Jaime Foster

With the two-year $26 billion budget passed by the legislature last year remaining strong and in balance, we were able to make much-needed new investments in important areas such as higher education, early childcare, mental health services, and our non-profit community.

Warmer weather is on the way and we're less than two weeks away from the end of this legislative session. I have info to share with you regarding bills the House has passed, remembering "Magic Dan," celebrating Earth Day, welcoming a new police chief in Vernon, and more.

Public safety is one of government's most important responsibilities, and legislation passed by the House of Representatives takes aim at stopping the growing threat of "street takeovers."

A recent phenomenon that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, the brazen public safety threat known as "street takeovers" have become a growing national issue, including a number of dangerous incidents in Connecticut towns.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced a milling & resurfacing project will be performed on Route 74 in Vernon from the Ellington/Vernon Town Line to Route 83, starting April 21.

Yesterday, I asked the House Chamber to observe a moment of silence in memory of Dan Sclare, known to many in Ellington as "Magic Dan." Dan passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his Ellington home on April 3. He was 78 years old. While his family and friends mourn his loss, they will always remember how he lived his life full of magic, wonder, and joy.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dan can be made to: Friends of the Hall Memorial Library, PO Box 280, Ellington, CT 06029. Note Dan Sclare in the memo line. Donations can also be made to the CJD Foundation - https://cjdfoundation.org/

The "Moving Beyond Implications" collaboration was highlighted recently by the House Democratic Caucus.

We have just under a month to go before Sine Die on the 2024 legislative session. I'm happy to share with you that HB 5003, "An Act Concerning Child and Family Nutrition," a bill I'm championing through the legislative process - had its public hearing on March 18 in the Public Health Committee and passed out of committee on the 20th! I'm excited to bring this bill out on the House Floor and answer any questions my colleagues have on it.

CTDOT has announced the implementation of alternating traffic on Route 140 and the detour of Newell Hill Road beginning April 15, weather permitting.

The purpose of the project is to increase the sight distances on Route 140 (Crystal Lake Road) for the Burbank Road intersection.