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I hope this email finds you in good spirits and ready for a long weekend!
It has been a while since I've sent out an email update, so I hope you'll take the time to look through all of the important information below.
The 2024 legislative session began last week, and though we are in the early stages, work is well underway.
I am currently serving as acting Chair of the Housing Committee, and it has been an honor to work with my colleagues on crafting legislation that provides opportunities for first-time homebuyers, helps meet our state's critical housing needs, and is fair to both tenants and landlords.
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The rest of this email has more updates on the legislative session, events in the district, and more. Below are some helpful links to click on to jump between sections.
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| This week we approved $17 million in additional cold weather heating assistance funds – many residents and families who receive assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or Operation Fuel will have access to funds to ensure they can heat their homes through the cold weather season. |
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| As your State Representative, it is my responsibility to stand up for my constituents. This funding ensures that none of our neighbors must choose between paying their bills or freezing.
I am committed to enhancing the safety and quality of life for all residents, and I will continue to do so throughout this legislative session. |
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As the legislative session is now in full swing, I wanted to remind you about resources you can use to stay involved. The resources below will help you stay updated on crucial developments, events, proposed policies, and key discussions as they happen in Hartford.
Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:
- Visit this website for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.
- The non-partisan Office of Legislative Research (OLR) recently released the 2024 Major Issues Report. This comprehensive document highlights and summarizes key issues the legislature could take up during the upcoming session.
- You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website.
- Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, as well as House and Senate floor debates.
- You can register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change in the bill's progress.
Together, we can make a positive impact and ensure that our community's needs are represented.
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| On Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7pm, the Connecticut Department of Transportation is conducting a virtual public information meeting about the rehabilitation of the Bissell Bridge carrying I-291 over the Connecticut River between South Windsor and Windsor.
Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2026 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way, and approval of permit(s). The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $29.75 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 90% federal funds and 10% state funds.
Residents will have the opportunity to make their voices heard and offer questions or comments to DOT officials.
For instructions on accessing the meeting and ways to provide comments and ask questions, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DOTWindsorSouthWindsor164-245.
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| And on Thursday, Feb. 29 from 5-7pm, I will be joined by representatives for the Connecticut Department of Transportation for a public information hearing on the Greater Hartford Mobility Study at the Parker Memorial Community Center. I hope you'll join me for this important conversation! |
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| Feb. 17, 11am-2pm - Women in Science: Optics MatterLink
Location: Connecticut Science Center (250 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103, USA)
Join representatives from Zygo Corp for this Women in Science Saturday program where participants will explore how a beam of light travels through various optic lenses. The Connecticut Science Center’s Women in Science initiative encourages girls and young women to pursue studies and career paths in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and celebrates the achievements of women in the sciences.
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| Feb. 17, 11am-5pm - Back to Black Small Business Market
Location: Parkville Market (Parkville Market, Park Street, Hartford, CT)
Shop till you drop at Parkville’s second annual Back to Black Small Business Market. Support a variety of black-owned and operated small businesses’ pop-up shops selling everything from jewelry and accessories to entertainment, clothing, and other apparel. Make sure to grab lunch and a beverage while you are there. |
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| Feb. 19, 5:30pm - City of Hartford Operations, Management, Budget & Government Accountability Meeting
Location: Hartford City Hall (550 Main Street, Hartford, CT)
The City of Hartford Operations, Management, Budget & Government Accountability meetings are held the 3rd Monday of the month at 5:30pm. |
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| Feb. 22, noon-1pm - Symbols of Strength: A Look Inside CT's Battle Flag Collection
Connecticut State Capitol (210 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT)
Calling all history enthusiasts, Civil War buffs, lovers of flags, and curious learners: Come learn about the Connecticut State Capitol’s collection of around 160 historical battle flags with Matthew Vallier, the Historical Flag Preservationist for the Connecticut State Capitol. |
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| Feb. 24, 1pm - Lunar New Year Festivities
Location: Parkville Market (Parkville Market, Park Street, Hartford, CT)
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at Parkville Market’s 2nd annual Lunar New Year Celebration with Hartford’s Phoenix Performing Arts Center. Enjoy this informative presentation through dance, live instruments, and colorful costumes, as well as delicious food and drinks from Parkville’s splendid assortment of vendors. |
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| Feb. 25, 1pm-5pm - February Thinking and Doing Day: The Revolution is in the Pause
Location: Harriet Beecher Stowe Center (77 Forest Street, Hartford, CT)
Join Kamora’s Cultural Corner for February’s Thinking and Doing Day at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center. This month’s event, The Revolution is in the Pause: Contemplating (Our) Stories is all about taking a moment to reflect on personal narratives. Plan to explore, share, and relate to others as you venture into your own story and how it’s made you YOU. |
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| Feb. 22-25 (various times) - CT Flower Garden Show
Location: Connecticut Convention Center (100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT)
The Connecticut Flower & Garden Show is the best place to pretend it’s spring instead of the middle of winter in New England. Three acres of landscape exhibits are in full bloom, each ranging from 300 – 2,000 square feet. It’s incredible. The exhibitor list is dizzying. Here’s the tiniest portion of stuff you’ll get to see there: water gardens, exterior lighting, fine art, pools, sunrooms, garden fencing, floral clothing, invisible deer fence, wheelbarrows, birdhouses, terrariums, bonsai, bamboo, garden hats, teak furniture, statuary (cross your fingers for gnomes)… the list goes on and on and on and on. Plus, there are 80 hours of seminars on topics ranging from floral arrangements to “When Good Worms Go Bad.” |
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| Feb. 28, 6pm-7pm - Salons at Stowe: Agents of Their Own Emancipation
Location: Harriet Beecher Stowe Center (77 Forest Street, Hartford, CT)
Salons at Stowe presents Ximena Abello Hurtado as a guest speaker for Âgents of Their Own Emancipation: Enslaved Women’s Letters to Colonial Governments. Abello Hurtado is an Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Mount Holyoke College whose research has taken her to archives in New Granada. There, she found letters written by enslaved Black women to the Spanish viceroyalty advocating for their freedom. Through these letters, Abello Hurtado explores how women were active agents of their own emancipation, despite numerous barriers of race, class, and limited literacy. Abello Hurtado shares their stories using their own words to explore the world in which these courageous women lived. |
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| Feb. 20, 6:30/7pm start - Windsor Junior Women's Club
Location: Jim's Pizza (124 Poquonock Ave, Windsor, CT)
Join the Windsor Junior Women's Club, a local non-profit organization of dynamic women over the age of 18, working together to support and improve the Windsor community by organizing fundraisers and social events. Their general meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:30 PM to 8:30m PM. For more information and the location of our meetings, please call Rachel at 860-899-5994, email rachboutus@gmail.com or visit windsorjuniors.com. |
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| Feb. 24, 7p - Fancy Meeting You Here... Journey Writers Tell the Whole Story: Queer Black History
Location: Windsor Art Center (40 Mechanic Street, Windsor, CT)
“Fancy Meeting You Here” is a satirical look at Christianity and homophobia during an imagined tribunal of a minister seeking entry through the pearly gates. The dramatic reading will conclude with a panel discussion and a talkback. |
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| March 1, 10:30-11:30am - Groceries to Go
Location: Wilson Community Center
Supplementary food items and educational materials to clients 60 and older every other Friday from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the L.P. Wilson Community Center. |
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| March 23, 8-11am - NWP Pancake Breakfast
Location: Northwest Park |
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| Feb. 17, 8-9pm - Home is Where the Heart Is
Location: ONLINE
Join for a heartwarming online event, Home is where the Heart IS, where we celebrate Black History & learn how to obtain Homeownership! |
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| March 11, 5:30am - Social Justice & Racial Equity Commission
Location: Madden Room (1540 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT) |
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| Celebrating Black History in Connecticut |
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| In honor of Black History Month, I want to bring you a few stories about Black history in Connecticut.
This week's focus is the 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry Regiment. The infantry regiment served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and is credited as being the first infantry to enter Richmond, VA when the city surrendered in the Siege of Petersburg.
In a time of immense peril and division in our country, the trailblazing 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry Regiment took a stand and fought for freedom, emancipation, and justice for all. |
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| If you have any issues, concerns, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at 860-240-8585 if you ever need anything or by email at maryam.khan@cga.ct.gov.
Sincerely,
Maryam Khan |
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