Weekly Updates from Aimee

June 4, 2021

We are quickly approaching the end  of the 2021 legislative session. Other than Monday, which we had off for Memorial Day, the House was in session every day this week. We will also be in session on Saturday, as well as next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Wednesday, June 9, is the last day of session. Per the Connecticut Constitution, the House must adjourn precisely at 11:59 pm. My colleagues and I are working tirelessly to push for legislation that will help all Connecticut residents.

Bills I Am Proud to Support

I wanted to take a moment to highlight a couple of bills that were passed out of the House this week. SB 999 invests in the in-state clean technology  workforce. It will create continuity standards across the renewable energy industry resulting in several good paying jobs for Connecticut residents. This bill illustrates Connecticut's commitment to supporting clean energy and creating new jobs.

During yesterday's session, the House also passed SB 1037, more commonly known as the "Bottle Bill". Although this bill was not perfect, I did vote in the affirmative.
 
The state's initial bill was enacted in 1978 and was, at the time, one of the most progressive anti-litter laws. The program worked extremely well in its early years, but has since become outdated, with bottle return rates falling below 50%.
 
While this bill was being discussed in the Environment committee, I visited locally owned and operated package stores in our community to get their insight. I wanted to understand if they could manage on-site redemption. The answer was a resounding no, so I went back to committee to push for changes that would take that responsibility away from these small businesses.
 
I am proud to support this legislation thanks to a common-sense modernization of the bottle deposit program that will go a long way towards cleaning up our communities, reducing waste, and providing residents of towns and cities across Connecticut with greater access to, and funding for redemption facilities.

Other Bills Passed in Session

SB 1, AN ACT EQUALIZING COMPREHENSIVE ACCESS TO MENTAL, BEHAVIORAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC.

  • This bill declares that racism in Connecticut is a public health crisis
  • SB 1 has several provisions that aim to address and correct health care disparities in communities of color. 

SB 2,  AN ACT CONCERNING SOCIAL EQUITY AND THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN.

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on everyone, but our students have had a particularly difficult time. This bill updates and improves services in order to ensure our children have a smooth transition as we try to return to normal

SB 975, AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE BILL OF RIGHTS FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY RESIDENTS

  • This bill strengthens the nursing home patients' bill of rights so residents may treat their living space as their home, protecting their rights to privacy, health, and safety.
  • Every resident deserves the safety and security of a home-like environment, and SB 975 ensures that nursing home patients will have those protections. 

SB 891AN ACT CONCERNING THE EZEQUIEL SANTIAGO FORECLOSURE MEDIATION PROGRAM AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO FORECLOSURE.

  • Foreclosure Mediation Program has helped Connecticut residents who have fallen on hard times stay in their homes. This bill extends the program until 2029
June is Pride Month
Happy Pride! Every June, we come together to celebrate, honor, and support for the LBGTQ+ community and its allies. Although a great amount of progress has been made, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. Love is Love.