Cristin McCarthy Vahey

On Wednesday, the Public Health Committee joined medical providers, scientist, experts, and Executive Branch agency leaders to share information about vaccine access and affordability here in Connecticut in the face of changing guidelines and confusion expressed by constituents and providers. Our goal was to emphasize that vaccines are safe and effective, they are an important part of population health, and to let our state know that we will continue to do everything we can to assure their availability and affordability here in our state.

The press conference which preceded the informational forum was attended by protesters who garnered headlines as they attempted to drown out the speakers. You can see both the press conference and the informational forum by following the previously highlighted links and see more coverage of the event here. This morning, I joined Melissa in the Morning on WICC to talk about this week's forum and what it was all about.

The bottom line is to talk with your trusted medical provider about what is best for you and your family. Reach out if you have questions about your insurance coverage for the vaccine. You can do so by calling your carrier or contacting the Connecticut Insurance Department. Pharmacists may continue to provide the COVID and flu shots.

Representatives Leeper, Keitt, and I would like to share the following statement on the tragic passing of Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber:

Absorbing the news that our dear friend, Bill Gerber, has died is difficult for us personally and for our entire community. Everyone who knew or interacted with Bill experienced his gift of making those around him feel better with his enthusiastic presence and joyful demeanor. He entered every room with that big smile and was always quick with a joke, a movie quote, a funny quip, and his hearty, contagious laugh.

Bill had an insatiable curiosity and seemingly endless energy. He loved Fairfield deeply and worked tirelessly to make it better, safer, and more welcoming to all. He was eager to tackle a challenge, bring people together, and fight for the causes he believed in. Bill has left a mark on this town that will never be forgotten, and he has left his stamp on the hearts of everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him.

Happy Friday, and happy Independence Day!

As we enter this holiday weekend, I hope you'll join me in taking a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Independence Day. Growing up outside of Philadelphia (lots of trips to Valley Forge, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell) and being part of a military family, we often reflected on the sacrifices made by those whose wisdom and courage birthed this nation. Many of us will gather, as my family does, for fireworks and cookouts and I hope you safely enjoy those opportunities. I also hope you will honor the ideals of freedom, democracy, and the generations of Americans who have fought to protect them.

As Memorial Day quickly approaches, with the end of the legislative session soon to follow, the pace of work here at the Capitol has picked up. The Governor and legislative leaders continue to negotiate a budget package, considering big-ticket items like education and non-profit funding alongside the hundreds of individual bills addressing policy solutions.

This week, I’d like to highlight some of the bills that have passed and share information about cancer screening and what we have done, and hope to do, here in Connecticut.

As we Spring into May, I hope you are able to enjoy the blossoming trees and flowers growing and aren’t plagued by allergies as many seem to be this season.

The legislative session is picking up as we move closer to Sine Die, or the June 4th end of session.

This week, I was proud to lead passage of two important public health bills, and support landmark climate legislation led by our Environment Committee.

This week, the legislature’s Appropriations and Finance Committees passed bills that together make up the legislature’s proposals for the state budget. The Governor’s proposal was put forward in early February.

The next steps involve ongoing negotiation between the legislative and executive branches to determine a final budget which will be voted on near the end of the legislative session in early June. You can see the Appropriations bill (the spending side) here and the Finance bill (the revenue side) here.

These bills are a step in the process and not the final decision. You can still speak up, advocate, and let us know what you believe should or should not be included in the state budget.

For all who are celebrating Easter this weekend, I wish you a blessed holiday with family and friends.

This week is National Public Health Week. This is a great opportunity to thank our state and local public health leaders who work tirelessly every day to keep our families and communities health, safe, and strong.

Whether it is assuring clean water, inspecting restaurants, combatting chronic disease, preventing gun violence, providing newborn screening, improving suicide prevention, providing immunizations, educating the public, or preparing for emergencies, our public health leaders are the people behind the scenes making it happen.