Updates from State Rep. Hughes for Jan. 30, 2025

January 31, 2025


 
Undoubtedly you've heard of the latest attempt out of Washington, D.C., to undermine our country and spike the economy by freezing all federal non-Social Security or defense-related grants.

The order has since been rescinded, at least for now.

The unprecedented, unconstitutional executive overreach is neither shocking, nor surprising. But it is unsettling. And, unfortunately, we can expect far more of these types of actions going forward. 

Rest assured that I and my colleagues at the State Capitol will continue to fight for what's right for the state. 

Toward that end, I attended several press conferences this week on increasing pivotal funding for programs that aid the state's most vulnerable residents. 

I join in my colleagues in fully supporting increased funding for the Diaper Bank of Connecticut, increased funding for Medicaid funding in the state, which hasn't seen an increase since 2007; increased funding for the state's food banks and adding pay protections for construction workers who work on state-funded jobs. 

I will work tirelessly for these proposals to pass and hope they have bipartisan support.
 
Energy and Technology Forum *Today*
This morning’s Energy and Technology forum about the operation of our energy grid may be of great interest to you,

I urge you to join me in hearing from our PURA Chair, Marissa Gilette, our ISO New England grid folks, and others at 11 a.m.

Join on YouTube live here.
 
Diaper Bank Support
Rep. Gillian Gilchrest, House Chair of the Human Services Committee, was joined by Rep. Aundre Bumgardner to advocate in support of legislation providing Medicaid coverage for diapers to help struggling families obtain necessities to care for babies and young children.

The following was cited at the press conference:

  • Nearly one in two families struggle to afford diapers, which cost about 22% more than they did in 2018, to keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy. 
  • When a family lacks access to diapers it impacts their health and well-being as well as their parent’s mental health. 
  • Children under the age of 1 make up 40% of urinary tract infection hospitalizations. 
  • The savings will offset the cost of medical care, which impacts parents not being able to work while their children are being treated. 
  • Vermont, Delaware, Tennessee, and Minnesota have gone the route of Medicaid coverage for diapers.

I join my colleagues in support of this measure.
 
Medicaid Funding Increase
On Tuesday, House and Senate Democratic leaders announced on Tuesday a legislative proposal to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers, which is long overdue. A recent state Medicaid Rate Study found that Connecticut lags well behind peer states when paying providers under Connecticut’s Medicaid program.

Many areas of care are currently reimbursed at the same levels they were in 2007. One goal is to have providers brought up to a 75% to 80% reimbursement rate. Another goal is to create a system of automatic increases so issues like this don't keep recurring.

Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates is a worthy investment, and that’s the type of good work we’re going to keep doing here in Connecticut.
 
Protecting Our Students
The Connecticut State Department of Education has issued a guidance document to every K-12 public school district in response to questions regarding the impact that recent changes in policy guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pertaining to immigration enforcement activities may have on school operations, student privacy, and the safeguarding of students while in school.

Please scroll down to view the document.
 
Protecting Yourself
Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the U.S. Constitution.  The ACLU of Connecticut has prepared a comprehensive Immigrants' Rights & Resources Guide below. 

Learn more about your rights as an immigrant here and here.
 
Updating the State Water Plan
On Wednesday, lawmakers discussed a new bill that would update key aspects of the state's Water Plan, including water conservation, water quality control, and new policies addressing the impact of climate change on the state's water supply. 

A highlight of the discussion was a new focus on the quality, not just quantity, of water in our state.

Updating the state’s Water Plan is so important to the watershed communities of the 135th District, and has urgent support across our reservoir towns.
 
Coffee Hour
On Sunday I was joined by about 20 constituents at my first coffee hour of the 2025 session at Greiser's Coffee & Market in Easton. We had a robust discussion on a number of policy issues and I look forward to hosting more in the future.

Please stay tuned for the next one!
On Sunday I was joined by constituents from all three towns, Easton, Redding and Weston, at my first coffee hour of the 2025 session at Greiser's Coffee & Market in Easton. We had a robust discussion on a number of policy issues and I look forward to hosting more in the future.

Please stay tuned for the next one!
 
As always, please feel free to contact my office at 800-842-8267 or by email at anne.hughes@cga.ct.gov. And "Like" and follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates. 

Peace,

Anne Hughes
State Representative
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