Capitol Update 2022

update
August 9, 2022
Over the past few weeks, you may have seen my 2022 End of Session Newsletter in your mailbox. In case you have not seen it, I also wanted to provide you with an electronic copy to read about some of the important legislation we worked on to improve the quality of life for Fairfield residents.  

I hope you find this information helpful, and please make sure to forward it along to anyone you think may benefit from reading it. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
 
During the last legislative session, we passed over 200 bills. Below are highlights of just some of those bills.

I was proud to help lead the effort to address children’s mental health and support a budget that cut taxes by millions of dollars, made an additional payment towards our pension debt, and provided a rainy day fund that will ensure stability for our future.

The investments we made will help businesses survive and thrive, support our workers, and help our families and communities navigate today’s challenges.

Thank you for all of your e-mails, messages and calls. I listen to and read them all, greatly appreciate your ideas, and always weigh your diverse and thoughtful input as I make decisions on behalf of our district. If you have questions as you read, please reach out.

Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as your state representative.
 
 
VOTING AND TRANSPARENCY
  • Expanded eligibility for absentee voting
  • Passed extensive consumer data privacy protections
  • Authorized the use of remote or hybrid meetings in perpetuity
 
HELPING FAMILIES
  • Increased funding for non-profit service providers who care for our most vulnerable
  • Increased the amount a surviving spouse may retain under Medicaid spend-down
  • Established student loan reimbursement for mental health providers in shortage areas
  • Invested in early childhood education, teachers and children to provide safe care and help parents continue to work

PUBLIC SAFETY & GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION

  • Funded Youth Service Bureaus, the Auto Theft Task Force, and created the Office of Gun Violence Prevention
  • Made it harder to re-sell catalytic converters
  • Made the State Police Hate Crimes Unit permanent • Expanded hands on and crisis training for police
  • Extended employment protections to police officers who seek and receive mental health care services
 
HEALTH & WELLNESS

I was proud to serve as a member of the small bi-partisan working group that led the effort to address children’s mental health. Those bills and others passed:
  • Provided grants to schools for hiring mental health providers
  • Continued telehealth options
  • Safeguarded reproductive rights by expanding which providers can provide abortions and protecting doctors and patients from out-of-state litigation over reproductive health care
  • Expanded 24/7 emergency mental health response
  • Funded $150 million for new HVAC reimbursement for schools
  • Invested $12 million for tobacco prevention and cessation
  • Expanded breast and ovarian cancer screenings
 
ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES
This year’s most significant Transportation Committee bill was the Connecticut Clean Air Act. The bill:
  • Created incentives and faster timelines for electrification of school buses
  • Expanded eligibility for the CHEAPR rebate program to businesses, towns, and non-profits, and included e-bikes
  • Provided grant money for towns to modernize traffic signals
  • Introduced EV charging requirements for town buildings, renters, and condo owners