Jennifer Leeper

It was another busy week at the Capitol, and the House passed some great bills that I'll tell you about below.

But first, I want to recognize National Teachers' Day, which was Tuesday.

I have always known the importance teachers play in our society, but as I serve my first term as House Chair of the Education Committee, I appreciate our teachers even more.

This week, the House voted in favor of HB 5004: An Act Concerning the Protection of the Environment and the Development of Renewable Energy Sources and Associated Job Sectors.

As our state is increasingly feeling the impacts of climate change, it is the legislature's job to enact meaningful change for the safety of our residents and to emerge as a leader on climate solutions.

I want to start off this eblast with some amazing news: a judge has ruled in Fairfield's favor and overturned the Siting Council's decision on United Illuminating's plan to construct monopoles along the Metro North train tracks!

This is incredible news that carries a lot of meaning for our community. This ruling is proof that regardless of how powerful a utility company may be, communities who come together and speak out and stand up are more powerful. This is such an important win for our community that so many worked to achieve together. I’m so proud to have been a part of this fight.

I would like to wish a joyful and peaceful Easter to all who celebrate! May this weekend bring hope, renewal, and time well spent with loved ones.

I want to start off by sharing some great, and long-awaited, news for our community: Fairfield has been granted a four-year moratorium from the state's 8-30g affordable housing law!

In this week's eblast, I want to give a difficult but critically important update on how federal funding cuts are directly impacting Connecticut. It's easy to tune out the news, but these cuts will end up impacting all of us, particularly with the widespread, nonsensical tariffs announced yesterday, which essentially serve as an increased tax on virtually all products we buy.

Before I go into how our state will be impacted, I want to be clear: this information is not meant to discourage you; it is meant to motivate you. This administration is moving at a breakneck pace, trying to stifle any meaningful opposition. But we cannot let them win.

This weekend, there will be protests across the state and the entire country, including in our neighboring Westport, as part of the "Hands Off" movement against these federal cuts. If you can attend, please do so - we can't do this without you.

This week I had the pleasure of joining my colleagues State Reps. MJ Shannon and Kathy Kennedy for a tour of Milestones Behavioral Services, which provides a specialized approach to individuals with autism.

It was a wonderful tour, and I thank Milestones for spending the morning with us, showing us around their program and explaining how they serve our students with the most acute needs. It was powerful to see everything they do to help individuals reach their full potential.

Tuesday's Medicaid rally at the Capitol was part of a nationwide day of action by members of Congress that brought together state and federal leaders, healthcare workers, advocates, and Medicaid recipients. The rally aimed to warn of the consequences should Congress approve drastic reductions to Medicaid funding.