Aimee Berger-Girvalo

Attorney General Tong said this week he will obey a court order prohibiting the United States Department of Agriculture from forcing states to turn over data on SNAP recipients.

Attorney General Tong is absolutely right to fight the latest attempt by the Trump administration to bully states into handing over years of deeply personal data, and I strongly support his efforts.

This demand would force Connecticut to turn over Social Security numbers, home addresses, and even five years of grocery purchase history for hundreds of thousands of low‑income families, despite long‑standing state and federal privacy protections that limit how this information can be used. 

No state should have to choose between safeguarding residents’ privacy and keeping food on the table, yet the administration is threatening to slash critical SNAP funding if we refuse to comply. 

At a time when food prices remain high and so many families in our communities are already stretched to the breaking point, using access to food assistance as leverage for mass data collection is both dangerous and cruel. 

Standing with the Attorney General in this case means standing up for basic privacy, for the rule of law, and for the dignity of every Connecticut family that relies on SNAP to get through the month. 

Getting older does not automatically mean it is time to stop driving, but it does require regular evaluation of driving abilities.

During Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Dec. 1–5, Connecticut is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to encourage families and caregivers to begin open, proactive conversations about safe driving as loved ones age.

Nationally, the population of residents 65 and older has risen significantly, and in 2023 drivers in this age group were involved in nearly one-fifth of all fatal crashes. In Connecticut, 51 older adults were involved in fatal crashes that same year, representing 17% of statewide roadway fatalities.

State law allows drivers 60 and older to take an approved crash-prevention course and receive an insurance discount, providing an important opportunity to refresh skills and stay safe on the road. For more information and a list of providers, visit portal.ct.gov/dmv/resources/insurance-discounts.

Families are encouraged to work with older adults to develop a transportation plan, which may include the following:

• keeping up with vision and hearing checkups,
• reviewing medications for side effects that may affect driving,
• choosing daytime or less complex routes, considering adaptive vehicle equipment,
• and identifying alternative transportation options if driving becomes difficult.

Free resources are available through NHTSA to help older adults stay safe and to assist families and caregivers in supporting safe mobility for everyone.

While the $500 million emergency fund plans to cover the lack of funding for the national Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), there are other state resources available now.

The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program and Eversource offer resources for those in need to help to cover the cost of their home energy bills this winter. Visit ct.gov/dss or the Eversource website for more information.

Click here to find food programs and services available through 211 Connecticut. You can also call 2-1-1 or 1-800-203-1234.

The Connecticut Foodshare food pantry takes place every two weeks. The next one is tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 5, at Andrew’s Lutheran Church, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Click here to find a Connecticut Foodshare food pantry or mobile food pantry.

Please consider making a monetary donation or even donating your time to Connecticut Foodshare if you are able. Click here to volunteer and/or to donate.

Also, please consider donating to Ridgefield Social Services to help support our neighbors. That money will go directly to Ridgefield residents most in need.

You can make an online donation at the link below:
https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/a0706d47-8502-4274-9b41-e2d8c3503ae1

Ridgefield also has Ruby's Pantries available to anyone at five locations across town:
https://www.clarkconstruction.net/blog-page/building-rubys-pantries