Support for Disabled Veterans & Bill To Help Seniors

April 30, 2024

The House is proud to pass a bill supporting our veterans who put their lives on the line for our freedom. I'll break down how new legislation would bring aid to our disabled veterans.

We also voted on and approved a proposal that would protect and prioritize our elderly population. Keep scrolling to find out how this measure gives seniors the attention and resources they deserve.

Students who are passionate about saving our planet visited the Capitol for Youth Advocacy Day. Please read below to learn how they had a once in a lifetime opportunity to get their voices heard!

You will find the following sections below:

  • Supporting Our Disabled Veterans
  • Help For Our Seniors
  • Youth Advocacy Day at the Capitol
  • Promoting Early Childhood Literacy
 
Supporting Our Disabled Veterans

The House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill I co-sponsored that would support veterans who have been disabled during service. This is a small way to say, “thank you."

House Bill 5491 establishes a property tax exemption for veterans who have a service-connected permanent and total disability rating as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The exemption will be used for a home that is a primary residence, but if a qualified veteran does not own a home, the exemption will apply to a single motor vehicle they own.

More than 1,200 veterans in Connecticut are totally and permanently disabled as a result of their service.

These brave men and women have spent their lives fighting to protect our freedoms. It is our turn to support them when they come home with disabilities to ensure they live with dignity and without fear of losing their home.

The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration. This year’s session ends on May 8.
 
Help For Our Seniors
As the elderly population steadily grows, there is urgency to provide resources and assistance to this community. During Monday's legislative session, we took a significant step to achieving that goal by passing House Bill 5001, a top priority for House Democrats this session.  

HB 5001, which passed with bipartisan support, protects and prioritizes elderly residents in our state. This bill:

  • Makes it easier for seniors to age in place
  • Creates a nursing home database, providing consumers with an easy and reliable way to compare locations around the state
  • Establishes incentives to encourage nursing homes to improve care

I am glad to support a bill that gives seniors the attention and resources that they deserve. The bill now moves to the Senate.
 
Youth Advocacy Day at the Capitol
It was a pleasure to meet dozens of students who are passionate about saving our planet at Youth Advocacy Day. With the help of Sunrise Connecticut and my colleague Rep. David Michel, high school and college students were able to share their voices at the Capitol and engage directly with us in the legislative process. They spoke directly with legislators and policy makers about important issues including climate change and environmental justice.
 
Promoting Early Childhood Literacy

I was proud to join my colleagues, education leaders, and advocates to encourage more parents/guardians to read and write with their young children. Early childhood literacy is a priority in Waterbury and the rest of the state because it sets up our youth for a prosperous future.

Studies show that when we support evidence-based early literacy curricula and teaching practices, the impact is multifold, improving school achievement as well as emotional and social well-being.
Our 2023 biennial budget invested $1 million in proven literacy program across our state. This investment allowed quality programs to expand their reach, which is key for communities like ours. I support this momentum and hope to see more children from the 75th district flourish in the classroom and in their eventual careers.