Dear Friends,
I am pleased to share with you this update on the recently concluded legislative session. Each year, our goal is to forge a path for a stronger Connecticut, and the 2017 session was no different. We worked to pass bipartisan legislation that improves the lives of working families, encourages economic growth, and makes critical investments in the future of our children, as well as our state.
I am committed to fighting for you and building a solid Connecticut for future generations. The policies we passed support our small businesses, spur workforce development and ensure that we are making Connecticut more affordable for our young people and our seniors. As we work during the Special Session to craft a biennium budget, I will continue to work to keep Connecticut a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
I hope you find the enclosed information helpful. Our future is stronger when we work together, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if I can ever be of help to you or your family. It is my pleasure and honor to serve as your state representative.
Best wishes,
Tackling CT’s Opioid Epidemic
Addressing the opioid epidemic was a top priority this session. More people will fall victim to drug overdoses than from car accidents and gun violence combined. We passed new legislation that will improve your ability to dispose of unused prescriptions while looking at new ways to promote the availability of, and access to, overdose-reversal drugs like Narcan. This law also seeks to set up a real-time online clearinghouse to identify available detox/recovery beds and other treatment programs and will increase insurance coverage for detox programs. In addition, the law improves data sharing between state agencies regarding opioid abuse. This fight is ongoing and I’m proud to be working to mitigate the effects of this epidemic. (PA 17-131)
Empowering Tech Schools
This session we passed legislation to establish the technical high school system as an independent agency. By separating the technical schools from the State Board of Education, we expect them to be more responsive to the needs of the business community in training our future workforce. The newly named Technical Education and Career School System will have stronger oversight, more effective governance and more checks to prevent wasteful spending. (PA 17-237)
Responding to Hate Crimes
Responding to recent incidents of intimidation and bigotry, this law allows certain hate-crime offenders to be placed in community programs aimed at addressing their intolerance, and creates a state-wide Hate Crimes Advisory Council. It also imposes minimum fines for certain hate crimes, including cross burning and desecration of property and toughens the penalties for targeting and desecrating a house of worship. This sends a message that we will not accept crimes motivated by hate. It is important that we practice the values we believe and this legislation will bring us one step closer to accomplishing that goal. (PA 17-111)