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| Friends and Neighbors,
Sure, it's "March Madness" for men's and women's college basketball, but in the Connecticut General Assembly we are marching toward the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session on May 8. Madness is absent, for the most part (haha), but we are working against the clock when it comes to legislation. The good news, just like our basketball contemporaries, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, have been efficient in their execution, meeting JF deadlines with their priority bills.
But there is still committee work to do, followed by debates on the House and Senate floors, so right now we're at the equivalent stage of the first round of the tournament. But hopefully by Sine Die, it will feel like we're celebrating a championship.
In meantime, you should have placed your bets on how hard into a sportball metaphor I’d go this time of year. Likely winners may have been those with accurate brackets still in play.
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| To stay informed with everything happening in Hartford, click the "At the Capitol, In District, & Beyond" link below, but also please check out the other subject links in this intro to go right to the topic in the body of this email.
You can find additional resources and information on my website. If there's something you need help with that isn't included in this email, please check my website. If you can't find what you're looking for there, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. |
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| The Education Committee has been densely busy but completed its work for the 2024 legislative session this week by advancing a full slate of bills with a couple of days to spare ahead of the JF deadline.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the members of the Education Committee, especially my co-chair, Sen. Doug McCrory, and our ranking members, Sen. Eric Berthel and Rep. Kathleen McCarty, for all of their hard work, and the time and energy that they put into getting us where we are. We have a number of impactful proposals, some that will now move through other committees. We look forward to continuing our discussions and negotiations with impacted and effected people and organizations. Our priorities remain the same: our students; our families; our educators.
One area that we are united around as a committee is opposition to a proposal by the administration to redirect money earmarked for K-12 education to early childhood education.
Lawmakers and advocates held a press conference last month to rebuke any framing this as a funding fight as between early childhood education and K-12 education. We can and we should fund both and the attempt to pit us against each other is not the path forward as could be seen by rhetoric and unity on display.
To watch the full press conference, which occurred prior to an Appropriations Committee public hearing on K-12 education funding, please click the link below:
CT-N: Capitol News Briefing on Education Funding
The Education Committee has also held multiple public hearings during the last few weeks. If you're interested in seeing what people think about some of legislative proposal, below is the on-demand slate of public hearings:
February 21 Education Committee Public Hearing
February 28 Education Committee Public Hearing
March 6 Education Committee Public Hearing
March 11 Education Committee Public Hearing
March 13 Education Committee Public Hearing
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I will keep you up to date as these bills progress through the House and Senate.
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Last week, the Town of Manchester was awarded $3.5 million from the Community Investment Fund 2030 for its new downtown library project!
Libraries are far more than repositories – they are vital community assets that deliver free resources, lifelong learning and serve as social hubs and space for the democratization of access to information regardless of socioeconomic background. I appreciate the investment the CIF Board is making in community, education, social connections, and ultimately a vibrant and informed Manchester.
Read more about the Community Investment Fund 2030 Board's funding approval at https://bit.ly/CIF2030ManchesterLibrary
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Great news! The Aging Committee approved HB 5001, an omnibus bill that will provide further support to our seniors.
This proposal is a priority for the House Democrats, and I am thrilled it is progressing through the legislative process.
Issues impacting seniors are often ignored. Our elderly residents need support and access to resources that will provide them with the best quality of life possible. HB 5001 does this by:
- Requiring additional training of home care workers
- Creating a more efficient process for accessing Medicaid
- Expanding the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Click here to read an article that explores additional details of the bill.
Our aging population faces a growing list of challenges that are not isolated incidents. As our society gets older, these issues will only become more pronounced. HB 5001 not only acknowledges these complexities but also paves the way for crucial improvements. This legislation will ensure that our seniors will age gracefully. Next stop, the House Floor!
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The Presidential Preference Primary is coming up, and (for the first time EVER!) Early Voting will be available here in Connecticut!
The early voting dates for this election have been modified to reflect the Good Friday holiday and Easter Sunday. Early Voting will be held Tuesday, March 26 through Thursday, March 28 and Saturday, March 30. Presidential Preference Primary Day is Tuesday, April 2.
If you're saying, "That's great, but where do I go?" Well, just keep reading!
East Hartford is offering Early Voting at Raymond Library on the second floor between 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on March 26, 27, 28, and 30.
Manchester's Early Voting will be held at Mahoney Recreation Center between 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on March 26, 27, 28, and 30.
Amplify your impact, vote early!
Again, this is being done for the first time ever, so please be patient and kind to the amazing local registrars and their teams getting the good work done!
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I am committed to promoting the health and well-being of our community’s families and children (healthy kids make better learners!). In response to the vital need for improved childhood nutrition, we are working on crafting comprehensive legislation that ensures mothers and children who are eligible for federal benefits are enrolled in these programs with ease and confidence.
WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, Children) enrollment in Connecticut is among the lowest in the country at 46%. Not maximizing participation in this program is resulting in worse outcomes for the health and nutrition of young children.
Child nutrition is important for many reasons including:
- Strengthening the child's immune system
- Providing essential vitamins and minerals
- Enhancing brain development
- Encouraging physical growth
- Setting the stage for healthy eating habits for a lifetime
Healthy nutrition is also tied to preventing chronic disease, improving mental health, and helping build strong bones and teeth.
As HB 5003, which is a priority bill, moves through the legislative process, I urge you to show your support for it. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our youngest community members.
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The ArrayRx program is now OPEN.
This free program that can save Connecticut residents up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state. There's no cost, age restriction or income restriction to join. To sign up, please click here.
Visit the ArrayRx web site and enter your name, your email address, birth date, home address and zip code. After signing up, you will be emailed a digital discount card.
The program is part of Public Act 23-171, An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs, which I proudly supported during the 2023 Legislative Session.
For more information on ArrayRx, including a drug price lookup tool, visit arrayrxcard.com.
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| For local and state resources, click the links below:
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March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Amplify is hosting its annual Problem Gambling Awareness Event next week: Veteran Gambling: A Silent Struggle on Tuesday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at 178 Oakwood Drive in Glastonbury. Breakfast is provided, and the event will start promptly at 9:30am.
Dave Yeager, host of the “Fall In” podcast will offer a presentation about gambling within the veteran community followed by stories from those with lived experience. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other legislators plan to attend.
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The Town of East Hartford in collaboration with the East Hartford Veterans Commission announced that the third annual East Hartford’s Memorial Day parade and series of events will take place Monday, May 27 at 10 a.m.
The event will consist of three parts, including a parade, program at the Fallen Star Memorial and celebration of East Hartford. The parade will begin promptly at 10 AM, proceeding from 9 Riverside Drive to the Fallen Star Memorial located at Goodwin University.
Those who would like to march in the Memorial Day Parade are asked to register by Wednesday, May 1.
Anyone interested in volunteering, please register by Wednesday, May 1.
To make the event possible, the town would like to extend sponsorship opportunities to local businesses and organizations. Those who wish to sponsor the event or offer in-kind services, please fill out the electronic form below by Wednesday, May 1.
East Hartford is also accepting applications from vendors who wish to participate in the Memorial Day event. Vendors will have to set up and disassemble their own tables, tents and chairs. Vendors who wish to participate are asked to register Wednesday, May 1.
The parade will be followed by a program at the Fallen Star Memorial and a family-friendly celebration of East Hartford with food trucks, music and activities.
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Below are a variety of resources and links to federal benefits for veterans. For more information, visit U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Hotlines
- Toll-Free 24/7 Referral Services: 1-877-WAR-VETS (1-877-927-8387)
- VA Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988 then Press 1 or Text 838255
Resources
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Let's rock n' roll!
On Sunday from 12-3 p.m. at the Hall of Fame Silver Lanes in East Hartford is MARC's 11th Annual Rockin' Bowl-A-Thon! Let's have some bowling fun! All proceeds benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Joining the fun is simple! Register online to create or join a team. All bowler registrations are needed by March 1 at marcct.org/bowl-a-thon.
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East Hartford Works! invites all those who are prepared to take the first step toward home ownership, to the Getting Your First Mortgage workshop. The mortgage 101 workshop will be held Wednesday, April 3 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Raymond Library. Attendees will hear from expert loan officers about learning all the fundamentals of home buying including:
- Determining your credit needs
- Getting your financial profile in order
- Learning about available down payments assistance programs
- How your mortgage payment is calculated and the next steps to take
Please register in advance at this link, as space is limited!
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East Hartford Public Library has a great lineup of April events that you don’t want to miss!
The East Hartford Public Library is the place to be for the upcoming Great American Solar Eclipse on April 8 from 2-5 p.m.
There will be good visibility from the lawns of Raymond Library and Wickham Memorial Library, and the eclipse will take place between 2:13 and 4:37 p.m. Register for a reminder on the library's online calendar of events. In the event of inclement weather, there will be an indoor eclipse celebration at the Raymond Library.
Attend any library program during the remainder of March to receive a free pair of eclipse viewing glasses. One pair of glasses per person please. To get up to the minute details about other glasses giveaway opportunities, keep an eye on easthartfordct.gov/library) and facebook.com/easthartfordpubliclibrary.
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There are also several spring vacation programs.
Job Prep for Teens: Monday-Friday, April 8-12, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Are you between the ages of 14-24 and looking for help finding a job? Join us at Raymond Library for a series of in-person workshops sponsored in partnership with East Hartford Works! Participants MUST attend at least one session to receive an invitation for Friday's Job Fair. Registration required. For complete program descriptions and a link to the registration form, visit our online calendar of events.
- Monday: Resume Prep and Customer Service/Personal Branding Training
- Tuesday: Red Cross Babysitters Training (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) or Adult & Pediatric First Aid (9 a.m.-2 p.m.); lunch provided
- Wednesday: Credit for Life Fair with Liberty Bank
- Thursday: Communication and Teamwork
- Friday: Job Fair
Read to Dogs: Tuesday, April 9, 11- a.m.-12 p.m.
Members of the Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs group will be here with their dogs. Sign up to spend time each month reading together. Reading aloud to a dog can improve fluency, confidence, and comfort around dogs. Children and teens can sign up to read to a dog for 15 minutes at Raymond Library. Bring your own book or borrow one from the library! Registration is required. Best suited for children ages 5 and up who are reading independently. Register on our online calendar of events.
Wickham Program: Acrobat Li Liu with Elegant Equilibristics and Other Cool Stuff: Tuesday, April 9, 6:30 p.m.
Li Liu was born in the city of Shenyang in The Northeast of China. At the age of 6 she began her acrobatic training, and the following year she was chosen to attend The Chinese National Circus School in the capitol city of Beijing. While in Beijing she trained for eight hours a day until she was 16. For many years Ms. Liu traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa and Asia with The Liaoning Acrobatic Arts Troupe. She came to the United States in 2000 with Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus and toured all over the US for two years. She has been living in the U.S. and working as a freelance performer since 2003. Li Liu’s performance is made possible through funding from the East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts as a program celebrating the contribution of immigrants. For all ages. Register for a reminder.
Makerspace Program - Paint By Number: Thursday, April 11, 6-7 p.m.
Have a fun and relaxing evening in the Makerspace at Raymond Library painting a paint-by-number. Registration required.
Blackout Poetry: Friday, April 12, 2-4 p.m.
Stop by Raymond Library and take markers to old books and find the poems hidden within the pages. For ages 8 and up. No registration required.
LEGO Play Day: Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. and Sunday, April 14, 2-4 p.m.
Use your imagination to build and create with LEGOs! Pick a design challenge card out of the bowl or make a creation of your own choosing. Completed LEGO masterpieces will stay on display at the library for the rest of the week. Program is for children of all ages. Duplo blocks will be available for our youngest builders. Register for a reminder on our online calendar of events.
Information about library programs and services at both branches can be found on our website: easthartfordct.gov/library or by calling the Raymond Library circulation desk at 860-290-4330.
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| For local resources, click the links below:
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| Through the state's Department of Labor, the American Job Center offers resources, information, and support for individuals throughout the state searching for a job. You can receive help writing a resume and attend interview technique workshops for those currently on the job hunt. For more information, click here. |
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| The State of Connecticut is hiring! You can find a variety of seasonal, part-time, and full-time positions. There are jobs open to members of the public as well as those already employed at a state agency or organization. You can find a full list of openings here. |
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| EAST HARTFORD:
Click here for the Town Meetings calendar.
Click here for the Community Events calendar.
Click here for information on the East Hartford Public Library.
Click here for East Hartford Community Television. |
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| MANCHESTER:
Click here for the Town Meetings and Community Events Calendar.
Click here for information on the Manchester Public Library.
Click here for Manchester Public Television. |
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
A full calendar of upcoming events and meetings happening at the State Capitol and Legislative Office Building is available on the General Assembly website.
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