Michelle L. Cook

The 2024 legislative session is officially over. The final week can be very stressful, and a lot happens in a very short period of time, but it's a privilege to be included in an amazing process.

With the two-year $26 billion budget passed by the legislature last year remaining strong and in balance, we were able to make much-needed new investments in important areas such as higher education, early childcare, mental health services, and our non-profit community.

We're in the final stretch of the 2024 legislative session. We've been in session every day this week and we've passed quite a bit of legislation (you can find examples of it below). Every day has been busy up here, including time spent on the dais, but I did get to greet the Hartford Yard Goats mascot Chompers, who was here celebrating Hartford Day. 

Sine Die is less than two weeks away, and we are busily passing bills in the House, then sending them to the Senate for consideration. I was happy to join Friendly Hands Food Bank in hosting the 2nd Annual Food Insecurity Day at the State Capitol on Thursday. Thank you to my fellow legislators and their food bank representatives for attending and helping spread awareness that food insecurity knows no bounds. It can impact anyone. 

Food insecurity isn't a partisan issue. It impacts all people and all populations differently, from health outcomes to productivity at work or school.

Representative Michelle L. Cook (D-Torrington) and Friendly Hands Food Bank in Torrington, along with state legislators and representatives from food banks across the state, gathered at the State Capitol to bring awareness of food insecurity in Connecticut. Food insecurity is defined as the condition of not having access to sufficient food or adequate quantity to meet basic needs. Food insecurity isn't a partisan issue. It impacts all people and all populations differently, from health outcomes to productivity at work or school.

Public safety is one of government's most important responsibilities, and legislation passed by the House of Representatives takes aim at stopping the growing threat of "street takeovers."

A recent phenomenon that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, the brazen public safety threat known as "street takeovers" have become a growing national issue, including a number of dangerous incidents in Connecticut towns.

From session days to Husky Day and Puppy Day, from 4-H Day to the Kickball Classic, this has been a busy week in Hartford.