform this system.

I just want to thank all the Waterbury residents who joined the members of the Waterbury state delegation for Saturday's food drive for St. Vincent DePaul.

House Democrats took action on Wednesday in passing legislation that limits when warehouse employers use production quotas.

This week, the House voted in favor of HB 5004: An Act Concerning the Protection of the Environment and the Development of Renewable Energy Sources and Associated Job Sectors.

Committee work is winding down, and I voted to advance several noteworthy bills out of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee this week.

I was back in the Capitol chambers on Wednesday for a session to vote on several appointments. My colleagues and I have plans for additional sessions this month, with things really ramping up in May.