Updates from State Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo for Nov. 14, 2025

November 14, 2025

The House convened a special session on Wednesday, addressing a number of important issues including housing. The bill, HB 8002, passed, and I voted in support of it.

I was a "no" on the original bill -- HB 5002, which also passed but was vetoed by Gov. Lamont -- largely as a response to my own first selectperson, Rudy Marconi's concerns.

But even he went from a "no" to a "yes," in just a few short months.

And the way that came about was his direct involvement in the majority leader's roundtable on housing. It was in that group where he referenced the struggle to counter the disinformation campaign and how that so negatively influenced communities into decisions that led to and continue to lead to a lack of housing options.

The acknowledgment that communities without middle- and workforce-housing opportunities were going to fall behind municipalities with a variety of housing options is just too important to ignore.

After offering alternatives to the prior bill and encouraging a regional option with room to lean on cogs for support, First Selectperson Marconi ended up standing with the Governor, and even speaking in support of this bill at his recent press conference.

I hope everyone will cut through the weeds of disinformation that have already cropped up concerning this bill, and will take the time to see what's really in it. I believe what you will see is nothing but a net positive not only for the state, but for Ridgefield in particular.

A Good Start

When I rose to support this bill on the floor of the House, I also commented on the section of the bill that pilots a program offering buses with showers and laundry to communities with a large number of homeless residents.

In my experience working in a social services department in a Connecticut city, one of the easiest barriers to employment for us to remove is lack of access to clean clothes and the dignity of basic hygiene. I am so excited to see this come to fruition. I am also hopeful that, in the absence of a solution to abate our growing population of unhoused individuals and families, we can grow this program as an interim triage for a critical, long-term problem.

It was good to be back in “The People’s House” on Wednesday, to get back to some important unfinished work, as well as to address some of the crises created by the federal government’s cuts to critical programs and funding. I am always happy to see my colleagues and the incredible staffers who support us. But the work we do and the solutions we provide for our constituents — both in our districts and across the state — motivate all of us.

Special Fund Created

We also voted to create a $500 million temporary fund to blunt the corrosive impacts the federal government's cruel cuts to our social safety net.

This situation is affecting residents in all of our communities.

We obviously cannot choose to accrue funds and bank cash over feeding families, seniors, children, veterans, and single parents; over providing health care; over caring for infants and new parents; or over heating homes.

The emergency is here.

The money we are allocating to inject into these programs -- SNAP, WIC, health care, heating assistance and the like -- will have a meaningful and immediate impact on so many residents.

I’m confident the Governor’s office agrees that no one in our state should go hungry, be left in the cold, or have their health put at risk. As legislators, we serve as the eyes and ears of our communities and can be strong partners in addressing these challenges. While I’ve shared concerns about the legislature’s limited role in distributing these critical funds, I also recognize that the process we supported will ensure the fastest delivery of help to those who need it most.

Even as agencies reopen and the shutdown appears to have ended, these funds remain essential to ensure that our constituents can feed their families, heat their homes, and protect their health if critical supports are delayed or denied. It is for this reason that I am proud to have voted for this emergency funding.

Hospital Acquisitions

Also during our special session, we voted to approve $390 million in bonding over a five-year period to support capital investments at Waterbury Hospital, as well as Bristol Hospital and Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, which the state is also in talks to acquire.

With the approval of House Bill 8001: An Act Concerning the University of Connecticut Health Center Joint Venture Initiative, we voted to preserve access to health care at Waterbury Hospital, voting in favor of a $13 million agreement enabling UConn Health to acquire the facility.

This acquisition is structured as a public-private partnership. Under this model, Waterbury Hospital will join the UConn Health network while remaining privately operated. This approach ensures the hospital remains open, protects existing jobs, and strengthens the future of regional health care for those in the community that rely on it.

Through this partnership with UConn Health, we are securing long-term stability for Waterbury Hospital and expanding access to high-quality care for families who deserve it close to home.

Children's Behavioral Health

We also passed legislation through a comprehensive bill that continues to build on House Democrats’ commitment to children’s behavioral health care.

Highlights include:

Statewide study to assess the demand for children’s behavioral health services and improve data collection
New grant program to support care coordination and resource navigation for kids and families
Insurance companies must now cover autism treatments, including applied behavior analysis and cognitive behavioral therapy, up to age 26
Adding substance abuse treatment providers for children to Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (TCB)

Together, these measures represent a stronger, more coordinated system of care for Connecticut’s children.

Local Resources/Ways to Help

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

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.

CT Foodshare mobile pantry schedule:
https://mobilefoodpantry.ctfoodshare.org/

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

Heating Assistance

November marks the fifth annual Heating Assistance Awareness Month, and Hartford is partnering with Eversource to raise awareness of available programs to help pay or lower heating bills and keep homes warm this winter.

If you or someone you know is struggling to keep up with their energy bills, now is the time to get assistance this winter heating season. There is a plan for everyone, including:

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP):

Apply to get up to $645 towards your heating bill from CEAP. Apply for CEAP online at CT.gov/heatinghelp or through your local Community Action Agency (CAA). Find your local CAA at 211.ct.org or call 211.

Energy Efficiency:

Take advantage of Eversource’s energy efficiency programs, incentives, and tips to help you save money and reduce your overall energy use during the colder months. Renters need permission from their landlords to participate.

Winter Protection:

If you provide proof of qualifying household income or public assistance benefits you receive for at least one household member, your service cannot be shut off between November 1 and May 1.

Visit eversource.com/billhelp to learn more about these programs. You can also find your local CAA for assistance at 211ct.org or call 211.