Kate Farrar

This Saturday, May 7, I hope you'll join me, the Elmwood Business Association, and our neighbors for an Elmwood Clean-Up. We'll start at the Faxon Branch Library at 1073, New Britain Ave at 9 a.m. Check in will start at 8:45 a.m. 

This is an opportunity for us to beautify our community and recommit to a greater neighborhood, state, and planet. Rubber gloves and trash bags will be provided.  We can't do it without you! Spread the word for this family-friendly event. 

It also includes critical funding to address period poverty and advance menstrual equity in our state. The budget provides $2 million to fund a legislative proposal I introduced to offer free disposable menstrual products in our public school restrooms, at colleges and universities, and in our shelters. Nationally, about 1 in 4 menstruators is unable to afford these necessary products, impacting how they do in school. About 70% of students say their academic environment make them self-conscious of their periods, and 38% struggle to do their best work. 

This is a crucial step in erasing cost barriers to these products and the stigma surrounding menstruation.
 
I was thrilled to welcome some of the students from Conard High School and UConn Stamford and Waterbury campuses to the Capitol who were a key part of advocating for this bill. 

The bill now heads to the governor's desk for his signature.

Juneteenth is the oldest known commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. The day is also sometimes called "Juneteenth Independence Day," "Freedom Day," or "Emancipation Day."

On June 19, 1865, about two months after the American Civil War, Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the war had ended. This announcement came two and half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. 

We cannot understate the importance of Juneteenth. It is a celebration of resilience, of culture and American history. It is emblematic of freedom for African Americans and for us all. It is a reminder of how far our country has come, and how far we still have to go. I'm proud that West Hartford will soon commemorate our second annual Juneteenth celebration on June 10^th and I look forward to our state following our town's lead. 

Thank you to Jan and Harold Kritzman from Newington for leading the way on this legislation and never letting up!

Catalytic converters contain several precious metals and are easy targets as they're accessible from underneath a vehicle. This issue has contributed to a parts shortage and higher costs.

By regulating the sale of these parts in Connecticut, we can address this issue and deter these kinds of thefts.

This bill is a smart first step, and we expect to continue this fight in the coming years.

The paper shredding event will be in the Oakwood Avenue entrance of the Public Works facility. This event is for West Hartford residents only. ID is required. Residents are permitted to bring 2 copy paper boxes (15 x 12 x 10) of documents to shred. No plastic bags. The event will end when the truck is full. 

The Public Works Open House event will be on Brixton Street. During this event, children will be able to sit in Public Works trucks. There will be a drawing for 5 yards of landscaping mulch as well.

Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the West Harford Food Pantry. 

Sincerely,

Kate Farrar
State Representative
she/her/hers