Dominique Johnson

Dear Neighbor,
 
Happy Friday! The House of Representatives was in session on Tuesday. In addition to confirming judicial appointees, we voted to improve survivor benefits for the families of state employees killed in the line of duty.

This legislation was inspired by the tragic line-of-duty deaths last year of two Connecticut state employees, including a trooper from the Connecticut State Police and an employee from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Because of their ages and years of service, neither of those state employees were eligible to receive pensions at the time of their deaths. The change ratified by the legislature today means that both surviving families in those instances will begin receiving survivor benefits, based on their individual eligibility circumstances.
 
Additionally, this change will apply to all future situations in which a state employee who was not eligible to receive a pension is killed in the line of duty.

Alicia Sullivan from Save the Sound and Scott Redrern from the Henry L. And Grace Doherty Climate and Resilience Institute will both discuss their journey through Long Island Sound's vast ecosystem restoration efforts. 

They will also examine  the threats to our waterways, shores, stormwater runoff and backyard "mini-ecosystems" in ponds, streams, marshes, etc.

Click here to learn more.

The goal of the Civic Influencer Program is to:

1. To advocate for equity-focused policies and practices within our schools, the school district, and in broader local and state government efforts;
2. To increase civic engagement and expand civic engagement efforts within partner member organizations;
3. To connect members of our community to each other and to the broader community;
4. To break down barriers for more community members, especially those who identify with historically marginalized identities, to inform public policy; and,
5. To ensure that the state and Norwalk’s local government represents the communities they serve in identity and action.

Applications are due February 7. Check out the flyer for more information.