Speaking at the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus Press Conference

March 2, 2022

The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (BPRC) held a press conference in Hartford today to discuss its nine pillars or legislative priorities for the 2022 session. The press release is below.

 

BLACK AND PUERTO RICAN CAUCUS ANNOUNCES NINE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2022 SESSION

The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (BPRC) led by Chair, Representative Geraldo Reyes (D-Waterbury) and Vice Chair, Representative Bobby Gibson (D-Bloomfield, Windsor) held a press conference today to announce a list of priorities for the 2022 legislative session called "Nine Pillars" and were joined by Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford/Manchester).
 
In determining the priorities, the BPRC, a legislative body, worked with advocates from health care, mental health, education, employment, housing, voting rights, the environment, police accountability and more. It also worked with local officials and leadership in Hartford to prioritize and advance critical issues affecting Black and Brown communities the most - through the legislative process.
 
The BPRC will not waiver in continuing its advocacy and championing legislation that ensures social, economic and environmental justice to the communities its members have been elected to serve.
 
"This year the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus continued an aggressive agenda that addresses various inequities, both existing and newfound," said Rep. Reyes. "COVID-19 has not only exposed the long list of existing inequities in our communities, but it has also created new obstacles for marginalized groups that we are prepared to address."
 
"Last year, we identified eight legislative priorities that arose from the pandemic and these issues are still affecting communities of color one year later," said Rep. Gibson. "The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus is determined to not only further address these issues but to include others that continue to plaque Black and Brown communities."
  
The Nine Pillars include:

  • COVID-19 Health Equity
  • Economic Development & Workforce
  • Voting Rights
  • Housing Equity
  • Education Equity
  • Transportation Expansion
  • Environmental Justice
  • Police Accountability
  • Diversity on the Bench

The Connecticut Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus was formed in 1976 to promote and assist minorities in becoming more actively involved in the political process, and in attaining political office, and to raise the economic potential for minorities and empower the minority community in the state.
 
As the Labor chair in the House, I was asked to say a few words and, I did. Please see the video here.