Kate Farrar

The Capitol welcomed a wide range of visitors this week, highlighting the many voices and communities engaged in the legislative process. From the fun and educational celebration of Penguin Day with guests visiting from Mystic Aquarium to AARP Day bringing together advocates for older adults, the building was full of energy and meaningful conversations. I also welcomed our West Hartford Town Clerk Leon Davidoff and hosted the Parent Leadership Training Institute members from around the Hartford region. 

It was a great reminder of how the Capitol serves as a hub for learning, advocacy, and collaboration across so many different issues and interests.

Starting May 1, Connecticut residents can expect some welcome relief on their energy bills. Earlier this week, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) approved an interim decision to lower residential electricity rates across the state.

Under this change, rates will decrease by approximately 4.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, about $30 per month for the average Eversource customer, and 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour, or roughly $34 per month, for the average United Illuminating customer.

Thank you to Governor Lamont and Lt. Governor for coming to Newington’s John Wallace Middle School yesterday to express their strong support for universal free school breakfast, and free lunch for students who now receive reduced prices based on family eligibility.

Connecticut must act to ensure no child goes hungry while learning. There’s less than two weeks until the last day of the 2026 session and I will be working hard with many of my colleagues including Rep. Turco to get this passed into law.

This week in the legislature we met for four days late into the night. These are some of the highlights of the legislation we passed.

We passed legislation to make sure our 2026 elections are free and fair with House Bill: 5001: An Act Concerning Absentee Voting For All And Various Other Reforms to the Administration of Elections.

We took steps to:

• Modernize our absentee ballot laws and vote counting procedures
• Create more safeguards to ensure your vote counts
• Protect our elections from corrupt outside forces including ICE 

Additionally, we’ll empower the Attorney General to prevent people from interfering with our elections, among other provisions. People’s right to vote is under constant attack around the country, but here in Connecticut, we’re making sure elections are free and fair.

The House also passed House Bill 5044: An Act Establishing Connecticut Vaccine Standards.

In the past, Connecticut's vaccine policies and standards were tied to the expert recommendations developed by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, the CDC has recently abandoned its standing as the premier resource of medicine and science guidelines. The bill will:

• Allow CT to buy vaccines from suppliers other than the CDC
• Allow DPH to promote COVID and flu vaccines
• Require private insurance companies to cover vaccination costs
• Tighten loopholes around unvaccinated children and public schools

The bill does not give the state authority to mandate vaccines. The existing process for school vaccine requirements remains unchanged and must still go through the full regulatory process and the bill explicitly states that individuals are not required to receive medical interventions, even during a public health emergency.

What this bill does is allow the state to set a “standard of care” that primarily impacts insurance coverage and access, making sure vaccines people choose to receive are affordable and available. In Connecticut, good medicine and science will continue to guide us.

In an effort to ensure that children do not fall through the cracks when they are withdrawn from public school, the House passed House Bill 5460: An Act Concerning the Provision of Equivalent Instruction to establish a set of procedures that balance student safety with the rights and privacy of parents who are responsibly educating their children.

These measures are designed to maintain appropriate oversight and communication between families and schools, while respecting parental choice in education. Key provisions in the bill include: 

• Creating an annual notification form for all students to indicate whether a child will be attending a public school, private school, or being homeschooled. This helps ensure accurate enrollment tracking and supports continued engagement with families.
• Requiring schools to check Department of Children and Families (DCF) records for any active protective orders or open cases of abuse or neglect prior to a child being withdrawn from school. This step is intended to help ensure that any necessary safeguards are in place for vulnerable children during transitions.

Together, these procedures provide a balanced approach that prioritizes child safety, improves accountability, and respects the rights of parents and guardians.

Finally, as a member of the AAPI Caucus, I joined two events this week to learn and celebrate our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. First, there was a new AAPI Data Report released as part of an effort to strengthen data visibility for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Too often, AAPI communities are overlooked or misrepresented in data, making it more difficult to identify disparities, allocate resources, and advocate for meaningful support. This report helps shine a light on those gaps while highlighting key challenges and opportunities, and it serves as a call to action for more inclusive and intentional data practices. Click here to watch the AAPI Data Event. 

I was also proud to join the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity (CWCSEO) in celebrating the second annual recognition of May as AAPI Restaurant Month. There are so many incredible businesses that bring our communities together over delicious food! 

Join me and the Newington Delegation on Sunday, April 26 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Doogie's (2525 Berlin Tpke, Newington) for our Hot Dog Lunch. 

RSVP to bernie.kellman@cga.ct.gov.

This is a time for advocates, survivors, their loved ones, and the broader community to come together to speak openly about sexual violence by supporting survivors, raising awareness, deepening understanding, and identifying effective strategies and resources to prevent it.

If you need support, The Connecticut Alliance to end Sexual Violence offers a 24-hour toll-free hotline, call 1-888-999-5545 (English) or 1-888-568-8332 (Spanish).

On Tuesday, April 28 at 6:00 p.m., a public information meeting to review potential locations for the red-light-running cameras in West Hartford will be held at the Elmwood Community Center (1106 New Britain Avenue).

If you have questions or want to learn more about the Town's Red Light Running Camera Program send an email to: visionzero@westhartfordct.gov.

Anyone requiring auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or modification of policies or procedures to participate in a meeting, service, program, or activity of the Town of West Hartford should contact Suzanne Oslander, ADA Coordinator, at suzanneo@westhartfordct.gov or (860) 561-7580.

On Thursday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m., join a virtual conversation focused on practical, real-world strategies. You’ll walk away with insights on:

• strengthening your financial knowledge
• building wealth with intention
• creating long-term stability for yourself and your family

This is more than just another financial talk—it’s an opportunity to position yourself for a stronger, more secure future.

Click here to register.

Spring is here and Elmwood Blooms is back! Founded by longtime resident and businessman Charlie Hilborn, Elmwood Blooms has brought neighbors and local businesses together for over a decade to brighten New Britain Avenue with beautiful floral planters.

Thanks to the generosity of nearly 100 residents and Friends of Elmwood each year, our streets come alive with color and pride.

Keep Elmwood blooming with a donation that directly supports the purchase and care of these planters that make our neighborhood shine.
 
Click here to donate online or mail a check by May 12 to KNOX, Inc. (Attn: Elmwood Blooms!) to Jason Carl, Director of Landscape Operations, KNOX, Inc., 75 Laurel Street, Hartford, CT 06106