In The News

West Hartford’s Vietnam War Era Veterans Honored
We-Ha.com | September 27, 2022
Vietnam War era veterans weren’t always thanked when they returned from service, but Connecticut’s lieutenant governor, together with the Department of Veterans Affairs, has been working to change that, traveling around the state to give those who served the recognition they may have not previously received.


Insurance companies, lawmakers spar over proposed Connecticut health insurance rate hikes
CT Public | August 15, 2022
Health insurance companies have requested double-digit rate increases in Connecticut — and elected and appointed officials from both parties urged the state Department of Insurance to reject the proposal at a public hearing Monday.


West Hartford Expected to Receive Nearly $9 Million for Projects on Bond Commission Agenda
We-Ha.com | July 22, 2022
Among the hundreds of millions of dollars the State Bond Commission is expected to approve for funding when it meets July 29 are five West Hartford-specific projects totaling $8,906,664.


Rally Before Pride Celebration in West Hartford Calls for Action to Preserve Human Rights
We-Ha.com | June 25, 2022
West Hartford Pride hosted “much more than a party” Saturday, as the tagline promised. 

But before the celebration, there was a call to action – an “Out Loud!” rally with a message that was even more urgent coming the day after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision protecting abortion rights on a federal level.


New Connecticut law aims to help women land better-paying jobs
CT Post | May 25, 2022
Gov. Ned Lamont signed into law on Tuesday a Connecticut General Assembly bill that aims to draw more women back into the workforce who lost or left their jobs voluntarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, by expanding the opportunities to “skill up” for better-paying careers and get coaching from those who have found success.


Teens' Period Poverty Activism Has Stirred Lawmakers to Action
The Pew Charitable Trusts | May 16, 2022
For many years, Laila Brown, a 16-year-old from Vicksburg, Mississippi, and her peers had conversations about the stigma of periods and the lack of period products at school. After learning about “period poverty,” or inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products and education, Brown and her older sister, Asia, 21, wanted to help.


CTNewsJunkie Analyzes Winners and Losers of the 2022 Legislative Session
We-Ha.com | May 5, 2022
The legislative session was required to end when the clock struck midnight on Wednesday, and in the past several days the Senate and House passed several key bills, among them the $24 billion modification of the FY2023 budget.


$3 Million Replacement of West Hartford Tennis Courts on State Bond Commission Agenda
We-Ha.com | March 24, 2022
The 25-year-old tennis courts at Conard and Hall high schools have reached the end of their serviceable life, and the $3 million replacement cost was included in the Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, but West Hartford’s legislative delegation announced Thursday that funding for the project has been added to the agenda for the State Bond Commission’s March 31 meeting, and is expected to be approved.


Brownfield Funding Will Spur $34 Million Mixed-Use Development Project in West Hartford
We-Ha.com | January 7, 2022
The Town of West Hartford applied for a $953,646 Municipal Brownfield Grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development for the property at 1051-1061 New Britain Ave., currently occupied by Ashley HomeStore Outlet, and learned on Thursday that the funds have been awarded, paving the way for the redevelopment of a key piece of property.


‘Not Your Grandmother’s Shoplifting’: Connecticut Launching Initiative to Address Organized Retail Crime
We-Ha.com | December 15, 2021
Attorney General William Tong and Gov. Ned Lamont announced Wednesday morning that the state is creating a task force, in partnership with government, businesses, law enforcement, and neighboring states, to focus on organized retail crime.


West Hartford Looking to Create Community and Cultural Center at Former St. Brigid School
We-Ha.com | November 10, 2021
The Town of West Hartford on Wednesday formally announced the recent purchase of 100 Mayflower St., formerly home to St. Brigid School, at an event celebrated by Gov. Ned Lamont, members of the town’s legislative delegation, Mayor Shari Cantor, and representatives of various groups that plan to make use of what is being planned as a new state-of-the-art community center and cultural center, serving teens, seniors, cultural organizations, and the Elmwood branch of the public library in a flexible space that is also adjacent to the town’s largest park.


Bridge Celebrates Opening of Shield Street Mental Health Clinic
We-Ha.com | October 7, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic may have delayed the official celebration of the Bridge Family Center’s new mental health clinic on Shield Street in West Hartford, but counselors have been using the space, and serving more clients than ever, since the it opened in August 2020.


Connecticut's Age Discrimination Law Takes Effect Friday
We-Ha.com | September 27, 2021
A law that was championed by the Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, who chairs the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls, as well as state Sen. Derek Slap (D-West Hartford), becomes law in Connecticut on Oct. 1 and was lauded Monday at a press conference at the Elmwood Community Center in West Hartford by those who have been fighting to overcome age discrimination.


West Hartford Town Manager Urges Legislative Delegation to Take Action on Juvenile Crime and Recidivism
We-Ha.com | September 1, 2021
Crimes committed by juveniles in West Hartford, and throughout Connecticut, often make headlines not just because of the nature of the acts, but also because the perpetrators are often released to a parent or guardian within hours, and rarely face consequences of significant magnitude.


West Hartford Lawmakers Encourage Gov. Lamont to Enact Statewide Mask Mandate
We-Ha.com | August 23, 2021
In response to the Town of West Hartford’s recent implementation of an indoor mask mandate, the West Hartford legislative delegation issued the following statement encouraging Gov. Ned Lamont to enact a statewide mask mandate.


Korean War Veterans Honored at West Hartford Town Hall
We-Ha.com | July 25, 2021
Ceremonies are being held throughout the state to honor veterans of the Korean War, and on July 14 Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Mayor Shari Cantor, and Thomas Saadi, commissioner of Veterans Affairs visited West Hartford to recognize those who served 70 years ago.


West Hartford Receives Funding from State Bond Commission for Purchase of Former St. Brigid School Property
We-Ha.com | July 23, 2021
Connecticut has strayed from Gov. Ned Lamont’s previously-imposed debt diet, and at a meeting of the State Bond Commission on Friday, July 23, approved $1 billion in bonding for a variety of projects, including the Town of West Hartford’s creation of a new Elmwood Community Center at 100 Mayflower St., the site of the former St. Brigid School.


Governor's Education and Workforce Initiative Applauded
We-Ha.com | July 22, 2021
State Rep. Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford, 20th District) joined Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, along with other leaders, for a bill signing ceremony at Capitol Community College in Hartford on Wednesday.


West Hartford Hosting Mobile Vaccine Clinic Focused on AAPI Community
We-Ha.com | June 17, 2021
While West Hartford’s rate of vaccination is high, hesitancy as well as lack of access remains a concern among many minority groups, and officials were at the A Dong Supermarket Thursday morning to promote vaccination and welcome one of the Department of Public Health (DPH) mobile vaccination vans.


West Hartford Lawmakers Support Legislative Proposal Expanding Insurance Options to Undocumented Immigrants
We-Ha.com | April 13, 2021
State Sen. Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) and state Rep. Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford) joined the Connecticut Immigrant & Refugee Coalition, United Action Connecticut, HUSKY 4 Immigrants, the Charter Oak Cultural Center, and advocates Tuesday in front of the Legislative Office Building to rally support for a legislative proposal that expands health insurance coverage to certain undocumented immigrants.


Dozens of West Hartford Residents Receive COVID Vaccine at Special Clinic
We-Ha.com | March 28, 2021
The most recent efforts by the Town of West Hartford to make COVID-19 vaccines accessible to all who are eligible resulted in a successful clinic held Friday afternoon at the Elmwood Community Center for residents of the Hillcrest area, which has been identified as one of the priority neighborhoods to ensure equitable access throughout the state.


Farrar Touting Legislative Child Care Initiative
Patch.com | March 8, 2021
On International Women's Day, State Rep. Kate Farrar (D – West Hartford) testified before the legislature's Education Committee during a Monday public hearing in support of a legislative proposal that would help reduce the cost of child care in Connecticut and ensure more women can get back to work post-pandemic.


Op-Ed: Long Past Time for Affordable Health Care – A Real Public Option
CT Mirror | February 16, 2021
The COVID-19 health and economic crisis lays bare the need for a real public option healthcare bill in Connecticut. Senate Bill 842, which received a public hearing on February 9, expands the coverage of the current state employee health care plan to allow small businesses, non-profits, and unions to buy into the plan that fits their needs. 


State Reps. Borer, Farrar Propose Legislation on Board Diversity
Patch.com | February 11, 2021
State Representatives Kate Farrar (D – West Hartford) and Dorinda Borer (D – West Haven) have proposed and support the passage of House Bill 6211, An Act Concerning Gender and Racial Diversity on State Boards and Commissions, during the 2021 legislative session.


Connecticut Democrats Push Governor to Raise Taxes
Lamont has argues for holding the line on taxes, plans to introduce budget this week
The Wall Street Journal | February 7, 2021
As Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont crafts a budget plan to close deficits exceeding $1 billion in the next two fiscal years, a coalition of Democratic lawmakers is pressuring him to raise taxes to help residents struggling financially during the pandemic.


Progressive Legislators to Lamont: Tax the Rich and Expand Support for Poor and Middle-Class
CT Mirror | February 3, 2021
One week before his next budget proposal is due, 30 of Gov. Ned Lamont’s fellow Democrats challenged him Wednesday to embrace what he strongly opposes — tax hikes on the rich and lifting spending limits — to invest billions in those most hurt by the pandemic.


A Call for a Tax Increase and 'Fairer' Economic Recovery
NBC Connecticut | February 3, 2021
Thirty Democratic lawmakers are calling for increases in taxes on the wealthy and better access to health insurance.

“Our state has lost 7,133 fellow residents to COVID-19. We have nearly 200,000 people still out of work, the majority of which are women. And there are thousands of families fearful losing their homes,” Rep. Kate Farrar said. 


The Push is on to Bring HUSKY Health Insurance to Undocumented Immigrants in CT
Danbury News Times | February 3, 2021
The phrase “health care is a human right” was repeated over and over again throughout this week’s virtual launch event for a bill to expand health coverage to undocumented immigrants. It was a sentiment voiced frequently in immigrant stories of medical traumas. It’s a stance that is taken by some Connecticut legislators in interviews.


West Hartford Restaurateurs Share COVID-19 Concerns During Chamber Forum with U.S. and State Legislators
We-Ha.com | January 10, 2021
Local restaurant owners were very frank in their comments to Connecticut’s senators and those who represent West Hartford in the state legislature: things are very difficult, more financial assistance is needed, and things won’t get better until consumer confidence is restored.


West Hartford Lawmakers Condemn Insurrection at U.S. Capitol
We-Ha.com | January 10, 2021
In response to the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, members of the West Hartford legislative delegation issued the following statement:

Wednesday’s disturbing events at the U.S. Capitol will leave a dark stain on the pages of American history.


An Opening Day Like No Other for Connecticut Legislature
We-Ha.com | January 6, 2021
class="MsoNormal">In an Opening Day staged through remote proceedings and chilly outdoor ceremonies, the Connecticut General Assembly kicked off its 2021 legislative session Wednesday with lawmakers kept at a distance due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.