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The days (and nights) are long, but the session is short. We're in the home stretch of the session, and we have taken up numerous pieces of legislation, including the budget, transportation, gun violence reduction, no-excuse absentee ballots, and vaccines, among other things.
Keep scrolling for updates to learn more about these pieces of legislation and more. |
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Over the weekend, the House and the Senate finalized the second year of the biennium budget, which I supported.
The budget will deliver $190 million more over FY 2026 in education aid to Connecticut’s cities and towns, another $100 million to cities and towns across the state, $300 million for early childcare, and $30 million more for low-income health care – all while remaining balanced and under the state spending cap.
Ridgefield will receive $2.14 million in combined state aid, across multiple categories, including a variety of grants and aid programs. Each of these categories was determined through formulas, many of which were recently reworked to ensure parity across communities. We received more than some municipalities and less than others, but going forward, the floor from which any increases will be based is a much more level one, with the goal being no towns under or overfunded.
We also reached a historic agreement with our hospitals, providing them with much-needed tax relief, while maximizing federal funding for health care and setting up a system to address rising costs.
The budget also exempts school supplies from sales taxes and expands the maximum value of an item of clothing covered by the state’s sales tax holiday from $100 to $300. |
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The House passed two agency bills related to the DOT and the DMV.
Some of the things in the comprehensive DOT bill that will directly affect us here in Ridgefield are the following:
- Dynamic part-time "flex" lanes, with the first of those projects planned for Danbury in the I-84/Route 7 corridor in Danbury. The lane will allow to drive on the shoulder of the road during peak travel times to address congestion and mobility. It’s all a few years down the road, (ahem) but the aim is to relieve the unforgiving congestion we have all experienced down in our stretch of I-84.
- A Traffic Signal Grant Program, which adjusts the DOT's prioritization for traffic signal modernization to heavily congested areas and removes some of the more cumbersome barriers toward accessing grants. I am hopeful this will help us speed up the modernization we need in the Copps Hill area.
- A freight rail working group, which will study freight rail's impacts and encourage its use in transporting goods throughout the state. Removing as many trucks as possible off our roads remains a priority for me.
- Distracted driving law updates. The legislature updated the state's laws and explicitly prohibited driving while a video is visible to drivers in a normal driving position. Much of this activity is already illegal under existing law, but this makes it clear that watching a video while driving is illegal, regardless of the technology that is being used.
- Creation of a DEEP working group to evaluate and make recommendations on Connecticut school bus fleets' use of alternative fuels and technologies. This is in response to the federal government's elimination of funds to help support districts in converting to the kinds of vehicles that support clean air. Additionally, the bill pushes back the deadlines we established a few years ago for districts to convert their fleets. Our goal to achieve clean air is still in place, but we have to be realistic that, without federal funds, not all districts will meet the current deadlines.
The DMV bill includes the following:
- Dealer conveyance fees consumer protections -- We addressed dealer conveyance fees, which a lot of folks have been led to believe are a state fee -- they are not. Those fees are used by dealers to recoup certain expenses and are uncapped. The bill requires dealers to include the fee in the price they advertise or quote, including all ads and negotiation materials. This was a consumer protection measure that took a number of years to get done, but we are extremely proud of the protections this bill will put in place.
- In-person ID renewal - We also gave the DMV commissioner discretion to waive the requirement to appear in person to renew a non-REAL ID card who is 65 or older, or has disability or condition that substantially impairs their ability to appear in person at the DMV.
At the time this newsletter was sent the DMV bill has passed both chambers and the DOT bill is ready to be called in the Senate.
(Pictured: Me with my terrific Transportation Committee co-Chair Christine Cohen, who grew up in Ridgefield -- she no longer lives here, but no one is perfect. We are standing in front of the House voter board for the DMV bill, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.)
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Last week, I, along with some of my colleagues, rose in the chamber to speak on the reason legislators and staff were wearing denim.
Denim Day began in the '90s, when a rape conviction in Italy was overturned by their Supreme Court because the judge determined that since the survivor of the attack was wearing tight jeans she must have consented.
The next day, the women of the Italian Parliament all wore denim in their own chamber in protest.
We wear denim every year on this date to show our support for survivors, and to emphasize that it is time to stop asking questions like "What was she wearing," and, instead, to start believing women.
One in five American women has been a survivor of attempted or completed rape. Globally it's one in three.
Thanks to the 100+ legislators, staff, and Capitol police officers who wore their denim, and made donations to the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence. Our collective donations from participating in CGA's Denim Day will help in the mission to support survivors and put an end to sexual violence. |
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| Welcome, Ridgefield Students! |
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Always a pleasure seeing some of the best and brightest from Ridgefield High's robotics team – they spent a day at the capitol for Manufacturer’s Day, last week.
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Connecticut House Democrats took action to prevent gun violence by banning convertible pistols — firearms that can be easily modified to function like automatic weapons — and making it easier to safely surrender firearms to local police.
Common-sense steps to keep our communities safer.
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People’s right to vote is under constant attack around the country, but here in Connecticut, we’re making sure elections are free and fair. Some of the key provisions:
- Replacing the confusing second envelope with a more reliable bar code system
- Setting up a system to check the status of your absentee ballot online
- Allowing more people who request a ballot to be automatically sent one for each election
- Expanding where town-supervised voting by absentee ballot takes place (currently it is only in nursing homes and hospice)
- Letting anyone who will be 18 by Election Day vote early or by absentee ballot
The bill has also passed the Senate and is awaiting signature by the governor.
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This is one of those issues that’s gotten a lot of headlines, and let’s be honest, it’s often used to divide us.
But, at its core, HB 5044 is about protecting public health and making sure Connecticut is prepared, informed, and guided by science.
Let me be clear: this is NOT a vaccine mandate. No one is being forced to take a vaccine. This bill simply establishes a standard of care for adults, guidance based on medical expertise that recommends certain vaccines, just like many other routine healthcare standards.
What this bill does:
- Keeps vaccine recommendations in the hands of public health and medical experts, NOT politics
- Establishes a standard of care for adult vaccinations (recommendations, not requirements)
- Ensures insurance coverage so recommended vaccines are affordable and accessible
- Expands access to vaccines, especially for vulnerable and underserved communities
- Allows Connecticut to act independently if federal guidance is delayed or inconsistent
- Strengthens our ability to respond quickly to emerging public health threats
The overwhelming science is clear: vaccines prevent serious illness and save lives.
We lived through a pandemic not too long ago. We can’t forget those lessons. Preventing the next one matters.
That’s why I voted YES on HB 5044.
Protecting public health should never be political.
The bill has also passed the Senate and is waiting the governor's signature.
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| MTA Workers at the Capitol |
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| As co-chair of the Transportation Committee, I have the pleasure of meeting various stakeholders from around the state, including these MTA workers. |
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| The Best Visitor to the Capitol |
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| I was so grateful for a visit from my youngest, last week. These long days at the end of session keep me from coming home during the week. I miss my kid with my whole heart, so having him up here for a few hours was such a gift. |
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Sincerely,
Aimee Berger-Girvalo
State Representative
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