Kate Farrar

On Wednesday, the House convened for a special session to formally adopt the next biennial state budget. Thanks to the hard work of the West Hartford delegation, our town will see an increase of $1,040,781 in fiscal year (FY) 2022 and $1,406,404 in FY 2023 compared to FY 2021.

Wednesday at midnight marked the end of the 2021 legislative session. I am grateful for your input, participation and recommendations throughout the last few months as we worked together on issues and priorities that you care about and that I adopted as my own.

What a beautiful week to celebrate Pride Month. I was proud to join my colleagues in the Connecticut General Assembly, Governor Lamont, state leaders and advocates yesterday to ring in Pride Month and celebrate the signing of the Connecticut Parentage Act.

Yesterday we passed legislation to address the social and economic disparities experienced by individuals with criminal records and those who were formerly incarcerated.

Among the bills we voted on was legislation updating our state's public health statutes to enable food trucks that already have a license to serve other parts of the state. Currently, food trucks must obtain a separate license from every health district where they plan to do business.

Starting today, Connecticut is implementing new safety protocols concerning face masks following updated recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Do you know a young person who may be struggling with their mental health? On Wednesday, April 21 at 7 p.m., I will be joining the Bridge Family Center, Regional CONNECT Care Coordinators, and DCF Mental Health Administrators for a conversation with parents, grandparents, and caregivers on how to find mental health resources for children and adolescents.

This Sunday, April 11 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the state Department of Veterans Affairs will hold a COVID-19 Vaccine Walk-In Clinic at 287 West Street, Rocky Hill. During this clinic, anyone who served in the U.S. armed services, regardless of their enrollment in the VA healthcare system, spouses and caregivers of veterans will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. No appointment is necessary.