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| Our work at the Capitol is intensifying as we work against the clock to pass as many beneficial bills as possible. The House unanimously passed a proposal cracking down on street takeovers. I'll break down how this bill will protect our community and hopefully deter this illegal activity.
Beware of a new scam preying on unsuspecting utility customers! Please keep scrolling to find out how the scheme works and how to avoid becoming a victim.
We celebrated with the UConn men's basketball team on Husky Day at the Capitol! Please look below to see some of the best pictures from that party!
Here are the sections in this week's email:
- Cracking Down on Street Takeovers
- PEZ vs Lollipop Debate
- Utility Scam Alert
- Funding for Hamden Police Department
- UConn Champs Visit House Chamber
- Support for Young Girls
- Legislators Play in Charity Kickball Game
- Interns Debate on House Floor
- Puppies at the Capitol!
- In The News
- Apply To March in Memorial Day Parades!
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
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| Cracking Down on Street Takeovers |
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On Wednesday, the House of Representatives took bipartisan and unanimous action to help cities and towns improve safety as we voted 148-0 to pass House Bill 5413 to control street takeovers, which have proven to be a concern for many of our residents.
Street takeovers have become a local and national issue since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This cannot become the new normal. These takeovers by the illegal use of all-terrain and other type of vehicles, pose a significant threat to public safety, endangering participants, innocent bystanders, and law enforcement officials.
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HB 5413 seeks to provide more tools to municipalities to combat street takeovers, including:
- Allowing cities and towns to destroy ATVs, dirt bikes, and motorcycles seized and forfeited for violating a municipal ordinance
- Authorizing municipalities to adopt ordinances that penalize street takeovers and impose fines as well as the seizure of vehicles
- Changing and tightening penalties for violating state law on street takeovers, including permanent driver's license revocation for a third violation of the statute
I am glad my bipartisan vote provides additional tools and increased penalties to cities and towns to help deter street takeovers, which create public safety hazards for drivers, pedestrians, and others. The bill now moves to the Senate.
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Despite my opposition, the House passed a measure to adopt the lollipop as the state candy. This is not an indictment against the lollipop!
Orange is home to the world-famous PEZ candy facility and visitor center, which hosts the most comprehensive collection of PEZ memorabilia on display in the world. I'm passionate about their candy and rich history in Connecticut. I encourage all of you to stop by the visitor center and to immerse yourself in all things PEZ!
Please click on the video below to watch my speech on the state candy debate.
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The state is warning all of us about a possible scam targeting utility customers whose bills are overdue. No third-party supplier will ever contact customers with billing issues.
Only Eversource or United Illuminating bill folks for both supply and delivery costs. If you receive correspondence from anyone other than those two companies pertaining to your electric bill balance, you should assume it is not legitimate.
These scams are taking place now ahead of scheduled utility service shutoffs for non-payment on May 2.
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If you think you have been scammed, reach out to:
- PURA’s Education Outreach and Enforcement Customer Assistance Unit by emailing pura.information@ct.gov
- The Office of Consumer Counsel by emailing occ.info@ct.gov or calling 860-827-2900
- The Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5318
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| Funding for Hamden Police Department |
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The Hamden Police Department will receive $963,000 in Community Project Funding for life-saving upgrades. The money will replace outdated equipment with state-of-the-art fixed radio network communications gear. These upgrades will empower our police force to better investigate, respond to, and prevent crime, as well as handle emergencies, and natural disasters effectively.
Thank you to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for securing this funding and to Mayor Lauren Garrett for her continued advocacy for our first responders. Police Chief Edward Page Reynolds and Deputy Chief Onofrio will put the funds to good use!
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| UConn Champs Visit House Chamber |
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The champs were back in the spotlight as we celebrated UConn's second consecutive national title in the House Chamber. We recognized all the players and coaches and gave them a well-deserved ovation. Congratulations on your hard work!
We love the Huskies and hope to do this all over again for a third time next spring!
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I was proud to join an impressive group of female legislators at the Capitol to support LiveGirl, an organization that empowers young women to become confident and inclusive leaders. LiveGirl equips young women with skills, mentors, and experiences to thrive and gain social mobility. We are all united in the belief that investing in women will bring wider societal change.
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| Legislators Play in Charity Kickball Game |
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I joined legislators from both sides of the aisle in a charity kickball game at Dunkin' Park in Hartford. The proceeds benefit the Earl E. Exum Memorial Fund, in memory and honor of Representative Tammy Exum's late husband, and The Pink Fund, which offers financial assistance in the fight against breast cancer.
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Democrats upped our game this year, but Republicans ended up with a 4-3 victory. As you can see from these pictures, we all had a great time on a beautiful day at Dunkin' Park in Hartford. Thank you to everyone who participated, cheered us on, and organized this fantastic event!
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| Interns Debate on House Floor |
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Legislative interns from across Connecticut debated a series of bills in a mock session in the House Chambers. These bright scholars wrote their proposals and then squared off on several issues including book bans, charter schools, school meals, housing, taxes, and so much more.
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As the Co-Chair of the Internship Committee, it is a tremendous honor to watch these students grow, develop new skills, and become leaders. It was a pleasure to guide our interns through the entire legislative process.
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Puppies were at the Capitol on Thursday, and all of us made sure to pet and hold some of these adorable animals! The Connecticut Humane Society brought the puppies to show what creatures are affected by bills like Goldie's Act, which is national legislation protecting animals that are clearly suffering physical and psychological harm.
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The Connecticut Humane Society says some of the puppies at the Capitol will go up for adoption. CLICK HERE for more information on that.
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| Passports to Connecticut Libraries |
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Stop by your local library for an awesome campaign called Passport to Connecticut Libraries, which encourages everyone to read! Begin your journey by picking up a library passport at one of 150 participating libraries. Make sure to get it stamped before visiting other libraries and doing the same thing there. Each participant will receive a small gift at each new library.
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There are several locations where you can grab your passport in the 114th district:
- Derby Public Library on Elizabeth Street in Derby
- Miller Memorial Library on Dixwell Avenue in Hamden
- Brundage Community Branch Library on Circular Avenue in Hamden
- Whitneyville Branch Library on Carleton Street in Hamden
- Woodbridge Town Library on Newton Road in Woodbridge
CLICK HERE for a full list of participating libraries.
The campaign runs from Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 30. The Connecticut Library Association will offer two adults and two children a $200 Visa gift card.
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| Apply To March in Memorial Day Parades! |
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| The Towns of Hamden and Orange are accepting applications to march in their respective Memorial Day Parades.
CLICK HERE if you would like to participate in the Hamden parade. You have until Friday, May 10 to apply.
CLICK HERE to take part in Orange's parade! If you have any questions or need more information, please email the Parade Committee at parade@orange-ct.gov. |
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| Check out the events below, and click the button at the bottom of this section to access the community calendar. |
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| Two married actors will perform a live Performance of "Love Letters" by A.R. Gurney at Derby Public Library on Saturday, April 20 at 12:00 P.M. CLICK HERE to register!
"Love Letters" tells the story of Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, who exchange letters, but not marriage vows, in a warm and complicated friendship lasting 50 years. |
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| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
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| Take a look at the fliers below to learn more about upcoming events. Make sure to click on the button at the bottom of this section. |
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| Do You LOVE Bluey and Bingo? Stop by Miller Memorial Library on Saturday, April 20 at 11 A.M. for an engaging program geared toward preschool aged children to read, craft, play and do everything Bluey! |
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| Check out the flier and community calendar in Orange below. |
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| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
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| Check out the events below, and access the Woodbridge community calendar by clicking on the button at the bottom. |
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| Register for a bird walk on Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 A.M. at Massaro Community Farm Trails. CLICK HERE to sign up! |
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| Dive into the captivating world of "Picture in the Sand" with author Peter Blauner! You can join this free event via Zoom for the next installment in the Beckerman Jewish Cultural Arts Series on Thursday, April 25 at 7 P.M. Explore themes of faith, hope, and cinema in this historical suspense novel. CLICK HERE to register! |
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