Jason Rojas

Opioid overdose deaths have continued to increase during the pandemic – according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Connecticut saw a 14 percent increase in overdose fatalities in 2020. Did you know that most abused prescription drugs often come from family and friends? Today, on National Take Back Day, you can play a pivotal role in stopping this dangerous trend by safely getting rid of expired, unwanted, and unused prescription medications.

Happy Earth Week! As a longtime leader on climate change, our state continues to strive to develop and support forward-thinking climate-related policies and legislation, as well as participate in groundbreaking regional initiatives. The Connecticut Climate Action website is a hub for the Governor's three recent Executive Orders that take action to address the climate crisis.

I hope you having a great week, and are looking forward to a long weekend spent with family and friends. A reminder that many state and local offices will be closed on Friday in observance of Good Friday.

To put money back into Connecticut residents' pockets, we recently passed legislation to suspend our state's gas tax and offer free bus service through June 30. The bill also created an additional Sales Tax-Free Week happening this Sunday, April 10 through Saturday, April 16.

It's "Husky Weekend" in Connecticut! *Hopefully* we are celebrating a win against Stanford by the time you get this email. The Governor is urging all Connecticut residents to show their Husky pride this weekend by wearing UConn Huskies gear, displaying UConn flags and signs, and sporting blue and white.

It was a great week for basketball in our communities. The East Hartford High School Hornets earned the Class LL Basketball State title and East Catholic High earned the Division I title during this past weekend's championship games.

I hope you all had a good week – and are adjusting to the time change (which could be one of our last!). Though it may be a little chilly and rainy this weekend, warmer weather is in our sights as we welcome the start of spring on Sunday!

It's time to spring forward! Daylight Saving time begins this Sunday, March 13 - please make sure to change your clock an hour forward. This is also a great time to change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!