Toni E. Walker

We are more than halfway through the regular session, and this is the time of year when legislative activity picks up in the Connecticut General Assembly.

After weeks of holding public hearings, the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee and Appropriations Committee approved their budget proposals (Appropriations handles the spending side and Finance handles the revenue side).

The next step…negotiations and compromise: Legislators will work with the Governor and his staff to craft the final budget agreement. The budget bill then goes before the House and Senate for consideration. After being passed by both chambers, the legislature’s final budget must then be signed into law by the governor before the end of the fiscal year, June 30.

Personal care attendants (PCAs) will have additional access to affordable health insurance after an agreement was reached to expand the application deadline for PCAs to apply for the first round of the new premium assistance benefit.

I'm writing to inform you there will be changes for some of our most vulnerable individuals and families who are on Medicaid and SNAP benefits.

Today we woke to tragic news. Connecticut lost State Representative Quentin Williams (or "Q" as we called him) last night. He was a champion for Middletown and Connecticut and had just yesterday been sworn in and appointed House Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. We are overcome with disbelief and heartbreak and are sending love and prayers to his family.

With many families in Connecticut facing added financial strain due to rising prices, the legislature went into special session earlier this week to provide some relief.

A bipartisan bill passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Lamont extends the current suspension of the gasoline tax, provides additional funding for energy assistance programs, and continues premium pay for frontline workers.

The Connecticut Summer at the Museum program is returning for 2022.

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

The formula shortage started last fall due to supply chain issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. It was exacerbated in February when Abbott recalled powdered formula manufactured in its Michigan plant and temporarily shuttered it.

Today, the House of Representatives passed an emergency bill, which will ease some of the financial crush on New Haven residents and working families whose wallets and budgets have taken a hit due to rising gas prices and record-breaking inflation levels.