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Last Wednesday I attended a press conference on the third-annual Food Insecurity Awareness Day at the Capitol. That there is a third annual day shows we have more work to do. No child in Connecticut, or anywhere for that matter, should be hungry. Yet one in six kids in Connecticut are food insecure. More than 450,000 residents have faced hunger in the state. Nearly 90 MILLION meals are needed to close the gap annually in Connecticut.
That's wrong and it's a failure. It's why I support the legislation before the House that address food insecurity, like increasing resources for students and special education children, and increasing funding for nutrition assistance.
I will continue to work tirelessly until the number of people going hungry is zero. |
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| Legislation Passes the House |
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Last week, the House voted in favor of HB 5004: An Act Concerning the Protection of the Environment and the Development of Renewable Energy Sources and Associated Job Sectors.
As our state is increasingly feeling the impacts of climate change, it is the legislature's job to enact meaningful change for the safety of our residents and to emerge as a leader on climate solutions.
This bill takes a comprehensive, practical, and equitable approach to protecting our environment - from homes and schools to jobs and land. It sets clear goals, removes barriers, and puts people and sustainability first, all through the lens of affordability. |
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Key provisions of the bill include:
- Setting new goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions—including an economy-wide net-zero target by 2050—without imposing costs on ratepayers
- Supporting clean energy jobs and businesses through tax incentives, rebates, and a council to guide workforce transitions
- Developing strategic plans and expanding access to clean technologies
- Expanding loan and grant programs to include more climate-smart projects and ensuring funds benefit low-income residents and renters
- Developing plans that address the triple impact of reducing energy costs, lowering emissions, and supporting climate resilience
- Encouraging nature based solutions for reaching our greenhouse gas reduction and other climate goals
HB 5004 is a wide-ranging measure that focuses on affordability, energy efficiency, and developing a clean economy, and I was proud to cast my vote in favor.
The bill must now pass the Senate and get signed into law by the governor.
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The House also passed a number of bills during three session days last week, including the following:
- House Bill 7081: An Act Concerning Licensure Portability for Marriage and Family Therapists to help address the severe mental health workforce shortage in our state
- House Bill 7102: An Act Concerning Maternal and Infant Health Care to develop a strategic plan to increase the number of birth centers and birthing hospitals in the state and expand the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative’s (CFI) objectives to include expanding fathers’ role in supporting maternal health.
- House Bill 7042: An Act Concerning Implementation of the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act which acts to create greater gun safety by allowing victims of violence who are harmed by irresponsible actions by gun manufacturers, gun dealers and gun sellers to file suit.
- House Bill 6442: An Act Concerning Military Affairs in Connecticut or the HERO Act, which will better serve our veterans and military personnel in various ways, including naming November as Veterans Month, creating new commemorative license plates, honoring women and Puerto Rican veterans, and making it easier for military families to transfer schools.
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| Business Improvement District Survey |
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The city of Norwalk and Redevelopment Agency are asking residents, business owners and the entire Norwalk community to participate in a short survey designed to gather input on the possible creation of a Business Improvement District.
By participating, residents and business owners play a vital role in shaping the future of Norwalk’s business environment.
The survey is available online in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole and respondents will be able to select their preferred language upon opening. The survey should take less than 10 minutes and will be open until June 5.
To reach a broad audience and gather diverse perspectives, community members are encouraged not only to complete the survey but to also share it within their professional and social networks.
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The city of Norwalk’s Recreation and Parks Department has partnered with Paint, Draw & More to host Drawing Mixed Media classes for children ages 5 to 8! These art sessions will allow children to express their creativity by using markers, watercolors, and pastels to create projects.
All materials will be provided!
Classes will begin Wednesday, May 7, and will end Wednesday, June 11, and will meet every Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Norwalk Senior Center, in classroom A.
To register for the Drawing Mixed Media classes, please create or sign up using an Active Net account. If you don’t have an account, you can open one by visiting http://scb.ai/Nvtpyt |
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Registration for session 2 of the City of Norwalk Parks & Rec Department’s Spring Outdoor Junior and Adult Tennis classes opened Wednesday!
Junior Tennis classes and Adult will be available on Mondays or Wednesdays at the Mathews Park Tennis Courts.
Adult Tennis will be available on Mondays or Wednesdays at the Mathews Park Tennis Courts.
If participants decide to sign up for Monday classes, they will begin on Monday, May 19. If participants sign up for Wednesday classes, classes will begin on Wednesday, May 21.
To register for Junior or Adult tennis lessons, please create or sign up using an Active Net account. If you don’t have an account, you can open one by visiting http://scb.ai/Nvtpyt |
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Spring is here! Time to enjoy Norwalk’s beautiful parks and beaches and also a time to make sure your vehicle is registered in our system! From Thursday, May 15 to Wednesday, October 15, parking will be enforced at the following locations:
- Calf Pasture & Shady Beach
- Veterans Park
- Cranbury Park
- Taylor Farm Dog Park
- Marvin Elementary School
Norwalk residents are asked to check that their license plate is on the Grand List to receive a 2025 Resident Beach Parking Pass by visiting https://hub.norwalkct.gov/ResidentBeachPass/.
If you're on the Grand List, you're also eligible for a FREE Disposal Pass to the Norwalk Transfer Station & Yard Waste Site. Residents can check that their license plate is on the Grand List for a free Disposal Pass by visiting https://hub.norwalkct.gov/ResidentDisposalPass/.
If your license plate is NOT on the Grand List, you can still get your pass by showing proof that your vehicle is registered in Norwalk by following one of the steps below:
Visit City Hall, located at 125 East Ave, Norwalk, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. OR, you can email a photo of your registration to: residentpass@norwalkct.gov.
For non-residents, caregivers or to purchase passes, please visit the city of Norwalk Recreation & Parks front desk to the left of room 225. For questions, please email us at residentpass@norwalkct.gov or call 203-854-780.
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As always, feel free to call me at 1-800-842-8267 or email me at Travis.Simms@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or concerns. Also, please like my official Facebook Page for regular updates.
Sincerely,
Travis Simms
State Representative
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