Michelle L. Cook

The O­ffice of Early Childhood’s (OEC) Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Care is developing a 5-year plan for an accessible, high-quality state childcare system. This plan will support families, providers, and Connecticut’s economy to make sure every child has the best educational foundation to grow, learn, and succeed.

The application period for the 2023-2024 winter season of the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is open. CEAP provides vulnerable state homeowners and renters with crucial support for the associated costs with heating their homes.

Earlier this summer, I had the honor of attending the bill signing for Public Act 23-44, AN ACT CONCERNING THE MINIMUM AGE TO BE ELIGIBLE TO MARRY. This law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from receiving a marriage license. I was proud to support this legislation in the House and am thrilled that it has been signed into law.

In July, I visited Washington D.C. for the White House States Convening on Child Care. I joined nearly 100 state legislators from 41 states, including a few from Connecticut, to discuss childcare policy achievements from our respective legislative sessions. We explored different legislative strategies to make childcare more affordable for working families, increase childcare provider supply, and improve job quality for childcare workers. It was an absolute joy to be surrounded by likeminded lawmakers from around the country and I was honored to be invited.

During the 2023 Legislative Session, I worked with my colleagues to pass a new two-year state budget that stands up for consumers, including a freeze of scheduled increases on the diesel tax, which helps lower the price of groceries and other commodities while reducing the cost of doing business in Connecticut.

Great news for first-time homeowners! An additional $20 million has been added to the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority's (CHFA) Time To Own Program. Funding for the program - which offers down payment assistance to low- and moderate-income homebuyers in Connecticut - now stands at $80 million, with over $21.5 million currently available for loan reservations.

Happy Juneteenth!

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in our country. This important holiday was unknown to many for several years, but thanks to the tireless work of advocates, it is now rightfully recognized throughout the country.

The 2023 legislative session gaveled out at midnight on Wednesday. I am proud of all of the legislation that my colleagues and I were able to craft, debate and pass during our time in Hartford. Below are a few bills that passed over the past few days: