Toni E. Walker

This week I welcomed to the Legislative Office Building students from the East Rock Record, a team of middle school students who work with high school and college student mentors to write and host press conferences on pressing issues in their communities.

Governor Ned Lamont presented his biennial budget proposal yesterday and as legislators our job now is to analyze it, meet with state, local officials – and especially the people of New Haven – to discuss the governor’s ideas and ultimately decide what changes have to be made so the final budget draft truly meets the state’s needs.

For more than a month, at least 1,500 federal employees in New Haven and other municipalities around the state have been furloughed or forced to work without pay because of a politically motivated shutdown of government in the nation's capital. To help them the legislature has passed legislation, making available unemployment assistance, interest-free loans of up to $5,000 and other resources for them.

There is still time to get quality and affordable health insurance coverage! With several new plan structures available this year, Access Health CT has decided to extend their enrollment period until Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Rep. Toni Walker, the co-chairwoman of Gov.-elect Ned Lamont’s transition team, sent a not-so-subtle message to Yale University inquiring about its progress in hiring 1,000 New Haven workers by April. Read this New Haven Register news story for more details.

This Saturday, Dec. 15, is the last day to enroll for health insurance through Access Health CT, so if you or anyone else you know is interested, then don’t delay.

Rep. Toni Walker joined her colleagues representing New Haven to announce that the State Bond Commission today approved $2,263,000 in state funding for several local initiatives and projects.

The Small Business Association is making available some limited assistance for New Haven County residents who were adversely impacted by the May 15th 2018 hurricane.