Mary Fortier

As we ring in the new year, there are some laws that become effective on January 1 that were passed during the 2023 legislative session addressing key issue areas including early voting, health and mental health, and online privacy and data protection.

I had a great time hosting the Energy Assistance Discussion at the Bristol Senior Center. Our special panelists, Operation Fuel, HRA of New Britain, and the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), all contributed to a very informative conversation that I hope benefited everyone.

I have good news to share. The Housing Advisory Panel voted to approve one-time grant funding awards as part of the Interest on Real Estate Brokers Trust Account (IOREBTA) Program, which includes $10,000 for Human Resources Agency (HRA) of New Britain.

Connecticut-based Dalio Education recently released a report it commissioned that focused on "disconnected and at-risk youth" and found more than 63,000 young adults were disconnected, and 56,000 students were at risk between 2021 and 2022, according to the compiled data.

This week, the state chose the Bristol Bazaar, a local business to announce a new branding and marketing campaign that will begin its promotion efforts at the beginning of November.

It is important that workers in all our communities are aware of the Paid Family Medical leave program and qualifying guidelines. For covered workers, CT Paid Leave allows you to take the time you need to address your own health conditions - or those of your family - without worrying about lost income while you are away from work.

A number of new laws that are effective on October 1st were passed during the 2023 legislative session that address several issue areas to improve our great state.

Connecticut is about to take a transformative step toward making prescription drugs more affordable for everyone.