Robin Comey

As we approach the final weeks of this year’s legislative session, the Capitol is bustling with residents of all ages from Branford and every corner of the state. With the House working diligently to move our priorities forward we are focusing on the key issues your families are facing before the session comes to a close on June 4.

There is a lot in this week’s update and I hope you will take the time to read about it!

I was at the Morning Without Childcare rally in New Haven on Wednesday, joining teachers and parents from Branford and beyond. Hearing directly from our caregivers and parents really hit home.  

Childcare is broken, parents can’t afford it, teachers aren’t paid enough, and kids miss out. It’s that simple.

Without affordable childcare, parents have to choose between work and family. That’s not right.

Connecticut is stepping up and we in the legislature are putting meaningful investments into our early care system. 

I attended the annual meeting of the Branford Historical Society. The 1920’s theme was a fun twist on the night.  Thank you to Matt Radulski the outgoing chair who served for a whopping eight years! I am pleased to take the reins as the new chair of the board of directors.  I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by people who are innovative, knowledgeable, and hard-working. Thank you for this opportunity to work to preserve Branford’s history.

Students from John B. Sliney Elementary School showed up to the Capitol in huge numbers! It’s always such a nice opportunity to introduce kids to government and discuss civics with them. The League of Women Voters gives excellent tours and is available to the public most days. Click here to schedule your tour of the Capitol. 

This week, the House passed an education bill that honors civically engaged students, reforms crisis response drills, and much more.

HB 7009 establishes the Connecticut State Seal of Civics Education and Engagement, which recognizes graduating high school seniors for their exceptional achievement in civics.

This seal is for students who demonstrate civic engagement in school, through the completion of classes and assessments, and outside of the classroom by participating in community service, student government, and more.

At a time when civic engagement is alarmingly low in our country, this recognition will encourage students to learn more about the way our government works and the role they play in shaping society.

This seal also sends a powerful message that civics isn't just a class to pass; it's a way to make a difference and give back to your community.

Another key portion of the bill reforms school crisis response drills.

The tragic reality is that children need to be prepared in case of emergencies. But research has shown that some crisis response drills are ineffective and leave children with lasting anxiety.

HB 7009 establishes new standards for school crisis response drills to continue to protect and prepare students and staff while being sensitive to mental health needs.

While schools must be prepared for an emergency, organizers must ensure these drills are conducted effectively and responsibly.

Other key aspects of HB 7009 include: 

• Limiting the use of smart devices in school
• Addressing antisemitism in schools
• Providing curriculum on Islamic and Arab Studies
• Allowing districts to decide whether to allow children under the age of 5 to begin kindergarten early
• Raising the standard for when a student in pre-K to grade 2 can get an out-of-school suspension
• Requiring same-day notification of any use of restraint or seclusion of a student.

HB 7009 is an important bill that encourages civic engagement and protects our students' mental health, and I was proud to cast my vote in support.

We also took steps toward addressing the mental health crisis facing Connecticut teens using social media by passing HB 6857 with bipartisan support.

According to the American Psychological Association, U.S. teens, on average, spend 5 hours a day on the seven most popular social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok. While that's alarming enough, a majority (60%) of teenage high-frequency social media users who had low parental oversight reported they had poor or very poor mental health. 

To keep eyeballs on screens, social media companies have algorithms designed to keep their youngest users glued to their screens, so much so that teens often exhibit addict-like behavior in continuing to use the apps. 

To address the issue, HB 6857 requires, among other things, age verification methods for minors and limits on the times when social media platforms can send minors notifications.

Connecticut took a major step forward as a national leader with this new effort to reign in big tech’s predatory practices that are reinforcing addictive and harmful choices in minors.

We voted to improve interagency communication and collaboration on homeless services by establishing an interagency council on homelessness with HB 6894.

This council will bring together representatives from state agencies, nonprofits, public housing authorities, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness to ensure that our state agencies are coordinating and developing long-term solutions.

We are always looking at ways to improve government efficiency and address homelessness head-on.

Monday was the 4th Annual CGA Democrats vs. Republicans Kickball Tournament and the Democrats won 4-1!  Good bipartisan fun, money raised benefits Connecticut Foodshare.

Recent Branford High School graduate Michael Radziunas graduated early at his mother’s bedside at Connecticut Hospice. He was presented with his diploma on April 24 while his mother, Kathleen, looked on. She passed away a few days later.  Click here to read the Stamford Advocate article.