| Time is running out as my colleagues and I try to pass as many good bills as possible before the end of the legislative session next week. The House of Representatives has spent the entire week in session, and we will do so next week before our midnight deadline on Wednesday, May 8. |
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| The House is proud to pass a bill supporting our veterans who put their lives on the line for our freedom. I'll break down how new legislation would bring aid to our disabled veterans.
We also approved a proposal that would keep families healthy while supporting local farmers. Please keep scrolling to learn how the bill improves nutrition for women and children.
A trailblazer is making history at the Hamden Fire Department. Please look below to learn how Assistant Fire Chief Shelly Carter is being a role model for girls everywhere!
Two local students are making a name for themselves with their creative artwork. You need to check out their award-winning fire prevention posters!
Here are the sections in this week's email:
- Supporting Our Disabled Veterans
- Child & Family Nutrition Bill Clears House
- Help for Our Seniors
- House Passes Comprehensive Climate Bill
- Supporting Childcare Affordability and Early Education Access
- Blocking Medical Debt from Credit Agencies
- Avoid I-95 in Norwalk After Fiery Crash
- Students Awarded for Fire Prevention Posters
- In The News
- Trailblazing Woman at Hamden Fire Department
- Leaf & Brush Collection Begins in Hamden
- Apply To March in Memorial Day Parades!
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
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| Supporting Our Disabled Veterans |
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The House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that I co-sponsored supporting veterans who have been disabled during service. This is a small way to say, “thank you" to our heroes and is long overdue.
House Bill 5491 establishes a property tax exemption for veterans who have a service-connected permanent and total disability rating as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The exemption will be used for a home that is a primary residence, but if a qualified veteran does not own a home, the exemption will apply to a single motor vehicle they own.
The Senate must now act on the bill before midnight on May 8.
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These brave men and women have spent their lives fighting to protect our freedoms. It is our turn to support them when they come home with disabilities to ensure they live with dignity and without fear of losing their home.
More than 1,200 veterans in Connecticut are totally and permanently disabled as a result of their service.
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| Child & Family Nutrition Bill Clears House |
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The House demonstrated its commitment to the health and well-being of our families and children by unanimously passing House Bill 5003. This comprehensive legislation ensures mothers and children, who are eligible for federal benefits, are enrolled in nutrition programs with ease and confidence.
This bill aims to reduce barriers to participating in WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, Children). WIC enrollment in Connecticut is among the lowest in the country at only 46%. We need to maximize participation to improve the health and nutrition of young children.
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This bill has several goals including:
- Keeping local families healthy by making it easier for Connecticut agencies to enroll children and parents who qualify into federal nutrition assistance programs
- Promoting outreach and information to access these federal programs that Connecticut underutilizes
- Supporting local farmers by encouraging their participation in these programs at farmers’ markets
Healthy children are less likely to develop nutrition-related chronic diseases, at a lower risk of cavities/tooth decay, have improved mental health, and improved participation in other social service programs.
The bill now moves to the Senate, which must act before the end of the legislative session.
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As the elderly population steadily grows, there is urgency to provide resources and assistance to this community. During Monday's legislative session, we took a significant step to achieving that goal by passing House Bill 5001, a top priority for House Democrats this session.
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HB 5001, which passed with bipartisan support, protects and prioritizes elderly residents in our state. This bill:
- Makes it easier for seniors to age in place
- Creates a nursing home database, providing consumers with an easy and reliable way to compare locations around the state
- Establishes incentives to encourage nursing homes to improve care
I am glad to co-sponsor a bill that gives seniors the attention and resources that they deserve. The bill now moves to the Senate.
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| House Passes Comprehensive Climate Bill |
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Connecticut is committed to mitigating the climate crisis. The first step is acknowledging there is a crisis.
This week, I joined my Democratic colleagues and voted to pass one of our top legislative priorities this session, HB 5004, also referred to as the 2024 Connecticut Climate Protection Act. Protecting the environment and working to combat the effects of climate change should be a shared priority because the act of doing nothing is far-reaching and touches every aspect of life on Earth.
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This bill:
- Updates the state's Global Warming Solutions Act to make our greenhouse gas emissions targets more in line with other states in the region
- Creates incentives for businesses and municipalities that engage in clean economy sectors or engage in environmentally sustainable projects
- Plans for transition to clean economy, workforce training and long-term policy implementation
- Supports and expands nature-based solutions, such as preserving marshlands and forests
We can make a difference in the quality of life for future generations of Connecticut residents. The time to start making necessary changes is now.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
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Supporting Childcare Affordability
and Early Education Access |
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The House approved another bill that I co-sponsored that will make childcare and early childhood education more affordable and accessible. The need for this legislation is great because Connecticut has one of the highest costs of childcare in the country.
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House Bill 5002 supports working parents by:
- Creating the “Early Childhood Care and Education Fund,” that may only be utilized for childcare and early childhood education programs
- Establishing the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund Advisory Commission that will report on the health of the Fund and annually update recommendations on how to best expend the resources of the Fund to the General Assembly
- Investing in teachers and assistant teachers in state-funded school readiness programs and state-funded childcare programs
- Requiring a study on the availability of space in state-owned properties that may be used for early childhood care and education programs
These are sound investments in our state’s future and will go a long way toward helping parents earn a living and provide for their children’s education.
The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
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| Blocking Medical Debt from Credit Agencies |
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The House passed Senate Bill 395, which blocks Connecticut healthcare entities from reporting medical debt to credit agencies. I defended the bill because I believe what some of my colleagues deem as elective procedures are necessary. I shared my story of a long battle with an abdominal condition on the House Floor.
Please click on the image above to hear more about my story, but more importantly to learn how this measure will help folks with medical conditions that have a significant effect on their lives.
The bill now goes to the governor's desk.
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| Avoid I-95 in Norwalk After Fiery Crash |
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I-95 in Norwalk remains closed in both directions through the weekend as crews demolish the Fairfield Avenue Bridge over the highway. As you can see above, a fuel tanker, tractor-trailer, and car crashed under the overpass on Thursday morning. Due to the damage, crews must remove the bridge and then mill and pave I-95. They will be working around the clock to get this work done as quickly as possible.
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The northbound lanes of the highway are closed at exit 14 and the southbound lanes are shut down at exit 15. I urge you to avoid this area and use public transportation until further notice.
Metro-North Railroad will provide additional weekend service and increased capacity on trains along the New Haven Line. The Connecticut Department of Transportation hopes to reopen I-95 by the morning rush hour commute on Monday, May 6.
I would like to thank every emergency responder who was involved for their heroic and quick-thinking action, which ensured that no one was seriously hurt.
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| Students Awarded for Fire Prevention Posters |
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Rumaisa Jasrah, a student at West Woods School in Hamden, and Emma Parniawski, a fifth grader from Orange, received their awards for best Connecticut fire prevention poster! The committee of that competition recognized all the county winners at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel in Rocky Hill. Both Rumaisa's and Emma’s posters will be part of the annual Statewide Fire Prevention Calendar for 2025. Congratulations to Rumaisa and Emma and their families!
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| Rumaisa Jasrah's winning poster! |
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CLICK HERE to see Emma's poster, which I shared in a previous newsletter.
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| Trailblazing Woman at Hamden Fire Department |
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For the first time in its history, the Hamden Fire Department has a woman in a leadership position. Shelly Carter was sworn in as Assistant Fire Chief last week and took a pledge to serve with dedication, pride, and unwavering determination.
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Carter is a Connecticut trailblazer. She was the first Black woman to be named fire chief in New England when she was hired as chief of the Southbury Training Center Fire Department in December 2022. Before that, Carter served with the Hartford Fire Department for more than 20 years. There she holds the distinction of being the first Black female Captain in Operations and one of the department’s first female engine drivers.
Congratulations to Assistant Fire Chief Shelly Carter! We all wish you well in this new role!
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| Leaf & Brush Collection Begins in Hamden |
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Spring leaf and brush collection will begin on Saturday, May 4 in Hamden. Crews will only conduct one sweep through the town. A collection route map is available here.
Look at the rules below if you plan on taking advantage of this service:
- Leaves must be placed in paper bags (not plastic)
- Brush must be bundled and tied with string or twine
- Bundles should weigh no more than 50 pounds, exceed no more than four feet in length, and contain no pieces in excess of four inches in diameter
- Bundled brush and bagged leaves should be placed curbside separate of each other and away from April bulk pickup items
- No items should be placed in the street or in any way block a sidewalk
- Disposal of root systems, grass clippings and soil are prohibited
Those show live on private roads may bring leaves to the Transfer Station.
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| Apply To March in Memorial Day Parades! |
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| The Towns of Hamden and Orange are accepting applications to march in their respective Memorial Day Parades.
CLICK HERE if you would like to participate in the Hamden parade. You have until Friday, May 10 to apply.
CLICK HERE to take part in Orange's parade! If you have any questions or need more information, please email the Parade Committee at parade@orange-ct.gov. |
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| Check out the events below, and click the button at the bottom of this section to access the community calendar. |
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| St. Mary-St. Michael School invites you to join its annual SAINTS GOT TALENT Showcase. It's all happening this Saturday at the Derby High School Auditorium. Doors open at 5:00 P.M. and the show begins 30 minutes later. |
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| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
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| Take a look at the fliers below to learn more about upcoming events. Make sure to click on the button at the bottom of this section. |
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| Please register for this special event by Wednesday, May 12. Print out the flier, cut the bottom part, fill out the registration form, and send it to the address listed. |
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| Check out the flier and community calendar in Orange below. |
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| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
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| Check out the events below, and access the Woodbridge community calendar by clicking on the button at the bottom. |
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The Massaro Community Farm is hosting a beekeeping workshop where you'll get to perform routine hive inspection. Participants will evaluate the brood pattern and look for swarm cells. The event will take place on Saturday, May 4 at 9:00 A.M.
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Check out a vibrant celebration of young talent at ART IN BLOOM: Southern CT Hebrew Academy 5th-8th Grade Girls Art Show in the Hoos Family Gallery! 
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 9 | 7:30 P.M.
Hoos Family Art Gallery, 360 Amity Road, Woodbridge
Art On Display: May 9 through May 29
Step into the vibrant world of young artists as they unveil their artwork! From classical themes to modern expressions, witness 40 students' incredible journey with gouache and oil paint over six months. Click on the link to RSVP: https://loom.ly/nYpb5u0.
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