Healthcare Workers Rally, Girl Scout Day at the Capitol and Newington State of the Town

March 17, 2025


 

 

Tuesday was Girl Scout Day at the Capitol and it was a great way to give our future female leaders firsthand experience with how our government works. As a Girl Scout when I was young I always look forward to meeting with troop members.  Members of a Newington troop pinned me while I took the Girl Scout pledge.  
 
 

LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

 
At this point in the legislative session, many of our committees have their deadlines to vote bills out of the committee for further action. This week, our Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee held two meetings to vote out many valuable bills to support our students and develop our workforce. 
 


 There are several bills to highlight including:

  • House Bill 6869 - to expand more opportunities for high school students to earn college credit in dual credit programs
  • Senate Bill 1413 - to require a plan from the Board of Regents to develop inclusive educational programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • House Bill 6885 - to expand the debt-free community college program to include students who transfer to a four year CSCU school

And two bills I led on:

  • House Bill 6078 - a priority of our Reproductive Rights Caucus to increase the number of campuses that have vending machines for over the counter medications, including emergency contraception
  • House Bill 7099 - to create a journalism fellowship program for recent graduates to support our local newsrooms

 
I look forward to the next steps on these bills this session and welcome your feedback. 
 
 


On Tuesday I attended the SEIU District 1199 New England Day of Remembrance with my intern Neeha as healthcare workers rallied outside the Legislative Office Building to mark five years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.  It's hard to imagine those early days of the pandemic and the sacrifices so many caregivers made in their daily lives. 
 


The gathering was not only to honor the caregivers we lost during the pandemic but also to raise awareness to the ongoing fight for fair wages, safe staffing levels, and the respect that frontline workers and their patients deserve. 
 
 


On Thursday I took part in the Newington State of the Town along with Rep. Gary Turco, and Sen. Matt Lesser, the Newington Superintendent, Mayor and Town Manager for a report on the community's accomplishments, areas for improvement, and goals for the coming year. It was great to hear your questions and engage in positive and productive conversation.  
 
 


I am excited to be a panelist and be a part of an upcoming Women's History Month Event.  In celebration of National Women’s History Month State Representative Kai Belton and Lt Governor Susan Bysiewicz are hosting Middletown’s 2nd Annual Women’s HERstory Brunch!  The event will take place on Saturday, March 29th, from 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. at Cross Street AME Zion Church, 440 West Street, Middletown.
 

 
This is a FREE event that is open to the public, seating is limited so please reserve your seat by clicking on the image above.  
 
 

STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES

There is a great upcoming opportunity to gain storytelling skills to use in advocacy for issues you care about hosted by the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity and the Parent Leadership Training Institute. Click here to register for this online event on March 19th.  
 
 

There will be a community conversation on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which includes municipal and education services. A brief overview will be followed by a Q&A. The event will be held on Wednesday, March 12, at 3:30 P.M. at the Bishops Corner Senior Center, 15 Starkel Road.
 
Additional sessions will be held on Monday, March 31, at 8:45 A.M. at the Bishops Corner Senior Center, 15 Starkel Road, and at 6:00 P.M. at the Noah Webster Library, 20 South Main St.
 
Public officials, including Mayor Shari Cantor, Deputy Mayor Ben Wenograd, Board of Education Chair Dr. Lorna Thomas-Farquharson, and Vice Chair Shannon Marimón, will respond to questions.
 
Click here to preview the proposed FY 2026 Town Budget, and click here for the Board of Education budget.
 
 

The Family Resource Center at Charter Oak International Academy, 425 Oakwood Ave, West Hartford has a parenting program that offers ways to understand and respond to your child's emotional needs.  

 
The program is offered on Thursday nights, March 27, April 3, 10, 24, May 1, 8, and 15 from 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
 
The class is limited to 10 participants and the fee is $10, childcare will be provided for ages 3 and up.  
 
Registration deadline is March 25, click here to register.
 
 

Don't miss the annual event to support the Lucy Robbins Welles Library in Newington!  Register today for the 28th Annual Newington Library 5K Challenge Road Race that will be held on Sunday, May 18tth at 9:00 A.M. at Mill Pond Park in Newington.

The first 200 registrants will receive a race performance t-shirt. In addition, the race will have a special guest participating, 4-Time Boston Marathon Champion, U.S. Olympian and former Newington resident Bill Rodgers who will be running the race.

Click here to register, early bird registration closes March 31st.