Jillian Gilchrest

This past session, we extended the eligibility for the PACT free community college program to part-time students and are encouraging as many students as possible to apply before the priority consideration deadline of July 15th.

The Connecticut Summer at the Museum program is returning for the 2022 summer season starting Friday, July 1.

No-cost summer meals are available for kids throughout the state from June to late August.

I am pleased to announce Head Start on Housing, a cross-agency collaboration that will work to expedite housing subsidies for Head Start households.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is utilizing numerous options to assist families across the state access baby formula during the nationwide shortage.

Governor Lamont signed the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act into law, which expands access to abortion and legally protects medical providers and patients traveling to Connecticut seeking abortion care. I am so proud of this legislative and thankful to to my fellow members of the Reproductive Rights Caucus and the advocates at Planned Parenthood, ACLU of Connecticut and Pro-Choice Connecticut.

The 2022 Legislative Session has come to a close. In this historically short session, we've passed critical pieces of legislation in regards to reproductive rights and children's mental health and backed a $24 billion state budget that offers $600 million in tax cuts for our residents. I am extremely proud of the work that we accomplished to enhance our community and our state. 

As states like Oklahoma continue to enact extreme anti-abortion laws and we anticipate the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June, Connecticut stands at the forefront of protecting reproductive rights.