Melissa Osborne

From my family to yours, I want to take a moment to send my best wishes for the holiday season. May it bring you and your loved ones peace, happiness and time well spent together. Remember that no matter how we celebrate, we also share many blessings. So, in the spirit of the season, please spread the joy that makes this time of the year truly special.

Looking ahead to the new year, I am excited for all that we will accomplish together. It is my sincere honor to represent you and work on issues that matter to our community and Connecticut.

With the holidays in mind, please remember to always drive sober. Police will be stepping up patrols to try to help keep us all safer during what should be a joyous time of the year. Please plan in advance for your holiday cheer, and think about other’s loved ones before you make a decision to drive while impaired. Read below to learn what steps you can take to ensure a safe holiday season.

Moving to the Capitol, where I am honored to serve in the next session as Vice Chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee. I will break down why this role is important as we approach the new legislative session.

A brand-new state program stands to help thousands of people pay back part of their student loan debt. There are strict requirements to determine eligibility. Keep scrolling for those details and when you can apply!

Investigators are looking into what sparked a huge fire that destroyed a building that housed nearly a dozen businesses in Simsbury. You can hear from one business owner who's received support from our community.

Here are the sections in this week's email:

• New Leadership Role
• Opportunity to Offer Ideas for Bills
• Student Loan Reimbursement Program
• Fire Destroys Building
• Report a Suspicious Sighting
• Wreaths Across America
• Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over
• Community Events

I’m honored to announce my appointment as the Vice Chair of the Government, Administration, and Elections Committee in the Connecticut General Assembly.

As your State Representative, I am deeply committed to ensuring that our election laws uphold the highest standards of honesty, fairness, and transparency. This new role provides a tremendous opportunity to work collaboratively on policies that safeguard our democratic process and strengthen public trust in government. With the experience of a year of early voting behind us, and the newly passed no-excuse absentee ballot voting ahead of us, we have a lot of work to do to get this right.

I look forward to advancing meaningful initiatives that empower voters and protect the integrity of our elections.

Thank you for your continued support. It’s an honor to serve our community!

The legislative session is just around the corner, starting on January 8, and now is the perfect time to share your ideas for laws that can make a real difference in our community. My bill proposal deadline is coming up shortly, so please contact me now with ideas on any topic including education, health care, housing, energy costs, public safety, or another issue you care deeply about.

As always, I will continue to bring my professional experiences to bear in my own quest to improve the experiences and outcomes for Connecticut residents who need to interact with our Judicial Branch. And for those of you who read this newsletter regularly will already suspect, I might have a thought or two about bears.

Starting January 1, Connecticut college students will be able to benefit from a bill we passed to alleviate student loan debt. The reimbursement program, led by House Democrats and the first of its kind in the nation, provides up to $5,000/year for up to four years (up to $20,000) in loan forgiveness. Six million dollars has been allocated in the current budget cycle and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The Office of Higher Education (OHE) may approve the participation of any person in the student loan reimbursement program who meets the following requirements:

• Must have graduated from a Connecticut state public or private college or university with a bachelor’s or associate degree or have an occupational/professional license or certificate or left such college in good standing and was granted a hardship waiver by the Office of Higher Education.
• Must be a CT resident for at least five years.
• Must have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $125,000 for single applicants and file a federal tax return as unmarried or have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $175,000 for married applicants and file a federal tax return as head of household, married filing jointly or a surviving spouse.
• Must have an outstanding student loan balance and have made payments in 2024 toward federal direct loans, federal direct PLUS loans, federal Perkins loans, CHESLA loans, other state’s sponsored student loans, or a private student loan.
• Must have volunteered for at least 50 hours at a Connecticut nonprofit organization that is registered with the Department of Consumer Protection, municipal government, served on the Board of Directors for a nonprofit organization, or has military service after January 1, 2024.

This program represents a true bipartisan effort and will have a direct impact not only on Connecticut’s economy but also on its workforce.

Questions should be directed to OHE.SLRP@CT.GOV. The application process opens on January 1.

DESPP has no authority to take down a drone. Drone operators are required to maintain a flight altitude of 400 feet or less and maintain visual line of sight by the operator. If being used for commercial purposes, drone pilots generally require a federal license.

If you are concerned for your safety, contact the state at 866-HLS-TIPS or local police. Any suspicious drone activity may be reported by CLICKING HERE.

From now through January 1, 2025, drivers across Connecticut can expect to see more law enforcement on the roads to prevent impaired driving and keep roads safe for everyone.

During the holiday season, drunk driving is a significant threat.

The CTDOT urges the public to take proactive steps to ensure a safe holiday season:

• Designate a Sober Driver: Before drinking, plan a safe way to get home. Use a ride share service, public transportation, or a designate a sober driver.
• Stay Alert on the Roads: Keep a safe distance from drivers who appear impaired. Report dangerous drivers by calling 911.
• Intervene When Necessary: If you see someone attempting to drive impaired, take their keys and help them arrange a safe ride home.

Driving under the influence of any substance, whether alcohol, cannabis, prescription medication, or over-the-counter drugs, is illegal and dangerous. Impaired driving can lead to jail time and fines.