Aimee Berger-Girvalo

Hello Neighbors,

These days we are in the Capitol more than we are away from it. With less than two weeks remaining in the 2024 legislative session, we are deep into the process of amending and negotiating our bills, all while voting on legislation that is ready to roll. Currently I’m working with a number of agencies, advocates, the Governor’s office, and fellow legislators from both sides of the aisle to finalize some comprehensive transportation-related legislation.

As always, if you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.

More than 380,00 Connecticut residents struggle with food insecurity, and many of them are seniors and children. Many of these folks are our neighbors.

Every 2^nd Friday, CT Foodshare comes to Ridgefield with their Mobile Food Pantry.

If you need assistance, or to access the mobile pantry’s schedule, click HERE.

And if you can donate, please do so by clicking HERE.

There has been a cultural change in the workplace since the pandemic where we don't want our coworkers showing up to work sick. This legislation promotes better public health outcomes while allowing workers to care for themselves or a sick loved one without adding financial strain.

And we listened to businesses, the measure will be phased in for employers with 25 employees or more in 2025, 11 or more in 2026 and 1 or more in 2027. Again, businesses that are already offering at least 40 hours of paid time off each year are exempt from this law.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration where it must be voted on before the 2024 legislative session ends on Wednesday, May 8^th at 12:00 am.

We've had a busy week at the Capitol. During session, we were able to pass a number of bills that will make life easier and safer for many residents of not just Ridgefield, but also the rest of Connecticut.

Some of the highlights of what we passed are:

• HB 5146: To: (1) Require financial institutions to provide certain financial records to the Commissioner of Social Services or any person deputized by said commissioner within twenty calendar days; and (2) provide that certain actions taken concerning such financial records shall not constitute a class C misdemeanor.
• HB 5308: To allow an absentee ballot applicant, who is a patient in a nursing home within six days immediately preceding the close of the polls at an election, primary or referendum, to designate someone to deliver an absentee ballot to such applicant.
• HB 5343: To establish a Connecticut prepaid college tuition program, procedures related to such program, and a related account.

During session this week, I rose in the chamber to explain why many of us were wearing denim.

International Denim Day began 25 years ago in Italy, when their Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because they believed the tight jeans worn by the survivor of the assault implied consent. The very next day, all of the women in their Parliament wore jeans in a show of solidarity.

In the Connecticut House of Representatives we wore denim to combat victim blaming, and to stand together against all sexual violence and harassment.

This session we have 4 bills that address sexual violence and I am proud to be a co-sponsor of each one.

• HB 5399 - An act concerning the criminal justice response to victims of sexual assault
• HB 5414 - An act concerning additional legal protections under the commission on human rights and opportunities statutes for victims of sexual assault, trafficking in persons and stalking
• HB 5298 - An act clarifying the meanings of sexual intercourse and sexual contact
• SB 222 - An act concerning changes to the paid family and medical leave statues which adds sexual assault to the category of family violence in existing statute

Thank you to the Center of Empowerment and Education (CEE) for bringing International Denim Day to our attention, and for all of the work you do on behalf of survivors and victims, and to all the organizations throughout Connecticut that provide this critical support.

The Transportation Committee leadership hosted a press conference with MADD last week, where we addressed the issues of driving under the influence, and outlined a few of our proposals to stop this deadly epidemic. The bottom line is, if you’re doing math to determine if you should be getting behind the wheel, you shouldn’t be.

Hear my comments by clicking on the video below.

We have so many wonderful small businesses in Ridgefield. This one has been owned and operated by women for all FIFTY of its years in business.

Senator Maher and I were so happy to stop by Bring N' Buy last weekend and talk with the owner, Tina, about the decades of history in her shop, the women who were there before her, including her brilliant and lovely mom, Patti, and how her consignment store keeps clothing out of landfill AND gives back to the community and to women and others who need some help and care.

Of course, the most enjoyable part of the visit was when she helped us pick out and style the outfits we each purchased. It doesn't hurt that Tina has such a fierce sense of style.

Shopping locally, having sustainable fashion, being woman-owned, with its long past and even longer future, and the unique finds make this store one of the great businesses of Ridgefield.

The next generation of voters and leaders is paying attention, and getting engaged.

It was such a pleasure to spend the day with this brilliant young woman -- Julia Knipsel --as she shadowed me and my aide on a session day.

Julia, you are already doing so many great things -- and I'm looking forward to seeing where all of your hard work and advocacy take you.

The Connecticut Human Society hosted their annual Puppy Day at the Capitol, bringing some adorable little snugglers to the building, to raise awareness about pet adoption and humane treatment of animals. We get to meet a lot of really wonderful people in this job – but we also get to meet cuddly advocates like this perfect little guy.

Did you know we are getting a Humane Society center right down the road in Wilton, within the next year?

Independent Bookstores are a one-of-a-kind experience and help our local economy thrive! Get out and grab your next read today to celebrate

Make sure to visit our own local bookstore, Books on the Common, for this Independent Bookstore Day!