Updates from State Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo for Nov. 20, 2025

November 20, 2025



 

 

This week I had the privilege of sitting in on a hearing held by the IDD caucus, of which I am a member. It was an extra important event to me, because my two professional worlds collided in this one space. I work as a municipal ADA Coordinator in addition to my State Rep role, and was also invited to attend this hearing as an advocate for the rights of folks with disabilities.
 
Supported decision-making (SDM) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is a process where the person with IDD retains all their legal and civil rights and makes their own decisions with the support of trusted people in their lives, such as family members, friends, or professionals. It serves as a less-restrictive alternative to guardianship, aiming to promote self-determination, control, autonomy, inclusion, and dignity. Instead of having a guardian make decisions for them, the individual selects a support network to help gather information, weigh options, and communicate or implement decisions as they choose, ensuring the person remains the primary decision maker. 
 
The process typically involves a written agreement specifying the areas where support is provided and the way the person wants to receive that support. This approach empowers people with IDD, giving them a voice and control over their lives, while also offering families assurance of support in decision-making without removing the individual's rights.
 
It is recognized legally in some places (such as New York) and is increasingly accepted as a preferable alternative to guardianship nationwide and internationally. Supported decision-making supports independence, helps avoid the loss of rights that guardianship entails, and fosters greater dignity and inclusion for people with IDD, and many of my colleagues and I would very much like to see this become an option here in Connecticut as well.
 

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Today, on Transgender Day of Remembrance, we stand with and for transgender people who have lost their lives to senseless violence and hatred. Their deaths are a direct result of a society that is failing to protect them—and a result of political actors who weaponize transgender identities to spread fear and division.
 
Using transgender people as a political battering ram is cowardly and unacceptable and is a direct cause for these deaths. Too many people who are elected to protect and represent us all use the fears of folks who don't understand this issue, and they dehumanize real people and put lives at risk. We have to stop allowing fearmongering and bigotry to silence the truth—
 
And that truth is that transgender rights are human rights. That everyone deserves safety, dignity, and respect, and to live their truth without fear of violence and discrimination. 
 
We have to keep fighting until every transgender person can live free and proud.
 

Increasing Electricity Costs

If you haven't already heard, starting January 1, 2026, Eversource will increase its electric supply rate in Connecticut by approximately 13%, from 11.19 to 12.64 cents per kilowatt-hour. In the strictest sense, this increase is driven by volatile wholesale electricity market conditions, including constrained natural gas supplies and higher winter heating demand that elevate energy costs. While these costs are passed directly to ratepayers through a regulatory process that Eversource does not profit from, it is important to acknowledge that Eversource as a company has been reporting record profits. This is due to the structure of the overall utility business, where revenues from fixed charges, delivery fees, and regulated services provide strong financial performance independent of the fluctuating energy supply costs. The result is that customers face rising supply costs amid market volatility, even as Eversource’s broader operations remain highly profitable. Savings from reduced public benefit charges, which we passed during the 2025 legislative session, simply aren’t enough to offset the higher supply costs.
 
No. I am not OK with this, and will continue to fight this increase, as I have all utility ratepayer increases during my time in the legislature. 
 
Customers are encouraged to explore competitive suppliers and assistance programs to mitigate impacts on their bills, but I fully understand that does not help anyone nearly as much as it should. 

Review your usage and look for ways to cut back this winter, consider switching to a third-party supplier on EnergizeCT.com, and explore state assistance programs such as the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, Matching Payment Program, and Low-Income Discount Rate.
 

Home Energy Assistance

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.
 

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.

The Connecticut Foodshare food pantry takes place every two weeks. The next one is tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 21, 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
 

Scams on the Rise

The Connecticut Intelligence Center, a law enforcement partnership within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, is warning about a dramatic increase in financial scams targeting the elderly in Connecticut and the nation.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 859,532 complaints in 2024, with losses reported at $16.6 billion, a 388% increase from 2023. In 2024 “false pretense” scams cost an estimated $31.9 million to Connecticut victims, most of whom were 65 or older, according to the 2024 Crime in Connecticut Report.

What to Watch Out For

  • High-pressure, urgent timeline (“you must send money now”).
  • Request to pay with gift cards, wire transfer, prepaid cards, personal checks or cryptocurrency.
  • Caller says you must not contact family or police.
  • Caller ID spoofing (it may show a local number or government agency but is fake).
  • Unwilling to meet in person or hesitation to identify themselves with official credentials.

What to Do if You Believe You Are a Victim

  • Contact the local police to report the incident.
  • Do not transfer money and do not give any payment information.
  • Do not give any personal information or confirm/repeat social security numbers, birthdates, bank information or account numbers.
  • Verify by calling the family member with a known number not one provided by the caller.
  • If you have already made a payment contact your bank or the payment service immediately

Where to Go for Help
 

Holiday Stroll

Ridgefield’s Holiday Stroll will take place Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6, in downtown Ridgefield.

The event will include Toy Soldiers marching down Main Street, carolers, horse and carriage rides, special performances, a North Pole setting at the Lounsbury House and shopping. 

The event is free.
 

Festival of Lights

The Festival of Lights will take place on Friday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m. in front of Town Hall, 400 Main St.
 

As always, if you have any comments, questions or concerns, please reach out to my office.

Sincerely,

Aimee Berger-Girvalo
State Representative

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