Aimee Berger-Girvalo

It's always great to meet with constituents at the Capitol while we're in session, but it's especially wonderful when the constituents are students, who want to share their passions and priorities.

I had the privilege of meeting Charlotte P. and some of her Wooster School classmates on Wednesday. Charlotte is focused on climate change - particularly the negative impacts of "fast fashion."

Charlotte provided me with some important data, and it sparked a great conversation about our mutual habits of shopping for our clothes at thrift and consignment stores, and avoiding cheaply made, trendy goods.

***From Charlotte's report***
Out of the 100-billion tons of clothing items produced every year, 92 million tons end up in a landfill. It is both an ethical issue and an environmental issue.

Charlotte's suggestions on how you can help:

• Buy less
• Buy well-made items from companies that support climate initiatives and ethical work standards
• Donate and thrift
• Mend your clothes

Thank you, Charlotte! I'm looking forward to some local thrifting adventures with you this summer!
 

The Annual Town Meeting is on Monday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ridgefield Playhouse. Residents at this meeting will have the opportunity to vote on budget items under $100,000.

The Budget Referendum, which includes all other budget items, will be held on Tuesday, May 13, from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Yanity Gym.

CT Coalition for Climate Action is hosting its second annual Climate Change Student Poster Contest. 

This is an opportunity for students to engage creatively with important environmental issues and raise awareness about the impact of climate change on our planet.

In 2022, Connecticut became one of the first states to include Climate Change Studies (Grades 5–12) as part of its science curriculum in public schools. In celebration, students are invited to create a poster that highlights the importance of protecting the environment and the role everyone plays in reducing climate change.

Posters should be original, colorful, and thought-provoking, and we encourage students to use their imagination to express their ideas.

The deadline for submissions, which can be emailed to CTClimateActionCoalition@gmail.com, is May 1.

Students and finalists are invited to the judging at the Capitol on May 28 between noon and 2:30 p.m. Semi-finalists will be displayed at the state Capitol and the first-, second- and third-place posters will receive a scholarship this year.

Contact Lisa Winkler at 860-614-6102, lisa@grassrootsct.com or Tricia Dinneen Priebe at 203-464-3793, tricia@grassrootsct.com for additional information. You may also visit the Coalition website at www.climateactionct.org

The Transportation Security Administration issued an important message recently that will affect anyone who travels on domestic commercial flights.

Beginning May 7, anyone who wishes to travel on a domestic commercial flight must have a REAL ID or other acceptable form of documentation.
 
What is a REAL ID?
 
A REAL ID is a state-issued ID that meets minimum security standards to access federal facilities and board domestic flights. The program was implemented following a 9/11 commission recommendation on making air travel and federal facilities more secure.

When will I need a REAL ID? 

• Starting May 7, you will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights or access certain federal facilities (such as nuclear power plants, military bases and other federal buildings).

How do I get a REAL ID? 

• You can visit your local DMV to learn more and apply for a REAL ID, or at the CT information portal here.
• In Connecticut, you'll need:
  • a U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate;
  • a Social Security card; and
  • two pieces of mail from two different sources dated within 90 days to prove that you live in Connecticut.
  • For all new applications for a driver's license, as well as out-of-state transfers to Connecticut licenses, you will automatically be issued a REAL ID.

How do I know if I already have a REAL ID? 

• Check your driver's license or ID to see if it has a gold star in the upper right corner, like the accompanying graphic. If you do, then you have a verified REAL ID.

What other forms of ID are acceptable?

• A U.S. passport.
• State-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses and identification cards are also acceptable, though Connecticut does not issue them.

For more information, visit the following:
Department of Homeland Security website
CT Department of Motor Vehicles website
CT Information Portal website