Mary M. Mushinsky

On March 9, I made an appearance on the Q-Show, a Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce program that airs on Channel 20 in North Haven on public access television, a show that covers legislative and policy updates.

Mary Mushinsky (D-Wallingford) has been tapped to serve in a new leadership capacity by Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin/Southington). Mushinsky, who has been serving since 1981, has been named Assistant Deputy Speaker. 

I am pleased that the Program Review and Investigations Committee (PRI), approved SB 148, a bill to regulate weaponization of drones, which attempts to curb civilian and police use of unmanned aerial devices to carry guns, incendiary devices, tear gas or other weapons.

I am pleased to see this important project moving forward that will provide expanded access without having to rely on motorized transport.

The State Bond Commission approved $250,000 in funds for Wallingford’s Lyman Hall High School to repair and improve their athletic fields. As Lyman Hall and the Board of Education have worked hard to repair and improve the substandard athletic fields, it is very helpful that the state is also willing to contribute a portion of the cost. Everyone shares an interest in protecting our student athletes.

I supported a budget package that begins lifting the property tax burden for Connecticut residents. Facing projected deficits over the next two years, the legislature cut over a billion dollars from the current services budget, however, the budget also ensures significant investments in the state’s transportation infrastructure, including improvements to roads, bridges and rail.

House passage of a measure, HB 6738, The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) that will support caregiving individuals and families by allowing tax free savings for their housing and education needs is laudable! The aim of this legislation is to help families support a family member with a disability, such as autism, without the fear of losing assistance. This way, disabled people may be supported without shifting additional burdens onto caregivers they may not be able to meet.