Anabel Figueroa

The legislative session has come to an end but not before the House of Representatives passed bills supporting early education access, child nutrition, veterans, seniors, and much more. I would like to thank every constituent who shared their priorities and my colleagues in Hartford for drafting, debating, and voting on thoughtful legislation that supports the state of Connecticut.

In the past couple of days, we passed a statewide spending plan, and I'll break down how it supports Stamford.

I also want to point out that a new law will soon protect anyone with medical debt in Connecticut. Please keep reading to find out how we are helping individuals and families who still need to pay off significant hospital bills.

Traffic is moving smoothly once again on I-95 in Norwalk after crews worked around the clock to tear down a damaged overpass. Keep scrolling to find out how much funding the feds are contributing to the cleanup.

Here are the sections of today's email:

• Bipartisan Spending Stabilization Plan Passes 
• Legislative Highlights 
• New Law Will Protect Consumers with Medical Debt
• Bill Returning Local Control Over Zoning Passes
• I-95 Reopens in Norwalk
• Public Meeting on CTtransit Electric Bus Garage
• Memorial Day Parade

Remember, the two-year budget includes:

• The Largest Income Tax Cut in State History
• Investments in Public Education
• New supports for the IDD community
• Expansion of Debt-Free Community College
• A Strong and Vibrant Safety Net of Programs

We used remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide support to some important priorities such as:

• Higher Education - $160 million
• Early Childcare - $21.8 million
• Mental Health - $24 million
• Nonprofits - $50 million

We are also putting more than a billion dollars into the state's Rainy Day Fund and paying down pension debt.

I am proud to report that Connecticut is set up to succeed financially in the present as well as the future.

We have seen far too many people unfairly suffer from poor credit scores because they had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on necessary medical care. This law will protects individuals and families while simultaneously giving them opportunities to pursue dreams such as buying a house.

I am proud to support this law, which is Public Act 24-6 and takes effect July 1.

It’s clear that cities and towns should determine their own futures with public input over zoning and development on public land. I was upset with last year’s removal of the public process on eminent domain, which was hidden in an implementer last year.

Senate Bill 333 now moves to the governor’s desk for his signature.

I-95 in Norwalk is open once again after crews demolished an overpass that was damaged in a fiery crash. It took less than 80 hours for the Connecticut Department on Transportation (CTDOT) to completely reopen the highway.

After tearing down the Fairfield Avenue Bridge, crews removed tons of concrete, steel, and debris from the roadway, swept the road, milled, paved, and restriped pavement markings. I want to thank our dedicated CTDOT workers for their invaluable service to our state. 

I am beyond impressed by the response from local and state police, fire departments, contractors as well as their attention to detail from the demolition to environmental cleanup. Just take a look at the pictures below. CTDOT crews and contractors accomplished all that in about 24 hours over the weekend. Great job!

CTDOT engineers worked through the weekend to develop preliminary replacement plans of the Fairfield Avenue Bridge. They’re expected to complete those initial designs within the next two weeks.