April 19th Update

April 19, 2024
We welcomed the UConn Huskies and puppies at the Capitol this week. We moved legislation through the House and sent it on to the Senate for consideration. We even played a little kickball to raise funds for two worthy causes. All in all, a great week!

We'll be in session three days next week - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Time is running short before we call Sine Die on the 2024 legislative session. We end at 11:59 p.m. on May 8.

Have a great weekend, everyone! 

This newsletter includes:

  • Husky Day at the Capitol
  • Celebrating 4-H
  • Around the Capitol & LOB
  • 3rd Annual Kickball Classic
  • Utility Shut-Off Scam Alert
  • Celebrating Earth Day with "Clean Up Torrington"
  • Torrington Library's TAB Car Wash April 20
  • WBDC Grant Info Session on April 24
  • Art on the Spectrum Auction & Brunch on April 28
  • Princess Tea Party on May 5 at The Nutmeg Fudge Company
  • Blood Drive on May 9 at Torrington Library
  • And More!
Honoring Our NCAA Champions
on Husky Day
On Wednesday, we welcomed the NCAA National Champion UConn Men's Basketball Team to the State Capitol. Many of this year's starting lineup have declared for the NBA draft or are considering it, which means Coach Hurley will have to work his magic once again to recreate the championship-winning formula of the last two years. But we're all looking forward to a possible three-peat!
Celebrating 4-H at the Capitol
I was happy to welcome UConn 4-H Torrington this week to celebrate 4-H Day. Thank you to my colleagues in the House & Senate, including House Speaker Matt Ritter, House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, and Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding for coming to support these terrific 4-H students (& grabbing a cup of delicious ice cream from UConn Dairy Bar).

UConn 4-H Youth Development serves more than 20,000 young people each year. They provide non-formal, and in- and out-of-school community-based learning in all 169 cities and towns in the state. 4-H is for youth from the ages 5-18 and aims to help foster the development of leadership, citizenship, and life skills. 4-H stands for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health and their motto is “to make best better.” 4-H engages young people in agricultural sciences topics such as veterinary science, biotechnology, raising and training animals, and forestry.

If you'd like to watch the full press conference, you can find it HERE.
Around the Capitol & LOB
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, street takeovers have become a national issue, including here in Connecticut. This cannot become the new normal. These takeovers by the illegal use of all-terrain and other types of vehicles, pose a significant threat to public safety, endangering participants, innocent bystanders, and law enforcement officials.
 
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives took bipartisan and unanimous action to help cities and towns regain control of their streets as we voted 148-0 to pass HB 5413 to control takeovers, which have proven to be a concern for many of our residents.
HB 5413 seeks to provide more tools to municipalities in order to combat street takeovers, including:
  • Allowing cities and towns to destroy ATVs, dirt bikes, and motorcycles seized and forfeited for violating a municipal ordinance
  • Authorizing municipalities to adopt ordinances that penalize street takeovers and impose fines as well as the seizure of vehicles
  • Changing and tightening penalties for violating state law on street takeovers, including permanent driver's license revocation for a third violation of the statute 

I am glad my bipartisan vote provides additional tools and increased penalties to cities and towns to help deter street takeovers.

The bill now moves to the Senate for its consideration.
 
We were in session two days this week - Wednesday and Thursday. Among the bills we passed through the House:

HB 5168 - AN ACT CONCERNING SOLAR INSTALLATIONS IN CONDOMINIUMS AND COOPERATIVES.
 
HB 5224 - AN ACT CONCERNING SHARK FINNING.
 
HB 5225 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INVASIVE PLANTS COUNCIL.
 
HB 5457 - AN ACT CONCERNING NURSING HOME WAITING LISTS.
 
HB-5058 - AN ACT ADOPTING THE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT.
 
HB 5169 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE REQUIREMENT TO INSTALL SWIMMING POOL BARRIERS.

HB 5190 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE HISTORIC HOMES REHABILITATION TAX CREDIT.
 
HB 5197 - AN ACT CONCERNING SOCIAL WORKERS.
 
HB 5229 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EELGRASS WORKING GROUP.
 
HB  5262 - AN ACT CONCERNING A SEXUAL ABUSE AND ASSAULT SURVEY.
 
HB 5382 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE.

HB 5409 - AN ACT DESIGNATING VARIOUS DAYS, WEEKS AND MONTHS.
Thursday was Puppy Day with the CT Humane Society at the State Capitol. There is nothing better than cuddling cute puppies on a long session day! This Mimi also welcomed her granddaughter to the House Chamber on Thursday! She's practicing for her shot at Speaker of the House. 
 
3rd Annual Kickball Classic
One run...that's all that separated the two teams this year at the CGA Democrats vs. Republicans Kickball Classic at Dunkin' Park in Hartford on April 15. The Dems lost 4-3 in the bottom of the 7th inning when the Republican team kicked a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 7th. We put politics aside for the evening and raised funds for two worthy causes close to two of our colleagues - The Pink Fund & the Earl E. Exum Memorial Fund through the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

If you would like to donate to either fund:
The Pink Fund, click HERE
The Early E. Exum Memorial Fund through the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, click HERE. 
 
Utility Shut-Off Scam Alert
As utility service shutoffs for non-payment will start again on May 2, the state’s Consumer Counsel is warning residents about a possible scam targeting utility customers whose bills are overdue.

No third-party supplier will ever contact customers with billing issues. Both supply and delivery costs are billed exclusively by the electric distribution company – only Eversource or United Illuminating. If you receive correspondence from anyone other than Eversource or UI pertaining to your electric bill balance, you should assume that it is not legitimate.

If you think you have been scammed, reach out to:

  • PURA’s Education Outreach and Enforcement Customer Assistance Unit by emailing pura.information@ct.gov
  • Office of Consumer Counsel by emailing occ.info@ct.gov or calling 860-827-2900
  • The Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5318.
Clean Up Torrington on April 20
Torrington Library TAB Car Wash
Torrington Library's Teen Advisory Board will hold its spring car wash on April 20 from 12 - 2:30 p.m. at Tony's Westside Restaurant for $5.00 per car!

Artwork credit goes to Emilia P and Anna T from TAB
WBDC Grant Info Session in Torrington
Join the City of Torrington and the Women's Business Development Council to learn about the grant they are offering for businesses based in Torrington, CT. During the call, they will review the eligibility criteria, the questions and documentation required for the grant, and tips and tricks for success. Register HERE.
Torrington Recreation 2024 Summer Basketball League 
Registration is now open for Torrington Recreation's 2024 Summer Basketball League. To register, click HERE or visit the Recreation office to register in person. 
Art on the Spectrum Auction & Brunch
Princess Tea Party on May 5
You're invited to an afternoon tea party with the princesses! Join Cinderella, Snow White, Moana, Belle, Alice in Wonderland, Elsa, and more, on May 5 at The Nutmeg Fudge Company. For tickets and more information, click HERE.
Torrington Library Blood Drive, May 9
Did you miss the April blood drive at the library? You can sign up for the next one on May 9 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Click HERE to make your appointment, or find the blood drive through the Blood Donor App.
Sponsorship for Friendly Hands Food Bank Golf Tournament Available