Christine Palm

The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), in consultation with the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), has announced that $8.8 million in special food assistance benefits is scheduled to be distributed Sunday, August 13, 2023, to the families of 57,313 children under age 6 who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Congratulations to the Town of Haddam, which received a $4,550,000 grant award for Serving Our Seniors – Affordable Senior Housing and Senior Center. This adaptive reuse, ADA-accessible project in Higganum Village will transform the former elementary school to create a new Senior Center and sidewalks connecting to downtown. Thirty-three units of affordable senior housing will be created. The site will also host the community food pantry, a multi-generational park, and a dog park. The former school auditorium will be available for public use.

I want to make sure you have the information you might need to recover from the storms. Here are some helpful resources; I send these links in the sincere desire you never need them.

Over the next several weeks you may see some bright red liquid in the tributaries of the Connecticut River - do not be alarmed!

The Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), in cooperation with the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station (CAES), will soon begin releasing a non-toxic red dye in order to study the patterns of water flow. This study is being done as Phase I of testing that will eventually help the two groups finds ways to manage hydrilla in our waterways.

In the aftermath of the Supreme Court's devastating decision overturning Roe v. Wade, I am pleased that Connecticut has been a national leader in passing a number of measures defending residents, healthcare workers, and those from out-of-state seeking reproductive services and resources.

No doubt you have seen - on the news or with your own eyes - the dangerous conditions on the Connecticut River. The devastating floods in Vermont are washing unintentionally released objects (known as “flotsam”) downriver to us. Large tree branches, mattresses, garbage - even some unmoored boats - are moving briskly and causing a real hazard.

Part of what makes Connecticut great is that we seek to lift up all residents, regardless of income or background. This program is one more example of that commitment to our community.

The Legislative Session has officially adjourned until February 2024. But our work goes on!