Capitol Update February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

As the legislative session ramps up, we're actively holding public hearings and voting to advance key priorities. If there's an issue you're passionate about, now is the perfect time to make your voice heard.

You can testify via Zoom, attend in person, or submit written comments to share your thoughts with the legislature.

Stay informed on what each committee is discussing by visiting the calendar of events on the General Assembly website. Don’t miss your chance to get involved!

Around The Capitol

Reproductive Rights Caucus Press Conference

As co-chair of the Reproductive Rights Caucus, I was proud to stand alongside my colleagues to unveil our legislative priorities for this session. Our collective goal is clear: to ensure that everyone in Connecticut has access to the full spectrum of affordable, high-quality reproductive healthcare they need and deserve.

I am committed to strengthening our groundbreaking shield law, the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, which I co-authored and helped pass in 2022. We must do everything in our power to safeguard the privacy of patients and protect those delivering reproductive healthcare—including through telemedicine—from legal attacks.

Last week, we took a crucial step forward by passing a measure that allocates $800,000 to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England to support its operations. This funding includes stockpiling mifepristone, an essential medication used for abortion care. But our work does not stop here. We must continue to protect and expand access to care, ensuring that no one is denied the healthcare they need due to fear, financial barriers, or political interference.

Reproductive healthcare is a fundamental right. The people of Connecticut deserve dignity, privacy, and access to the care they need to live as their true, authentic selves—and I will continue to fight to make that a reality.

Endometriosis Working Group
Priorities Press Conference

Connecticut has led the nation by investing in the first of its kind, state-funded Endometriosis Data and Biorepository Program. Nationally, research on women’s health has long been underfunded and as the future of federal research funding in general becomes increasingly uncertain, our continued support of the Data and Biorepository Program puts us in the position of leading on endometriosis research, diagnostics, and treatment nationwide.

For those with endometriosis, endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus. Nearby reproductive organs are often affected but the disease has been found in every major organ system. Tissue can grow on or around a person’s ovaries, fallopian tubes, and beyond. Tissue growth can also spread to other organs, even if they’re not related to reproduction. Some people have endometriosis on or around their bowels, rectum, bladder and, in some cases, tissue may spread as far as the chest cavity.

Beyond the physical pain that over 194 million individuals with the endometriosis experience, those suffering from the disease are often misdiagnosed, told the pain is normal, or accused of making up their symptoms.

Priorities of the Endometriosis Working Group include:

Connecticut’s Endometriosis Biorepository
School Nurse Training
Fertility Preservation
Fertility Specialist Training and Screening
Education for Students
Menstrual Equity
Access to Medical Care

I was proud to vote for a bill allocating $40 million in funding to special education, giving immediate support to more than 140 school districts in our state and helping to provide the highest quality education for our students.

These critical resources will help ensure students receive the specialized support they need to thrive.

Since then, the governor has expressed concerns regarding this budget allocation and has suggested the possibility of a line-item veto. However, I remain optimistic that a workable agreement can be reached as we address this critical issue.
My colleagues and I have heard from cities and towns across Connecticut that special education costs are squeezing local budgets. Students and families are dealing with the repercussions of a broken system, and while the legislature considers long-term solutions, we recognized our school districts needed immediate relief.

Our ultimate goal is to achieve systemic reform to ensure sustainable funding in this arena.

Special education remains a legislative priority for House Democrats this session, and moving forward, we will continue looking for solutions to lower costs, strengthen services, and provide more financial support for our education system to make sure every child has access to the education they deserve.

House Democrats Pass Veterans’ Property Tax

The House took action on tax relief for 100% permanently, and totally disabled Veterans....

Community Funding

On Monday, House Democrats made it abundantly clear that we stand firmly against Washington’s ongoing war on diversity and the harmful targeting of vulnerable populations. We are committed to treating all people with respect and dignity, and we legislate with those values at the forefront of our actions.