Session Updates, One Book One Town, and more

February 23, 2024


 
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Happy Friday! This week, legislators have been hard at work on our individual committees. In this eblast, you can read about my work at the Capitol, Fairfield's One Book One Town event, and more. You can click on the links below to navigate between sections.
 
This Week at the Capitol
It has been another busy week at the Capitol. In the Human Services Committee, we voted to raise concepts on the following concepts:
  • Addressing wait times for Medicaid approvals for nursing homes
  • HUSKY eligibility for all children regardless of income
  • Medicaid coverage for room and board costs for in-patient substance abuse treatment
  • A pilot program to address benefit cliffs
We were also lucky enough to be visited by Scott Jarzombek, the Fairfield Public Library's town librarian and the Vice President (and President-elect) of the CT Library Association, who shared his testimony in strong support of reforming the contracting and fees for digital books and audio books. Scott also spoke to the importance of libraries as the first line of defense against loneliness. It’s so true and maybe never been more important to continue to do all we can to combat loneliness. Thank you for your service to our community and state, Scott!
In addition, this week I:
  • Worked on language to address fixes to racial imbalance, improving our school lockdown drills that didn't pass last year, indoor air quality in schools, and licensing clinical lactation consultants
  • Met with teachers to hear their priorities and concerns
  • Attended Fairfield's newly formed Art Commission meeting

Like I said, it has been a busy week! But each committee meeting I attend, each constituent I meet with, and each expert I hear from helps me with the work I do for you at the Capitol. Throughout our session, please continue to bring me your thoughts, ideas and participation!
 
Next Week at the Capitol
Are you interested in testifying in front of the legislature at a public hearing? Next week, there will be 17 public hearings from committees ranging from Transportation, to Education, to Housing, and more, and now is your chance to have your voice heard!

If you're interested in testifying, sign up here.
 
Black History in Connecticut - Recognizing Juneteenth as a State Holiday
Each week, in honor of Black History Month, I want to bring light to one of the many inspiring stories of Black history in Connecticut.

This week I want to honor the legislature's 2022 passage of SB 350, which recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday.

On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger delivered the message to Black Americans in Texas that they were freed from the shackles of slavery, marking the end of this shameful chapter of American history and creating the holiday we know as Juneteenth to honor the anniversary of freedom.

One hundred and fifty seven years later, the state legislature formally recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday, giving residents the chance to reflect on the progress we've made and how far we have to go.

The day the bill was passed was one of the most emotional and moving our legislature has seen in many years, and I encourage you to watch the discussion here (the timestamp is about 1:01 - 2:48:45).
If you want to learn more about Black History, I highly encourage you to take a look at the National Park Service's 28 Days of Black History. Each day the agency provides information about Black history that is preserved in national parks or through National Park Service programs.

Today's topic is the Black community in Boston, where there were many leaders in the fight against slavery and racial injustice in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The agency provides incredible insight into people and topics that are under-discussed, and I hope you'll check out this amazing project.
 
One Book One Town and Follow-Up Discussion
Registration is now open for Fairfield's One Book One Town event! The event will take place Tuesday, March 5 at 7pm at the Fairfield University Quick Center for the Arts (1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield 06824).

Every year, a committee of members from the Fairfield community gather to select a book they think everyone in the city should read simultaneously, and then we invite the author to discuss that book with us.

This year's selection is Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley.
As a follow-up to this great event, the Fairfield Museum and History Center will host a panel discussion with local Indigenous communities Saturday, March 9 from 2:30-4pm at the library's Rotary Room.

The panel discussion will feature tribal citizens from four Indigenous Indian Tribes in Connecticut: the Schaghticoke, the Paucatuck Eastern Pequot, the Mashantucket Pequot, and the Golden Hill Paugussett.

Panelists will discuss topics from "Warrior Girl Unearthed" and discuss their own life experiences, along with a Q&A. The One Book One Town event is already a wonderful event, and with this follow-up discussion, it will be something truly special. I hope you'll check it out.
 
Open Play at the Victorian Cottage
Exciting news! The Fairfield Museum and History Center announced their spring hours for the Victorian Cottage - the museum's early childhood education space designed for kids to create, explore, and play. The cottage will be open Tuesdays from 10am-12pm starting March 5 through June 11.
 
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for updates as we get closer. https://bit.ly/3T8gUOW
 
I'm committed to ensuring your voice is heard. Please don't hesitate to call my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me if there's anything I can do for you. Be sure to follow @LeeperForFairfield on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative
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