Priorities for the Upcoming Session

January 25, 2024
The next legislative session kicks off on February 7 and workforce development remains a priority for me. The expense and shortage of early childhood education and care programs prevents many from being able to join or re-join the workforce. This was a key takeaway from a Greenwich United Way Legislative Forum on January 11.

According to a recent Blue Ribbon Panel report on Early Childhood Education, Connecticut is home to 181,607 children under the age of five, and investing in our youngest residents brings a 7-13% return on investment. Yet, our current system is plagued by chronic under-funding and high staff turnover.

We need to:

  • Expand investments in early childhood education because doing so ensures that children enter Kindergarten better prepared to learn. 
  • Recruit and retain people to work in Early Childhood Education, and also provide opportunities for career mobility.

You can find a recording of the United Way breakfast HERE. 
Women's Business Development Council
I was so pleased to participate in a round-table discussion with the Women’s Business Development Council and women entrepreneurs. According to the CT Department of Economic and Community Development, in the past 20 years, CT-based women-owned businesses have grown by 56%, contributing more than $16 billion a year to our gross state product. Women-owned businesses are a critical part of the state’s economic future. It was wonderful to hear from women-owned businesses about their needs and priorities.
 
CT League of Conservation Voters 2024 Environmental Summit
It was nice to see Governor Lamont and members of the Greenwich Sustainability Committee at the CT League of Conservation Voters 2024 Environmental Summit. I appreciated the discussion on important topics such as nature-based solutions to climate change, food waste prevention, and pesticides. I look forward to doing important work to address environmental concerns in the upcoming session.
School Meals
I was proud to stand with School Meals for All and fellow legislators on Wednesday to support funding to continue free breakfasts and free lunches for students who are eligible for reduced-price meals. There is food insecurity in all of our communities. For families who are food insecure, and the families who aren’t eligible for income-based assistance, a free meal can make a tremendous difference. Just as importantly, we need to remove the stigma for children who need meal assistance. School is hard enough without having to deal with the additional pressures of being hungry or asking for help.
Connecticut Launches New Portal for Jobseekers

Connecticut has launched its new jobs portal, jobs.ct.gov, which is aimed at assisting state residents — and those seeking to move here — in the process of finding a job. Jobs.ct.gov joins health.ct.gov and business.ct.gov as the next service category in Connecticut's ongoing journey toward an all-digital state government that streamlines and improves access to services and resources. Some of the resources available through jobs.ct.gov include:

  • Powerful job search tools
  • Job search tips and personal help
  • Free and low-cost training, certificate, and classroom programs
  • Resources to help employers hire, train, and retain employees

All of the resources are Connecticut-specific and focus on connecting job-seekers with a variety of employment and workforce development opportunities.

The strong and steady statewide economy continues to add jobs, but employers in some industries still face workforce shortages, and jobs.ct.gov will be a valuable resource to them.
Expanding CT's Network of Charging Stations
 
Internet Safety Training

Tweens and teens spend many hours per day online chatting and interacting with friends and people who they may not know well and who may put them at risk. To educate parents, teachers, and others, the US Attorney’s Office, District of Connecticut, in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families, is offering - FREE OF CHARGE - online Internet Safety Training.  
This training will introduce parents, teachers, and others to Internet and cell phone applications and video game systems being used by tweens/teens that could potentially put them at risk. Training will take place on Thursday, January 25th, from 6 – 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. 
The Zoom link can be accessed HERE. 
Screenagers: Under the Influence
Greenwich Together is offering a free opportunity to view Screenagers: Under the Influence. This film shows the impact and influence of the digital age on teens and their decisions around substances. It is informative and powerful.
Happenings at Mill River Park
Senior Healthcare Forum

Please join me and the Greenwich delegation for a Senior Health Forum with Comptroller Sean Scanlon to discuss Connecticut’s new prescription drug card program, ArrayRx, and Kathleen Holt from the Center for Medicare Advocacy, who will advise on navigating the tricky world of insurance and healthcare for seniors. The event will be held on Monday, February 12 at 11am at the Greenwich Library Black Box Theater.

24th Annual Stamford Legislative Breakfast