Highlights and Updates for the 102nd

March 14, 2024

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Dear Neighbor,

I'm excited to share with you the latest developments at the Capitol and in our district. Inside this email you'll find information including the following:

2023 Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade
AFT Connecticut Greater New Haven Regional Legislative Meeting
FARE's Courage to Change Conference
Women's History Month
Public Hearings
Submitting Testimony
Early Voting: What You Need to Know

WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO

2023 Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade

Sunday brought not only dryer weather but also the highly anticipated 2024 Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade!

This year, the parade was made even more special with Bernadette Canning, a resident of Branford, serving as the Grand Marshal. It was truly an unforgettable celebration!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

AFT Connecticut Greater New Haven Regional Legislative Meeting

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of educators at the AFT Connecticut Greater New Haven Regional Legislative Meeting, held at Eli’s on the Hill. The assembly included science teachers, school psychologists, special education professionals, and representatives from state colleges.

Together, we delved into pressing issues such as teacher retirement benefits, infrastructure requirements, and the importance of increasing diversity among educators. The discussions were insightful and underscored the collective commitment to enhancing the educational landscape for both teachers and students in our community.

FARE's Courage to Change Conference

Last week, I attended the Food Allergy Research & Education's Courage to Change conference in Washington, DC. Our Connecticut team knocked it out of the park! Standing alongside these committed and brilliant advocates was a real thrill.

I look forward to collaborating on legislation to cap the cost of epinephrine, label medications for top nine allergens, funding CoFAR research and CDC’s Healthy School Act, and recognizing Alpha-GAL syndrome as a nationally notifiable condition.

What we can’t get done in CT, we can get done in DC!

Women's History Month

We're women legislators, of course we had fun making the video below! It's always a joy to come together, share our stories, and celebrate the progress we've made while also having a good laugh. We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed creating it!

WATCH: We're Women Legislators, Of Course We...

Jokes aside, let's take this time to honor the trailblazers who have forged paths for us and commit ourselves to uplifting the voices of all women in all walks of life. Here's to strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.

Public Hearings

We are currently holding public hearings at the state capitol, where we listen to the concerns and experiences of our fellow Connecticut residents. Despite the long days, personal testimonies truly demonstrate the impactful work being done across our state.

Having joined the Human Services Committee last year, I'm moved by the dedication and impact of service providers in our community. These compassionate professionals help our residents access resources and overcome obstacles. I’m in constant awe of their commitment despite our state’s consistent underfunding. If you are one of these providers, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Submitting Testimony

I wanted to remind you that there is still time to submit your testimony on the issues that are most important to you. Your voice and perspective are vital in shaping the discussions and decisions that affect our community.

Please don't hesitate to email me to notify me once you've submitted your testimony. I'm eager to read your insights and stay informed on the matters you're passionate about. For a guide on testifying/submitting testimony, please click here.

Early Voting: What You Need to Know

Early voting options are now available thanks to the work of the Connecticut General Assembly last session, and later this month, voters in the state will take to the polls to vote in the 2024 presidential primary.

This legislation was made possible by a state Constitutional amendment approved by a wide majority of Connecticut voters in 2022. It will provide you - and voters across the state - with more flexibility and access to cast your vote with the confidence that your voice is heard and your civic duty is fulfilled while avoiding large crowds and scheduling conflicts.

Anticipating that you may have questions about this new process, I hope the guide below will be helpful in providing information to answer them.

Here's what you need to know:

When is early voting?

For the April 2 presidential preference primary election, early voting will take place from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM on March 26, 27, 28, and 30. Due to Good Friday and Easter, there will be no early voting Friday, March 29 or Sunday, March 31.

Early voting for the August 13 primary elections will take place between August 5 and August 11.

Early voting for the November 5 general election will take place between October 21 to November 3.

Is my early voting location the same as my regular voting location?

Not necessarily. Each town will have at least one early voting location, and municipalities with a population of 20,000 or more will have the opportunity to add additional locations. You can find your early voting location on your municipality's website, at

MyVote.ct.gov, or by calling (860) 509-6200.

Are there deadlines to be aware of?

Monday, March 25 at noon is the deadline to register with a political party to vote in the early voting period for the presidential preference primary.

Monday, April 1 at noon is the deadline for registering in person with your registrar of voters or town clerk to vote on April 2, and for unaffiliated voters to enroll in a party for in-person voting.

If you are not yet registered to vote, file your registration application with your town's registrar of voters by noon on the business day before the day you want to vote, or

click here to register.

Voting is one of our country's most privileged and fundamental rights, and your participation is crucial in shaping the future. Let’s amplify the impact of our collective voice – start voting early!

Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office with any further questions on this new and exciting initiative!

I hope you find this information valuable and informative. As always, if I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to email me directly or call my office at (860) 240-8585.

Sincerely,