Highlights from a Busy Legislative Session

June 13, 2025


 
 

My colleagues and I are looking ahead to next year after passing many priority bills in the 2025 legislative session. A former Speaker of the House joined my radio show to dig deeper into some of our largest accomplishments including funding for special education.

While I provided a comprehensive summary of our legislative work in last week's newsletter, I have not had the opportunity to tell you about the important transportation bills we passed. I'll walk you through how these laws will improve safety and make a difference for our community.

Here are the sections in today's email:

  • Let's Talk About It: Session Recap
  • Safer Streets & Smarter Infrastructure
  • North Windham Students Visit Capitol
  • Poetry in the Park 2025
 

Let's Talk About It: Session Recap

We discussed some of the highlights from a busy legislative session on my weekly radio show "Let's Talk About It." Former Speaker of the House, Joe Aresimowicz, joined us to break down key issues we tackled including energy bill relief, special education, early childhood medication, and Medicare funding.

Due to his leadership and extensive experience, Aresimowicz has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to understanding legislation, negotiating with different parties, understanding the public impact of new laws, and much more.

In this week's episode, we go in-depth on those issues, what the upcoming gubernatorial race could look like, and how the federal government's inconsistent policies complicated our jobs as lawmakers this session.

Click on the video below to listen to our entire show.
Former Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz discusses
some of our legislative highlights from this year's session.
 

Safer Streets & Smarter Infrastructure

I have not had the opportunity to share that I joined my colleagues in the House and Senate in passing two key transportation bills that reflect Connecticut’s commitment to safer streets, smarter infrastructure, and modernized services.

The provisions in the legislation include:

  • Increasing state funding to our local transit districts, helping local governments apply for federal grants
  • Strengthening DUI and BUI (boating) penalties
  • Improving pedestrian safety in new crosswalks
  • Updating helmet rules on bikes and motorcycles for young people
  • 50% fare discount to seniors, veterans, minors, and the disabled on state-owned buses
  • Creating a “yellow envelope” program to improve interactions between the police and people with disabilities

The governor still needs to sign these bills into law.
 

North Windham Students Visit Capitol

I had the honor of welcoming an enthusiastic group of third grade students from North Windham Elementary School to the House chamber during their recent visit to the State Capitol.

It was truly inspiring to see their excitement as they toured the historic building, learned about the legislative process, and saw how our government works.

They asked thoughtful questions, demonstrated genuine curiosity, and brought an infectious energy to the building. Experiences like this can spark a lifelong interest in public service and civic responsibility.

Thank you to the teachers, parents, and staff that made this visit possible!
 

Poetry in the Park 2025

I am thrilled to unveil a fantastic lineup for Poetry in the Park! It's an annual summer series of poetry readings in the Julia De Burgos Park in Willimantic sponsored by the Curbstone Foundation.