March is Women's History Month, East Norwalk Train Station to Temporarily Close, and More!

March 8, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

On Thursday, I stood with a bipartisan group of legislators in support of HB 5001 - AN ACT SUPPORTING CONNECTICUT SENIORS AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF NURSING AND HOME-BASED CARE.

HB 5001 is a large omnibus bill that addresses several elder related issues, - if passed, it will create guidelines to protect older residents who live in assisted living facilities from financial and physical harm, provide resources to those who wish to age in their own home, and develop additional training to help improve the quality of care from homecare workers. 

This bipartisan bill is a gamechanger for our seniors, and I am grateful to Speaker Ritter and Majority Leader Rojas for making this our top priority this session. I join Chair Garibay and Ranking Member Bolinsky in support of this crucial work together, and as Deputy Majority Caucus Chair it is a privilege to be a member of their team and collaborate with them to advance our shared commitment to our elders and their increased quality of life.
March is Women's History Month 
March is Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to honoring the vital role women have played in American history. It’s also a time to celebrate their achievements and learn more about their contributions. This year’s theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion,” which recognizes women throughout the country who believe a positive future can only be achieved by eliminating bias and discrimination from our society.
Connecticut has a long history of female pioneers who brought progress to our state and the rest of the country. Women in our state have consistently risen to positions of leadership within the political landscape, showcasing their outstanding abilities and commitment to public service.
  • We are home to the first boarding school for women of color, which opened in 1831 in Canterbury.
  • Helen Keller was one of Connecticut’s most influential women for her fierce support and advocacy of women’s suffrage, legalization of birth control, and benefits for people with disabilities.
  • Ella T. Grasso was the first woman elected Floor Leader in the Connecticut General Assembly, first woman to chair the Democratic State Platform Committee, and the first woman in the U.S. to be elected governor. 
  • Antonia “Ann” Uccello was the first woman in Connecticut to be elected mayor of a municipality, and she was the only woman to head a major U.S. city during the Civil Rights era.
  • Today, U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro continues to break barriers.
Click Here To Read More About Women’s History in Connecticut
In our quest to honor and protect women in our state, I would like to highlight some of the work we have done and continue to champion in the legislature. 
Our tireless advocacy is far from complete. We have several priorities in the 2024 legislative session that directly impact women on a daily basis.
Let's celebrate Women's History and the remarkable women in our own lives each and every day!
Department of Agriculture Farm Transition Grant Awarded in Norwalk 
I am pleased to announce that a Norwalk organization received a grant from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg). High Ridge Hydroponics was one of 39 recipients of the 2024 Farm Transition Grant (FTG), which aims to strengthen the economic viability of Connecticut agricultural producers and cooperatives seeking to expand, diversity, and improve their existing operation. They were awarded $10,800 in the Infrastructure Investment Category to build an automated irrigation system.

High Ridge is a vendor at the Westport Farmer’s Market - I encourage you to stop by and check them out. Click here to visit their website. 
Poster Contest Extended to April 1

As of last year, Connecticut required climate change to be included in the science curriculum for grades 5–12. Given this new focus, the Connecticut Coalition for Climate Action will host a poster competition this year. 

Submissions will be judged by a panel of legislators, environmental leaders and others. 12 submissions will be recognized to highlight the climate issues being studied throughout the state. (High resolutions images will be required if a submission is selected.)There will also be an event at the State Capitol the week of Earth Day to celebrate the winners and share their submissions.
 
Please contact Lisa Winkler at 860-614-6102, lisa@grassrootsct.com or Tricia Dinneen Priebe at 203-464-3793, tricia@grassrootsct.com if you have any questions or need any additional information. You may also visit the Coalition website at www.climateactionct.org

 The deadline for submissions has been extended to April 1, 2024 and submissions can be emailed to CTClimateActionCoalition@gmail.com.
East Norwalk Train Station: Temporarily Closed March 11-March 31

Please be reminded of the upcoming temporary closure of the East Norwalk Train Station, starting Monday, March 11 - Sunday, March 31, 2024. Upcoming construction activities include installing a new underdrain system under the existing East Norwalk station northern parking lot ahead of future upgrades at the station.

The train station and parking lot must be closed to accommodate construction to ensure the safety of workers.

Trains will stop in Westport and South Norwalk; a shuttle is available via Norwalk Transit District, between South Norwalk and East Norwalk.

Please click here for more information.

All local property and business access maintained. Noise is monitored during construction operations. Construction activities and schedules are subject to change.
Public Hearing Schedule 
📅 A look at the schedule of public hearings. Please remember that you only need to register if you wish to provide testimony. If you want to observe the hearings, you can tune in to watch the proceedings live on the committee’s YouTube channel.
 
🌐 You can register to testify and find more detail on this week’s public hearings, including the bills that will be heard, in this week’s CGA Bulletin. Access the Bulletin here: cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABulletin/Bulletin.asp
My Legislative Survey
It is impossible to do my job as your state legislator without your input. That is why I am encouraging you to fill out my legislative survey. It is a quick and easy way to share your beliefs and priorities on bills and other policy initiatives. 

Click here to take this year's survey. 
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions and concerns you may have - I can be reached at Dominique.Johnson@cga.ct.gov, or through my office phone - 860-240-8585.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative
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