Kara Rochelle

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, which will end on Saturday, April 16. If your kids are home on spring vacation, this is a great opportunity to save on their spring and summer wardrobe.

On Thursday, March 24, the State of Connecticut launched the MyCTSavings program, a new retirement savings option for over 600,000 private sector workers in Connecticut who do not have access to an employer provided retirement savings plan.

No matter how busy the session gets, meeting with you and our neighbors of the 104th is important to me. Hearing your stories, your thoughts, concerns, and questions helps me successfully advocate for you and our community's needs. Next week, I will be holding an in-person Office Hours and Listening Session event with Senator Jorge Cabrera on Friday, March 18 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Valley Diner, 636 New Haven Ave.

Today is the last day of February and Black History Month, where we celebrate the many achievements and contributions Black Americans have made to our country despite facing adversity and challenges. Black history is American history and we are blessed to have some amazing figures in our community.

The mental health and well-being of our community's youth and families has been a leading priority of mine. While we saw a rise in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and other forms of distress in young people prior to the pandemic, the increased isolation and uncertainty that has come from the past two years has exacerbated this issue. HB 5001 was developed as a bipartisan and collaborative effort to provide additional support, resources and structural change to the children's mental health system in Connecticut.

We celebrate the achievements, accomplishments and contributions Black Americans have made to this country, of which there are many, each February during National Black History Month.

A nor'easter is headed to Connecticut this weekend, bringing over 12 inches of snow starting Friday evening into Saturday. Connecticut's severe weather protocol is in effect until February 2. A winter storm could last several hours, cause power outages, and put older adults, children, and sick individuals at higher risk.

The Federal Government launched a website for Americans wanting to request free at-home COVID-19 testing kits. You can request your free COVID-19 testing kits at COVIDTests.gov. Up to 4 at-home tests per residential address may be requested. Tests are expected to ship within 7- 12 days of ordering through the United States Postal Service (USPS).