Kate Farrar

As we witness anti-abortion laws being enacted across the country and anticipate the overturn of Roe v. Wade, expanding access and protecting reproductive rights in Connecticut has never been more important.

Today, State Representatives Jillian Gilchrest, Tammy Exum, and Kate Farrar, members of West Hartford's first all women delegation to the state House of Representatives, recognized the winners of the delegation's Women's History Month Essay contest at the Pond House Café in Elizabeth Park in West Hartford. Annie Lopez-Lopez won from Conard High School and Amithi Nair won from Hall High School.

The House was in session on Wednesday! We passed several bills including HB 5269, which approves the ability for towns to permanently hold remote meetings. In response to the pandemic our world went more digital than ever before, and while there were some struggles, we found that offering public meetings both in person and virtually offered increased flexibility and accessibility. These virtual meetings have helped so many residents more easily access their elected officials.

To put money back into Connecticut residents' pockets, we recently passed legislation to suspend our state's gas tax and offer free bus service through June 30. The bill also created an additional Sales Tax Free Week happening this Sunday, April 10 through Saturday, April 16.

Today, the Connecticut State Bond Commission voted to release $3 million in state funding to the Town of West Hartford to replace 24 tennis courts at Conard and Hall High School.

On Wednesday, we passed a bill that would ease some of the financial burden on Connecticut residents and working families whose wallets and budgets have taken a hit due to rising gas prices and record-breaking inflation levels.

Currently, Connecticut is just one of 16 states that require an excuse for voters to cast an absentee ballot. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives convened to vote on a proposal that would expand voter access to absentee ballots. The bill proposal would expand the statutory reasons a person may cast an absentee ballot to include make it easier to vote when you're out of town on Election Day or if you're feeling unwell or worried about your health in general.

This session, I joined State Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw in proposing legislation to offer an income tax credit to certain Connecticut taxpayers who purchase an electric bike. Electric bikes are one more way we can reduce emissions and promote a more bike-friendly state.