The Legislative Session Has Begun!

February 13, 2024

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Dear Neighbor,

I wanted to provide you with an update on the first day of the legislative session and give you a preview of what you can expect in the rest of this email:

Coffee with Comey Recap
The 2024 Legislative Session Has Begun
Committee Meetings
Re-Connecting with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
Housing Resources
Heart Health Month: AED's in the Parks

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Coffee with Comey Recap

I'd like to start out by recognizing all the people who came out for my pre-session Coffee Hour. I thought it was pretty fantastic that we filled every seat in the place, and then some. I heard a diverse range of issues, including Eversource's tree-cutting practices and concerns related to zoning, disabilities, and transportation.

I was especially happy to have a supportive showing from many RTM members, including the majority leader and many reps from the districts in the 102nd. There were some local issues raised, making it important for local officials to be present in order to address their concerns effectively.

The 2024 Legislative Session Has Begun

On Wednesday, the 2024 legislative session officially commenced. Lawmakers convened at the Capitol Building, eagerly prepared to confront the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

Following the conclusion of our House Session, legislators from both the House and Senate gathered in a Joint Session to address necessary procedural tasks. Afterward, we listened as Governor Lamont delivered his address to both chambers with his budget proposal.

It's important to remember that the proposed budget by the Governor is just a starting point. Now, the Appropriations Committee and the Finance, Revenue, & Bonding Committee will begin working on their own proposals. We passed a strong budget last year and I am committed to preserving tax cuts and supporting vital state resources while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Committee Meetings

Two of my committees; Education and Children, met last week. We introduced concepts to undertake; some were general in nature, and others were more specific. There was a lot introduced in both committees, so I won’t go into them here. However, you can visit the Connecticut General Assembly website, refer to the schedule of events, and click on your committee of interest, which will allow you to access the agendas.

As we get into our public hearings in the next few weeks, you can stay informed and submit testimony, in the same manner. To participate in the hybrid public hearing process click here for more information.

Re-Connecting with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community

On Thursday morning, it was good to re-connect with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. As a former co-chair of the Work Group Concerning Issues Affecting Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Persons, it was time to get an update on this year’s exciting priorities. Last year, I introduced H.B. 5764: AN ACT CONCERNING COMMUNICATION ACCESS FOR DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, AND DEAFBLIND PERSONS IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS, in response to a constituent who had repeated difficulties communicating in hospitals, doctors, and pharmacies.

This year the Deaf community, working with Rep. Poulos of Southington, is proposing to fix a fractured system that is currently in place and to fund a centralized agency to provide information and resources to the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing community. Read more about the proposal here.

UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES

Housing Resources

I wanted to provide you with some valuable housing resources that may be of assistance to you or someone you know. Below is a list of documents that may be able to help:

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of resources but rather a starting point for finding housing support in our community. I encourage you to explore these options and reach out to the respective organizations for more information.

Heart Health Month: AED's in the Parks

The Branford Board of Education, in conjunction with the Branford Parks and Recreation Department, recently announced that they would unveil Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at its parks and outdoor recreation areas.

To celebrate this, please consider attending AED's in the Parks on Wednesday, February 14th at 9:30 AM. The program will take place at the Joe Trapasso Community House/Hammer Field. In the case of inclement weather, the program will be held inside.

Attendees are encouraged to wear red to the event in order to raise awareness of Heart Disease in Women. For more information, please call (203) 488-8304.

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,