Jane Garibay

June 19 is Juneteenth. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in our country. This important holiday was unknown to many for several years, but thanks to the tireless work of advocates, it is now rightfully recognized throughout the country.

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Statistics show that 10% of adults aged 65 and older will experience some sort of elder abuse. Elder abuse can be physical, but the most commonly occurs through financial exploitation.

On Tuesday, two aging bills - HB 5001 and HB 5046 - were ceremoniously signed into law. An event to commemorate the bill signing was held at the Seabury Retirement Community in Bloomfield. I was proud to stand with Speaker Ritter and my colleagues from both sides of the isle who helped push these bills past the finish line.

Public Act 24-46, An Act Establishing a Property Tax Exemption for Veterans Who Have a Service-Connected Permanent and Total Disability Rating has been signed into law and will take effect October 1, 2024.

On June 1, I am joining Connecticut Clean Communities and First Town Downtown for a spring litter cleanup at the Windsor Green.

Veterans put their lives on the line for our country and, as a small way to say “thank you for your service,” the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that would support Veterans who have been disabled during service.

As the elderly population steadily grows, there is an urgency to provide resources and assistance to this community. As the co-chair of the Aging committee, it is my responsibility to push for legislation that will benefit older residents in our state. I worked tirelessly with my fellow co-chairs, members of the Aging committee, and Speaker Ritter to craft legislation that protects seniors and meaningfully changes elder care.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, street takeovers have become a national issue, including here in Connecticut. This cannot become the new normal. These takeovers by the illegal use of all-terrain and other types of vehicles, pose a significant threat to public safety, endangering participants, innocent bystanders, and law enforcement officials.