Michelle L. Cook

To put money back into Connecticut residents' pockets, we recently passed legislation to suspend our state's gas tax and offer free bus service through June 30. The bill also created an additional Sales Tax Free Week happening this Sunday, April 10 through Saturday, April 16. If your kids are home on spring vacation, this is a great opportunity to save on their spring and summer wardrobe.

Over the last 15 years, every juvenile justice bill has gone to the Governor’s desk with strong support from members on both sides of the aisle. As we work to respond to the pandemic-driven uptick in car thefts and other criminal activity that all states have experienced, House Democrats have led bipartisan discussions since last summer to develop juvenile justice reforms without undoing our recent progress.

Today is National Doctors' Day, a day where we recognize the hard work and sacrifices made by physicians – pivotal members in the healthcare community. While I want to take a moment to personally thank all Connecticut doctors for their continued support, I also want to explain how we are taking steps in the legislature to address the growing concern of a depleting physician workforce in our state.

Today, the House passed an emergency-certification that will ease some of the financial burden on Connecticut residents and working families whose wallets and budgets have taken a hit due to rising gas prices and record-breaking inflation levels. We voted to suspend the 25-cent-per-gallon gas tax from April 1st through June 30th, offer free bus rides through June 30th and create an additional sales tax-free week on clothing and shoes under $100 from April 10 to 16.

Connecticut and the nation have seen gas prices increase at an alarming rate during this time of global unrest and the effect of market volatility on commodity prices. While price fluctuations are expected, there are some unscrupulous businesses that exploit these conditions to gouge consumers at the pump.

The mental health and well-being of our state's youth and families has been a leading priority of mine. While we saw a rise in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and other forms of distress in young people prior to the pandemic, the increased isolation and uncertainty that has come from the past two years has exacerbated this issue. My colleagues and I have worked collaboratively on a bipartisan bill to provide additional support, resources and structural change to the children's mental health system in Connecticut.

​​​​​​​State Representative Michelle L. Cook (D – Torrington) has been named among the recipients of AARP-Connecticut’s 2021 Legislative Achievement Award for her leadership to protect Connecticut nursing home residents' rights and safeguard their access to a high level of care.

The 2022 legislative session is right around the corner, and while the Connecticut General Assembly will not gavel in until February 9, the legislative process starts now. I will be holding a legislative coffee hour on January 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom to listen to your thoughts and concerns on state issues as well as your ideas for potential legislation.