John-Michael Parker

Last week we held a press conference to introduce the Connecticut Future Caucus! This bipartisan group of legislators age 45 and under will focus on finding solutions to the issues facing the next generation of Americans, reinvigorating the spirit of collaboration in the political body that’s closest to the people of Connecticut.

I will be serving as a co-chair of the caucus along with Devin Carney (R-Lyme/Old Lyme/Old Saybrook/Westbrook); State Representative Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford) will be serving as vice chair. We were joined at the press conference by Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, State Senator Paul Cicarella (R-Durham/East Haven/North Haven/Wallingford) and State Rep. Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford).

You can watch the press conference here.

 I'm thrilled for this opportunity to help lead Connecticut's new Future Caucus and to work with my colleagues across the aisle on critical issues facing future generations. Whether in our communities or in the legislature, there's so much more that we agree on than the typical political narratives would suggest—and that's where we'll come up with the creative approaches to solve our biggest challenges. From climate to education to community development, we've got to bring new energy and new ideas to the entrenched issues hanging over all of our futures, and I can't wait to work with the members of this bipartisan caucus to encourage expanded civic engagement and help move Connecticut forward.

 Connecticut has now become the 31st state to join Millennial Action Project’s (MAP) national State Future Caucus Network, a movement of young elected officials that aims to slice through partisan gridlock, re-establish political cooperation and create meaningful progress through government institutions.

As always, I'd love to know what issues you're interested in, especially the ones on which we can bring folks together across the aisle!