Newsletter

March 18, 2022
House Passes HB5262: An Act Revising Certain Absentee Voting Eligibility Statutes
Voting is a fundamental right that should be fair and accessible, but Connecticut's voting laws are needlessly restrictive when it comes to voting by absentee ballot.
 
On Wednesday, the House passed HB 5262, An Act Revising Certain Absentee Voting Eligibility Statutes, to make it easier for voters to vote absentee if they're feeling unwell, worried about their health, or out of town on Election Day.  

To be eligible to cast an absentee ballot, current law requires voters to have a physical disability or illness that prevents them from voting in person or be out of town for at least 14 hours on Election Day.

No voter should ever have to choose between protecting their health and exercising their right to vote. This proposal eases some of the eligibility restrictions for absentee ballots so that more residents can choose this method to cast their ballot.

I encourage you to track this legislation as it moves forward for a vote in the Senate. I will keep you informed with further updates.
 
Best Place to Live in Connecticut...
 
According to Niche.com, West Hartford has landed on top, as the best place to live in Connecticut for the fifth straight year!
(photo credit Ronni Newton, we-ha.com)

According to we-ha.com: "Niche gives West Hartford an overall grade of A-plus, a ranking which is a comprehensive assessment of the overall livability of an area based on analysis of multiple data sets, from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, and CDC, and considers “affordability, the local housing market, neighborhood diversity, area public schools, walkability, and more.”

I'm proud to add that Avon and Farmington made the top ten. To read more from we-ha.com and Niche.com, please click

HERE.
 
Town of West Hartford Update: Medical Supply Collection for Ukraine through March 25
There is an urgent need for life-saving tactical medical supplies and hospital medical supplies. Razom, an Ukrainian non-profit organization, is working with volunteers and partners in the U.S., Poland and Ukraine to address the emergency medical needs of the people in Ukraine. A collection is underway for SPECIFIC medical supplies. Drop boxes are located at Town Hall and the public libraries. The collection runs until Friday, March 25, 2022. Questions may be directed to TacMedUSA@razomforukraine.org
FOR HOSPITALS

The following are available at local pharmacies (please check expiration dates on all products):

  • Rolled gauze, standard 4.5'' x 4 yards
  • Gauze pads, 4'' x 4'' (6x)
  • Burn Aid - water gel burn dressing 4x4
  • Cervical Collar
  • CPR Mask
  • Eye Wash, 4oz.
  • Medical Adhesive tape rolls (2 - 3" inches)
  • Pain Relievers - Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen, or both
  • Pair of Tweezers
  • Triple Antibiotic Ointment (full size)
  • Adhesive bandages (Band-Aids) in several sizes
  • Antibacterial ointment (Neosporin)
  • Aspirin / Bayer
  • Butterfly bandages, 0.5”x 2.75” (16x)
  • Caffeine pills
  • Diphenhydramine / Benadryl
  • Dressing materials, include dry or impregnated gauze,
  • Elastic wrap / ACE bandage, standard 4” x 5 yards
  • Gloves (examination and sterile)
  • Hydrocortisone cream (1%)
  • Safety pins (3x, various sizes)
  • White petroleum jelly / Vaseline in small container
  • Saline eye drops
  • Pepto-Bismol pills
FOR TACTICAL
The following supplies may be available on line or at medical supply stores:
  • Tourniquets
  • CELOX Z-fold gauze, standard 45'' x 4 yards
  • Emergency (Israeli Battle Dressing) Compression Bandage
  • Pressure dressing
  • Nasopharyngeal airway
  • SAM universal Aluminum splint, 36”
  • Ambu bags
  • Bandage Strips, 1''x3''
  • Abdominal pad (sometimes “ab pad”), 5'' x9'' (2x)
  • Burn Aid - water gel burn dressing 4x16
  • Chest seals (1 pair)
  • Coban roll, standard 2'' x 5 yards
  • Cravat/triangular bandage, 45'' x 45'' x 63''
  • CPR Mask
  • Cravat Bandage (CamoVat)
  • Dynarex Medicut Sterile Disposable Scalpels #10
  • EMT Shears
  • Multi-Trauma Dressings, 12''x30''
  • Stainless Steel Hemostats
  • Sutures needle size 6
  • Tongue Depressors
  • Emergency blanket (2x).                                   
  • Laryngeal Tube
  • Loperamide / Imodium
  • Miconazole
  • Moleskin, 5” x 2” strip
  • Mouthpiece for giving CPR
  • Needle & thread stored in isopropyl alcohol (2x needle/thread, 1x small container)
  • Plastic cling wrap, 2'' wide roll
  • Plastic films
  • Portable ventilators
 
Let's Talk About It: Social Media and Children's Mental Health
 
In this Zoom session, I am joined by experienced professionals from Connecticut Children's Medical Center as we discuss Social Media and Children's Mental Health. I learned so much through this forum and think that you will as well. Please see the video below.
 
 
Reminder: Women's Month Essay Contest is Ongoing, Submissions Due Today
 
I wanted to pass along a friendly reminder about the Women's Month Essay contest that my fellow West Hartford Representatives Jillian Gilchrest, Kate Farrar, and I are sponsoring. It is open to Hall High School and Conard High School students.

Students may choose one of the following two prompts:

  • Who is the most influential woman in your life today and why?
  • Who is your favorite woman in history and why?

 Participating students must submit their essay by *today March 18, 2022*. Students can submit their essays to Fiona.Brady@cga.ct.gov using the subject line "Essay Contest."
 
The top essay from each school will be announced by us on March 31, 2022.
 
Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day Today
 
World Down Syndrome Day is officially Monday, but we’re being asked to “Rock Our Socks” at school, work, home, etc. on Friday and/or Monday. Monday, March 21st, is a symbolic date because people with Down Syndrome have three copies of their 21st chromosome. People from all over the world wear colorful, mismatched socks to recognize and bring awareness to a day that was first observed by the United Nations in 2012.