Public Health Week, Oral Health and World Parkinson’s Disease Awareness

April 11, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday!

In this week's eblast, you can read about lowering your utility costs, the newly-launched AI Caucus, and more. You can click on the links below to navigate between sections.
 
Lowering Your Utility Costs

People who live in Connecticut currently pay the second-highest electricity prices in the country, placing an undue financial strain on families, businesses, and communities. Our goal in the legislature is to implement policies that lower prices and enhance transparency that would benefit all ratepayers.

There are two important pieces of legislation, House Bill 1531 and House Bill 7206aimed at tackling the rising cost of utility bills while ensuring greater accountability for public utilities.  Both bills passed out of the Government Administration and Elections Committee and now move to the House and Senate floors for further consideration.
 
These proposals are designed to:

  • Increase public-utility transparency by making them subject to the Freedom of Information Act for the regulated parts of their business
  • Reduce monopoly power and consolidation by preventing utility companies from owning both gas and electric utilities
  • Strengthen oversight to ensure our utilities are acting in the best interest of consumers and not incurring unnecessary costs
  • Ensuring utility capital projects are properly vetted to ensure they are necessary, the least costly, the best alternative, and best serve our future energy needs

These measures give the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Connecticut Siting Council more tools to better regulate utility companies and reduce our energy costs.

Strengthening these regulatory bodies is a crucial step toward protecting consumers from excessive costs and fostering a more fair and sustainable energy system for households and businesses across the state.

Through legislative action and public engagement, we are committed to ensuring a more affordable and equitable energy future for everyone.

Below is a breakdown of your electric bill. 

Senior Scams, and How You can Save on Prescription Drugs Event

A reminder to please join me, our state Attorney General William Tong, and our Comptroller Sean Scanlon for an event on senior scams and how you can save on prescription drugs happening Wednesday, May 7 at 10am at the Plainville Senior Center (200 East St, Plainville).

This event will discuss information for elders, caregivers, and family members, how to prevent fraud and protect your rights, the ArrayRx prescription drug discount program, and more. I hope to see you there!

You can read more about the event and register to attend here.
 
Launch of the Artificial Intelligence Caucus

As I shared a few weeks ago, I'm so proud that I am now serving as a member on the newly-formed Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus.

Our goal is to ensure that AI serves the public good and does not become a tool for harm. The AI Caucus will work with our advocates to facilitate innovation and prevent discrimination in AI. We believe that these systems should operate with transparency and accountability.

This caucus was formed at a critical time. AI technology is here and is already playing a role in high risk decision making. Connecticut has the opportunity to lead in establishing fair, strong, and commonsense AI regulations. I am honored to work alongside dedicated colleagues, who all want to work towards a future with fair and ethical AI systems. 

Last week, the AI Caucus held a press conference to outline our legislative priorities for the ongoing 2025 session. We are urging for the passage of Senate Bill 2, An Act Concerning Artificial Intelligence. Senate Bill 2 calls for:

  1. Transparency and accountability;
  2. Training Connecticut's workforce to use artificial intelligence;
  3. Criminalization of non-consensual intimate images.

I am excited to get to work with our caucus and discuss the best ways to protect our residents from the potential harms of AI with my colleagues. Senate Bill 2 will establish groundbreaking AI regulations and pave the way for ethical AI development and education. Let's get to work!

 
Real ID Deadline: May 17

Time is running out to get your REAL ID!

Beginning May 7, you will need a REAL ID, U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card to board domestic flights or access certain federal facilities (such as nuclear power plants, military bases and other federal buildings).

What is a REAL ID?
A REAL ID is a state-issued ID that meets minimum security standards to access federal facilities and board domestic flights. The program was implemented following a 9/11 commission recommendation on making air travel and federal facilities more secure.

How do I get a REAL ID? 
You must visit a DMV site in-person to get a REAL ID.  Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for a verified license or REAL ID card. Customers with a drive-only license aren’t eligible for a REAL ID license. Check the CT information portal for more information.

In Connecticut, you'll need:

  • a U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate
  • a Social Security card; and two pieces of mail from two different sources dated within 90 days to prove that you live in Connecticut
  • For all new applications for a driver's license, as well as out-of-state transfers to Connecticut licenses, you will automatically be issued a REAL ID

How do I know if I already have a REAL ID?
Check your driver's license or ID to see if it has a gold star in the upper right corner, like the above graphic. If you do, then you have a verified REAL ID.

For more information, visit the following:

Department of Homeland Security
CT Department of Motor Vehicles

 
UConn Women Victory Parade

Congratulations to the UConn Women's basketball team on winning its 12th national title on Sunday!

You can be part of a victory parade and rally in downtown Hartford on Sunday, April 13.  The parade will step off at the State Capitol building at 1:00 P.M. at the intersection of Trinity Street and Elm Street and will end at the intersection of Asylum Street and Trumbull Street.

The rally will begin at approximately 1:30 P.M. and will be held outside of the main entrance of the XL Center on Trumbull Street. 
 
Plainville Events
Spring Clothing Drive
The Congregational Church of Plainville (130 W Main St., Plainville)
April 19, 9am-2pm
Read more here 
Plainville Family Fest
69 Linden St, Plainville
May 17, 10:30am-3:30pm
Read more here 
 
Farmington Events



The No Book Book Club
Barney Library (71 Main St., Farmington)
April 17, 2:30-3:30pm
Read more here
Spring Celebration
Farmington Polo Club (152 Town Farm Rd., Farmington)
April 12, 10am-1pm
Read more here 
 
Southington Events
Touch-a-Truck
Southington Drive-In (995 Meriden-Waterbury Tpke., Southington)
May 17, 10am-2pm
Read more here









Music on the Green
Southington Town Green (Rt. 10/Main St., Southington)
May 28 - September 3, 7-9pm
Read more here 
 

Sincerely,

Rebecca Martinez
State Representative

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