Juan R. Candelaria

Connecticut has the third-highest accumulated student loan debt in the country and the financial burden that our college graduates must shoulder after growing up here is driving many of them to other states where housing and the cost of living is cheaper.

I supported legislation which passed with bipartisan support in the House and Senate regarding Connecticut’s rapidly growing craft beer, wine and cider industries. In just a few years short years these industries have grown from a few hundred jobs to several thousand and generate millions for the state economy.

The House passed a budget which is responsible, stable, and funds the Rainy Day Fund at historic levels.

A small percentage of the state budget goes to programs serving inner-city youths to keep them from getting involved in activities that may put them on the road to failure or worse. However, even though they have minimal impact on the budget, these programs are often the target for budget cuts. Here are my House Floor Comments related to the budget and these programs.

I am pleased to report the House passed legislation that will facilitate minority teacher recruitment and retention across the state.

We passed a bill requiring the instruction of climate change in our public schools. It would be included in the science curriculum and based on guidelines consistent with the Next Generation Science Standards.

After many hours of debate over the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) legislation, House Democrats passed a bill which was already approved by the Senate. It now goes to the governor for his signature.

Connecticut municipal law enforcement should not be tasked with the job of enforcing immigration laws. We must not allow hard-working residents, undocumented or not, to be afraid of law enforcement – this makes them an easy target for crimes, exploitation and abuse by authorities. I was pleased to work with my colleagues in passing this important legislation.