Friday Roundup, Artwalk
We’ve been busy!
Committees: Environment, Judiciary, and Appropriations, on which I serve, have all met their deadlines, and public hearings were really well attended. The Zoom format gave immediacy and power to your testimony.
I am hopeful about the Appropriations budget, which for New Haven means substantial new dollars for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). But the Governor has stated that he objects to the tax package, so negotiations continue.
I’m working on many issues and am focusing, in this note, on expanding voting access and voting representation, which many of you wrote to me about.
Legislation: Status update on some I co sponsored.
Revising absentee voting statutes
On district representation, great news! Sen Martin Looney and Speaker Matt Ritter announced their support for SB 753, which would count incarcerated persons as residents of their last town of residence rather than as residents of the town in which the correctional facility is located. I have worked on this for many years. The support of the two top leaders increases the chance that the bill will be voted on, giving New Haven fairer representation in redistricting.
Finally, fun! Artwalk kicks off May 4. Here’s a link to the schedule.