Jason Rojas

The first significant snowfall of the season has finally arrived. I hope that you all are staying safe and warm. As we move further into the winter and storms like this become more frequent, I encourage you to remember the following safety tips:

As we close out 2021 and are continuing to combat COVID-19, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude and appreciation for the way all of us have worked together over the past year to take care of one another. While we have challenges ahead, I believe that our communities will be stronger on the other side of this pandemic. Thank you all as well for sharing with me your experiences and perspectives as we work to find the best solutions for our community. I'm wishing each of you a happy, healthy, and safe New Year!

In lieu of the holiday this weekend, I'm sending this week's update a little earlier so that you can focus on enjoying time spent with your loved ones!

I hope you all have been staying happy and healthy this month. Next week brings a holiday, and I wanted to remind you that state and local offices will be closed in observance so please plan accordingly.

The state's recently-formed 36-member Commission on Connecticut's Development and Future is soliciting applications from the public to serve on working groups to make policy recommendations relating to land use, conservation, housing affordability, and infrastructure.

As the first snow of the season melts away, it's a great time to prepare for the winter weather ahead. During our colder months, it's critical to take steps to prevent cold temperature-related health problems and keep yourself and your loved ones safe!

I am pleased to announce that Connecticut's landmark Paid Family and Medical Leave Program has started accepting claims for paid leave beginning January 1, 2022. Under the program, which the legislature passed in 2019, eligible workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks of time off work for certain qualifying events without losing income.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving spent with loved ones. With the holiday season now in full swing, the shopping season is also kicking off. As you start planning your DIY projects and make your gift lists, I encourage you to take a moment to think about supporting small businesses. This Saturday is Small Business Saturday, an annual event that reminds us to support our local small businesses during the busiest shopping period of the year.