Rebecca Martinez

It was great to be back in the House chamber this week with my colleagues. In the coming weeks, the State House and Senate will be meeting much more frequently to give final passage to bills that advanced through committees. Bills that passed through the House and Senate will then be sent to the governor's desk to be signed into law. I will keep you updated on all of the important bills the legislature passes!

This week, the Blue-Collar Caucus - which I chair along with Rep. Kara Rochelle - joined to unveil their 2026 legislative priorities.

Over the past several months, we’ve been meeting weekly with a wide range of stakeholders—workers, unions, advocates, and community leaders—to hear directly what blue-collar families are facing. And what we’ve heard is clear: rising costs, workforce shortages, and job conditions are putting real pressure on the people who keep our state running.

These bills support our educators, protect our healthcare workers and first responders, reforms worker rights in our trades, and addresses affordability for our blue-collar families.

This week I joined my colleagues to support a new plan that strengthens the Education Cost Sharing program, the state's leading grant to local school districts. The plan redirects between $100-$170 million from our state's surpluses to flow back to cities and towns for education funding.

This proposal would prevent cities and towns from having to increase property taxes to cover the rising cost of education. It is our responsibility to make sure all children in Connecticut receive a proper education and learning environment, and this proposal goes a long way toward achieving that goal.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to recognize the strengths, talents, and contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities while also raising awareness about the challenges they may face.

There are many ways to show support during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. You can:

Engage in meaningful conversations
Share stories and experiences
Amplify the voices of people with lived experience
Help break down stereotypes and misconceptions

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions women have made to our communities, our state, and our nation. Here in Connecticut, countless women have shaped our history through leadership, innovation, advocacy, and perseverance.

While this month offers a special opportunity to reflect, their stories deserve to be honored all year long. From historic homes and museums to landmarks connected to groundbreaking achievements and social movements, our state is rich with places that preserve and share the legacy of women who helped shape Connecticut’s past and future.

Our committees are hard at work, drafting legislation and holding public hearings soon to allow anyone who would like to comment the chance to have their voice heard.

The House came back into session this week, where we will meet for the next three months to pass legislation to better our state. It was wonderful to see my colleagues and begin the work on behalf of our communities.

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.

A reminder that this event has been postponed - we will keep you posted on the new date and time soon. Stay safe out there!