Dear neighbors,
The 2018 legislative session kept the state moving forward while not forgetting our friends and neighbors who rely on us.
The passage of a bipartisan budget highlighted our successes, which also included support for small business, improved workforce development, support for the environment and restored funding to Stratford education. I will continue fighting for you to build a bright future for Connecticut and Stratford.
I hope you find this information helpful. Please reach out to my office if I can be of service to you or your family. It is an honor to serve our community.
Sincerely,
Bipartisan Budget
The bipartisan budget maintains the “Rainy Day” fund reserves at the highest level in over a decade. In addition, the agreement does not increase income, sales or other state taxes. Other highlights include:
- Restores $3 million in Education Cost Sharing Dollars to Stratford
- Funds the Medicare Savings Program that helps low income elderly individuals and the disabled pay for the cost of medicine and health care premiums
- Restores $12 million to the Husky A healthcare program, which if cut, would have caused 215 Stratford residents to lose insurance
- Prevents funding cuts to the Greater Bridgeport Transit system
- Restores partial funding to the Energy Efficiency Fund and developmental services
Stratford Horseshoe Crab Harvest Ban
I’m proud to have led the charge to prohibit the taking of horseshoe crabs between Short Beach and Stratford Point. Preventing the harvest of adult horseshoe crabs allows the crabs to spawn in a protected area. Horseshoe crab blood is crucial to the purity of vaccines we receive - if you’ve ever gotten a vaccine, you can thank a horseshoe crab.
Minority Teacher Recruitment
This year we put into law many of the policies that the Minority Teacher Recruitment Task Force and State Department of Education (SDE) have worked hard to implement over that past few years. These policies are aimed at developing a thriving and diverse teacher workforce in our state. The State Department of Education will work to develop new alternative routes to certification for paraprofessionals, charter school teachers and veterans.
Bridgeport Regional Business Council’s Legislator Of The Year
This year I was awarded Bridgeport Regional Business Council’s Legislator of the Year Award. I will continue to support policies that improve the business climate in our state and develop programs to prepare our younger generation for future employment.
Reducing Prescription Drug Costs
Recognizing that prescription drug prices are the number one driver of rising healthcare costs, we passed legislation to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable by increasing transparency. This landmark legislation creates a mechanism by which drug rebate savings are reflected in your premiums.
Ella Grasso Property Transferred To Stratford
I worked with our delegation to get part of the $3 million Ella Grasso property conveyed to our town for use as affordable senior and veteran housing. The property also contains a special access swimming pool for disabled residents that many in our senior community have come to rely.
Pay Equity
Women still earn less than men. This inequity is perpetuated by the practice of asking for salary history during the hiring process, ensuring that women who were underpaid at their first job continue to be underpaid. This session we strengthened our pay equity laws by preventing employers from asking about wage history.
Environmental Conservation
This session I worked to pass a resolution through the House of Representatives that proposes a constitutional amendment to protect public land and open space. The question will now be on the ballot this fall for you to decide whether or not to amend the state constitution.