Rachel Khanna

A recent article in the Hartford Business Journal noted that Connecticut has added roughly 47,000 jobs over the last two years. This is positive proof that Connecticut’s economy is strong and our adherence to fiscal guardrails is attracting businesses to the state.

But we need to continue to focus on workforce development programs. There are a few pieces of legislation that I support that will make it easier and more affordable for people to obtain professional licenses or facilitate access to workforce development programs, specifically:

• SB 135: I am co-sponsoring a bill that would set a $100 cap on licensing fees per year. CT’s licensing fees are higher than those of other states. With about a quarter of CT’s workers requiring a license, this bill will significantly reduce the cost of doing business for workers, ranging from social workers to general contractors.

• SB 108: This bill would require the state to study the transportation barriers to workforce development programs. Bus routes that start too late to make it to work on time, or that require a mile or longer walk to the job site, limit the available worker pool. Furthermore, changes in bus routes can make jobs no longer tenable for workers. Transportation plays a key part in training, hiring and retaining workers and with nearly 100,000 job vacancies in the state, employers have repeatedly cited transportation barriers as an obstacle to filling those vacancies. 

Thanks to our work in the last session, early voting is here. Later this month, voters in Connecticut will take to the polls to vote in the 2024 presidential primary and for the first time, you will be able to vote in person, in advance.

I anticipate that you may have questions about this new process, so I hope the guide below will be helpful in providing information to answer them.

When is early voting?

• For the April 2 presidential preference primary election, early voting will take place from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on March 26, 27, 28, and 30. Due to Good Friday and Easter, there will be no early voting Friday, March 29, or Sunday, March 31.
• Early voting for the August 13 primary elections will take place between August 5 and August 11.
• Early voting for the November 5 general election will take place between October 21 and November 3.

Is my early voting location the same as my regular voting location? 

• Not necessarily. Each town will have at least one early voting location, and municipalities with a population of 20,000 or more will have the opportunity to add additional locations. You can find your early voting location on your municipality's website, at MyVote.ct.gov, or by calling 860-509-6200.

Are there deadlines to be aware of?

• Monday, March 25 at noon is the deadline to register with a political party to vote in the early voting period for the presidential preference primary.
• Monday, April 1 at noon is the deadline for registering in person with your registrar of voters or town clerk to vote on April 2, and for unaffiliated voters to enroll in a party for in-person voting.

If you are not yet registered to vote, file your registration application with your town's registrar of voters by noon on the business day before the day you want to vote, or click here to register.

Voting is one of our country's most fundamental privileges. Exercising your right to vote is crucial in shaping the future. Let’s amplify the impact of our collective voice – start voting early!

If you'd like to learn more about early voting, please join the Secretary of the State, Stephanie Thomas, Representative Matt Blumenthal, my colleagues and me for a Voter Education Forum on March 19th at 7 p.m. in the Cone Room of Greenwich Town Hall. And, of course, I'm available to answer questions on this or any other topic of concern.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is hosting a virtual public information meeting on the Cos Cob Railroad Bridge Project that is free and open to the public.

This will be a great opportunity for everyone to learn about the project and its effects or to ask any important questions you might have. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and registration is required.

Register or watch the YouTube Livestream.

The Greenwich Department of Human Services Fund provides camp scholarships for Greenwich children. This year, the Fund is facing a shortfall in funding, which means 60 children miss out on summer camp unless we act now! Your donation, big or small, helps ensure these children experience the joys of camp!

Donate HERE.