Addressing Medicaid Funding & Protecting Kids on Social Media
May 21, 2025
The House is meeting regularly in the chamber to vote on bills to improve our state. The days are filled with intense debate while we collaborate to advance important legislation for the 42nd District and beyond.
We recently addressed a Medicaid funding shortfall, strengthened protections for children on social media, improved protections for survivors of domestic violence, and so much more. I will unpack all of that legislation below.
I also introduced my first bill on the House floor which adds components to create a more accurate analysis in the Fiscal Accountability Report. You can watch video of my remarks below.
Days up at the Capitol also feature organizations providing vital services in our communities. I had the opportunity to meet with a pair of local nonprofits. Both Star Inc. and Abilis provide amazing services, and it was an honor to learn more about their dedication to helping others. Please keep scrolling for more on that.
Memorial Day is only a few days away, and our towns will honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I have a breakdown of all the upcoming ceremonies and parades taking place this weekend.
First Time Calling Up a Bill on House Floor
It was a profound honor to introduce and successfully pass my first bill on the House floor -- House Bill 7267, An Act Concerning the Fiscal Accountability Report. This legislation, which passed unanimously, marks a significant milestone in my legislative journey and reflects our collective commitment to enhancing transparency and fiscal responsibility in our state's budget process.
As Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee, I was entrusted with the responsibility of crafting, presenting, defending, and guiding this bill through the legislative process. The widespread support it received underscores the shared dedication among my colleagues to ensure that Connecticut's financial reporting provides us with accurate and meaningful forecasting and analysis.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all my colleagues for their support and collaboration on this important measure. Their commitment to fiscal integrity and transparency is commendable.
Click on the video below to better understand some aspects of the bill.
Introducing my first bill on the House floor.
Addressing Medicaid Funding
One of the most meaningful parts of legislative work is solving real problems that affect the daily lives of our constituents, our communities, and our state as a whole. This week, we faced a critical challenge: a significant Medicaid funding shortfall that, if left unaddressed, would have immediate and serious consequences. Without action, payments to doctors, nursing homes, hospitals, and other essential providers would have stopped as of Wednesday, May 21. That would have jeopardized access to care for thousands of Connecticut residents, impacting not just patients, but families and healthcare workers alike.
Fortunately, the House came together and passed a resolution to close the Medicaid deficiency and ensure continuity of care. By addressing this urgent funding issue, we protected vital medical services and reaffirmed our commitment to the health and well-being of everyone in our state. This is what good governance looks like – working quickly and responsibly to prevent harm and deliver real results for the people we serve.
Fostering Civic Engagement in Our Children
The House passed an education bill that recognizes civically engaged students, reforms crisis response drills, addresses smart phone usage in school, and more. I am a proud co-sponsor of House Bill 7009, which thinks holistically about success and supports for our children in school.
My colleague, Fairfield's Rep. Jennifer Leeper, explains what this bill means for our students! CLICK HERE to learn more.
This measure aims to protect our children from data harvesting and predatory advertising on social media platforms. The bill also tries to regulate content by preventing social media companies from targeting minors with content or push notifications.
CLICK HERE to hear Rep. Gary Turco break down how Connecticut is taking a stand to help our kids.
Improving Protections for Survivors
We passed a bill to strengthen protections for victims of human trafficking and sexual assault. The measure guards the physical addresses of shelters and group homes from public access and public discussion during agency meetings. Safeguarding these locations is a testament to our unwavering support for survivors.
CLICK HERE to hear New Canaan Rep. Lucy Dathan explain the importance of this bill.
Memorial Day Weekend Events
I would like to wish everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend. This is a time to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday and to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives serving our country.
Please join the community for the Memorial Day events listed below to pay tribute to our fallen heroes.
Make sure to fuel up before the Wilton Memorial Day Parade at the annual pancake breakfast at Wilton Congregational Church on Monday. The meal will be held from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
At 10:00 a.m., the parade will proceed through Wilton’s town center and continue to Hillside Cemetery, where a Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m.
Ridgefield’s Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday at 11:30 a.m. with a rifle salute at the veterans monument in front of Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church and concludes with ceremonies at Ballard Park.
The New Canaan Parade and Memorial Ceremony will be held Monday May 26 starting at 9:30 a.m. It starts at St. Mark’s Church and continues down Main Street to Lakeview Cemetery. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Local Nonprofits Promote Their Services
In the midst of all the action in the House chamber, it is always a pleasure meeting constituents and local nonprofits at the Capitol and also back home. Last Wednesday, I spoke with Dottie, a dedicated Wilton resident and advocate for Star Inc., which delivers comprehensive services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, from early childhood to employment and residential support. It's great to see Star Inc. making such a big difference in our community.
I also connected with our friends at Abilis, a nonprofit dedicated to continuing its mission of providing high quality services for the special needs community in Fairfield County. Advocates work tirelessly to fulfill their vision to help individuals of all abilities participate and contribute in meaningful ways. We are so grateful to have these organizations in our community!
What Has Your State Rep Has Been Up To?
I'm grateful to everyone who participates in the great American democratic process. That's why I have taken some time to write thank you notes to newly registered constituents! I would also like to give a shout-out to our registrars for all their work keeping up with our voter rolls!
It's always a privilege to join constituents at their events in town. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me and ask questions about our ongoing work at the Capitol to improve our community.
