Travis Simms

On Thursday, the House was in session and passed two important bills: Senate Bill 298 and Senate Bill 299.

Senate Bill 298 is a comprehensive measure that advances several key priorities for our communities. It delivers millions of dollars in targeted grants and earmarks to support local projects and organizations. The bill strengthens education by extending the moratorium on measures addressing racial imbalance in schools and providing $750,000 to the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) for teacher training.

It supports first responders by aiding the firefighter cancer relief fund and increases reimbursement rates for intermediate care facilities. The bill also updates child support enforcement, behavioral health regulations, and freedom of information and election laws to improve efficiency and transparency.

For workers, SB 298 establishes stronger, worker-friendly standards for warehouse operations, including a clear private right of action so employees can seek damages if workplace standards are violated. It revises police training standards for interactions with individuals with disabilities, adjusts municipal pension calculations, and repeals a prior building code change to ensure responsible development standards. It also includes a certificate-of-need change designed to support UConn Health.

Senate Bill 299 addresses bottle redemption fraud following the increase in Connecticut’s beverage container deposit. The bill increases penalties for fraudulently redeeming out-of-state containers and lowers the threshold from 2,500 to 1,000 containers before identification is required at redemption centers. These changes protect the integrity of the system while maintaining the 10-cent deposit.

Together, these measures invest in education, workers, healthcare, public safety, and consumer protection — delivering support and clear standards that benefit residents, businesses, and communities across Connecticut.

After 46 years of dedicated service, my dear colleague Mary Mushinsky has announced she will not seek re-election to the 85th District seat.

Rep. Mushinsky said that balancing legislative work, career, and family has become more challenging over time, and she will conclude her 24th term at the end of this session.

Throughout her tenure in the Connecticut General Assembly, Mary has chaired the Environment Committee, the Select Committee on Children, and the bipartisan Program Review and Investigations Committee, and she currently serves as Assistant Deputy Speaker Pro-Tempore. A nationally recognized environmental leader and longtime member of the National Conference of State Legislatures, she helped pass the nation’s first climate change laws, advanced mandatory recycling, anti-bullying policies, adolescent pregnancy prevention initiatives, and championed the earned income tax credit.

Her bipartisan job training report led to Platform to Employment, achieving a 94% placement rate.

From protecting our rivers to expanding the Quinnipiac River Linear Trail, Mary’s legacy is one of tireless advocacy, integrity, and results.

Our community and state are stronger because of her service.

I also support a bill, HB 5214, which would reimburse school districts for providing breakfast at no cost to all students and lunch at no cost to students currently eligible for reduced-price meals. Last year’s version of the legislation received more than 60 co-introducers, and I hope for even broader bipartisan support this year amid growing concerns about food insecurity and recent federal policy changes.

Connecticut now has the highest rate of food insecurity in New England and one of the highest rates in the Northeast. At a time when federal nutrition assistance programs face uncertainty and proposed cuts, it is critical that we act at the state level to ensure no child is trying to learn while hungry.

Generation Power CT, formerly known as Operation Fuel, opens its fourth application cycle from March 2 to 10. Eligible Connecticut households can receive a one-time grant of up to $500 to help with electric, gas, or fuel expenses.

All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% SMI gross household income. For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant, GPCT strongly encourages households to apply for assistance when they are most in need.

To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, click HERE. 

It's easier than ever to follow along and get involved. There are several resources you can utilize that will help you stay updated on the legislative process as it unfolds in Hartford.

Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:  

• The Office of Legislative Research (OLR) provides nonpartisan and unbiased research to members of the General Assembly and its staff. Part of OLR's duties include writing bill analyses, which are summaries of bills in plain language. 
• You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website. 
• Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, press conferences, as well as House and Senate floor debates. 
• Click here to register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change. 
• Click here for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.

Together, we can ensure all voices are heard.