Robin Comey

I hope this email finds you and your family well. I’m pleased to share that an important piece of legislation protecting the rights of warehouse workers has been signed into law.

Additionally, as we observe National Agriculture Week, I encourage you to support our local farms by purchasing locally grown foods.

Thank you for your continued engagement.

There is plenty to get to in the email below, so make sure to keep scrolling for more on:

• Around Town
• Branford Awarded Funding
• Warehouse Workers Rights
• Stay Informed and Follow Along
• National Agriculture Week
• Community Events

I recently joined advocates for Alzheimer’s at the Day of Action, where I had the pleasure of meeting Branford resident Joan.

Facts about Alzheimer’s in Connecticut:

• More than 80,000 Connecticut residents aged 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias
• An estimated 130,000 family members provide unpaid care, contributing over 200 million hours annually—labor valued at more than $5 billion
• Medicaid spending related to Alzheimer’s exceeds $1.2 billion each year

These figures represent more than just economic impact, they reflect the exhaustion, financial strain, and grief experienced by caregiving families across our state.

Click here to read a CT Mirror article on Alzheimer’s.

For help and support, visit https://www.alz.org/help-support or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Congratulations to Jim Finch on his retirement as Branford’s Finance Director. I’m confident he’ll enjoy this next chapter. The celebration of his career this past week was one of the most enjoyable and funniest events I’ve attended in a long time. Thank you for your outstanding leadership!

Another legendary New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the books, chilly and overcast, just like the weather in Ireland!

Governor Ned Lamont has signed Warehouse Worker Protection legislation into law (sections 50-57 of SB 298), marking a significant step forward in strengthening labor protections across Connecticut. This new law is designed to safeguard employees working in warehouses and fulfillment centers, industries that have seen rapid growth alongside increasing concerns about worker conditions and productivity demands.

The legislation establishes clear boundaries around the use of performance quotas, ensuring that such expectations cannot interfere with workers’ legally mandated rights, including meal periods and bathroom breaks. Employers are now required to be transparent about any quotas in place, meaning workers must be informed in advance of the specific performance standards they are expected to meet. 

Importantly, the law also introduces accountability measures. Employees who experience violations of these protections now have the ability to recover costs or damages they may incur as a result.

With this legislation, Connecticut becomes the first state in New England to enact Warehouse Worker Protection standards, and only the sixth in the nation to do so, joining California, New York, Washington, Minnesota, and Oregon. The move positions the state as a regional leader in advancing worker rights and reflects a broader national trend toward increased oversight of workplace conditions in high-demand logistics sectors.

It's easier than ever to follow along and get involved. There are several resources you can utilize that will help you stay updated on the legislative process as it unfolds in Hartford.

Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:  

• The Office of Legislative Research (OLR) provides nonpartisan and unbiased research to members of the General Assembly and its staff. Part of OLR's duties include writing bill analyses, which are summaries of bills in plain language. 
• You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website. 
• Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, press conferences, as well as House and Senate floor debates. 
• Click here to register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change. 
• Click here for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.

Together, we can ensure all voices are heard. 

Connecticut may be a small state, but its agricultural impact is significant. More than 5,000 farms operate across 372,000 acres, and the state’s agricultural industry contributes approximately $4 billion annually to Connecticut’s economy. In addition to food production, the industry supports a broad network of related activities, including processing, distribution, and agribusiness. Altogether, agriculture provides around 30,000 jobs statewide, making it an important source of employment and economic stability.

Connecticut residents also benefit from year-round access to fresh, locally grown food. With more than 100 farmers markets operating across the state, consumers have many opportunities to connect directly with local farmers and producers. Choosing locally grown foods not only supports farmers and strengthens the state’s economy, but also promotes healthier communities by increasing access to fresh, nutritious products.

Celebrate National Agriculture Week by supporting local farms. Click here to explore all things Connecticut Grown, from fresh local foods to farms and farmers markets across the state!