Michelle L. Cook

It’s back to school season. So I wanted to take a moment to bring you up to speed on some of the important new laws we passed this session to make sure our kids get the best education possible.

Deputy Speaker of the House Michelle Cook was present for all 392 votes taken in the House of Representatives during the regular 2019 Legislative Session, and the July Special Session.

The House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation changing the name of the state Department of Rehabilitative Services to the Department of Aging and Disability Services, and increasing funding for elderly nutrition programs to ensure equitable rates for meals on wheels programs Monday afternoon.

The House of Representatives voted favorably Tuesday evening to approve legislation requiring motorcycle riders under 21 years of age to wear a helmet, taking one more step to promote motorcycle safety among young operators.

Wednesday night, lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted favorably on legislation to expand the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program to reimburse eligible firefighters for insurance deductibles and laboratory and diagnostic testing fees.

Rep. Cook was honored as the recipient of the 2019 American Association of Nurse Practitioners State Award for Nurse Practitioner Advocate Excellence during the Connecticut Advanced Practical Registered Nurse Society’s conference reception Thursday night.

Our electoral rights are the foundation of our democracy, but as personal schedules become more and more rigid, voters are less able to make it to the polls. Or when they do, they get discouraged by the long lines on Election Day.

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week and I wanted to remind everyone to "Obey the Orange." Department of Transportation studies found that the top reason why cars crashed in work zones is because vehicles follow too closely.