Newletter
May 14, 2021Today's e-update brings you:
- House passes HJ58: Resolution Proposing a State Constitutional Amendment to Allow No-Excuse Absentee Voting
- Applications Being Accepted for Connecticut College Corps Program
- FDA Approves Pfizer Vaccine for 12-15 Year Olds
- Avon Middle School Women's Month Essay Winners
- Military Appreciation Month
- May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Too
| HJ58: RESOLUTION PROPOSING A STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ALLOW NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING PASSES HOUSE |
Participation in the electoral process is the cornerstone of democracy and as the nation moves toward easier access, Connecticut's restrictive laws lag behind most other states.
The House of Representatives adopted House Joint Resolution 58 Tuesday night. It proposes a constitutional amendment to allow for no excuse absentee voting.
The resolution was approved by a majority of House members though it fell short of the 75 percent that would have placed the proposal on the ballot in November 2022.
The General Assembly may now take this issue up again in 2023, and if successful, voters could decide in 2024 if they'd like to see no-excuse absentee voting in subsequent elections.
HJ58 is part of our strong push this session to make voting more accessible, convenient and safe for all eligible voters in Connecticut. Although we didn't make it over the finish line, engaging in a debate and an official vote on this topic now brings us closer to doing so in the future.
| APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR CT COLLEGE CORPS PROGRAM |
The College Corps CT Summer Program is accepting applications from college students looking for meaningful summer employment. Corps members who complete the program requirements will receive a $4,500 stipend!
The Application Deadline Is May 21, 2021
You can get paid while taking part in a statewide effort to support summer enrichment opportunities with Connecticut students in grades K-12! You can learn more here.
All undergraduate students who attend Connecticut colleges and universities, including class of 2021 graduating seniors, as well as state residents who attend college out of state, are eligible to apply to the College Corps CT Summer Program. Apply here.
The program is part of a statewide effort to promote summer enrichment opportunities for students in grades K-12 who have had their school years significantly disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
College Corps members will receive one week of specialized training prior to being matched with summer enrichment programs throughout the state as part of a seven week program to provide meaningful, educational experiences for youth.
Current state and CDC COVID-19 guidelines will be followed throughout the program.
For questions about the College Corps CT Summer Program or application process please contact collegecorpsct@fairfield.edu.
| FDA APPROVES PFIZER VACCINE FOR 12-15 YEAR OLDS |
Have you heard the news?
The FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine for kids aged 12 to 15! UCONN Health center is already accepting appointments as soon as Friday for 12-15 year olds to receive the Pfizer vaccine. As a heads up, it will most likely also be announced this week that masks will no longer be required outdoors, including at recess.
| AVON MIDDLE SCHOOL WOMEN'S MONTH ESSAY WINNERS |
I was so proud to present citations to three of the four winners of my Women’s History Month Essay Contest (one for seventh grade and two for eighth grade) last Friday. Our winners were Aarika Biswas (7th grade—Michelle Obama), Nora Buzzo (8th grade—Malala), and Neda Meghrous (8th grade—Marie Curie).
These essays demonstrated significant deep thought and connection between the woman they chose and their own lives—I’ll admit, I was misty giving these awards, hearing about the challenges in our young student’s lives and how these women sheroes help them persevere. After the year all of our students have had, it was so wonderful to celebrate a happy occasion with them.
Each certificate is signed by Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and the citation says, “Being named as a winner of the 2021 Women's History Month essay contest. This honor is a testament to your ability to not only connect with the woman who inspired you, but also to inspire your reader. May you continue to inspire others with your passion for learning both in and out of the classroom.”
This Friday, I will be delivering the final citation to one talented seventh grader in Canton and we will announce her next week!
| MAY IS MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH |
This Saturday is Armed Forces Day and I wanted to take a minute to thank our servicemembers and veterans.
(photo credit military.org)
I am the proud granddaughter, daughter, and wife of Navy veterans and we never miss an opportunity to thank our military servicemembers for their ongoing dedication to our nation. It’s hard to imagine that as of this fall, we will have had our military engaged in an active war for 20 years. We honor the thousands who have served us admirably there and remember those who lost their lives in the protection of our freedom.
I’d also like to acknowledge how critically important our military families are as they support their loved ones during their deployments, including my wonderful aide, Brittany Kane, whose brother, Mike, just returned from his deployment and who immediately married his sweetheart, Kat. Congrats!
| MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH, TOO |
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and while we faced challenges with access and stigma before the pandemic, we know that the last year has exacerbated the necessity for mental healthcare.
Part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) campaign to raise awareness is their simple statement that "You are not alone." Now, more than ever, it's critical that we come together to support one another, that we acknowledge that mental illness is a disease, and that getting help and having access to help should be something available to everyone.
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, NAMI's Helpline at 800-950-NAMI or in crisis, text NAMI to 741741.
| MY FELLOW FRESHMEN LEGISLATORS |
Voters wanted to see change when they hit the polls in 2020 and it resulted in a wave of new ideas and newly-elected officials. I am honored to join my fellow freshmen legislators in the fight for positive change.
