Weekly Meetings 2.24

February 28, 2022

The 2022 session is well underway. Although the House of Representatives does not convene every single day, there is still plenty of work that needs to be done behind the scenes and in committee with public hearings and committee meetings. 

Just like in the off session, I spend most of my waking hours advocating for the people of Ellington and East Windsor. I am spending nearly 60 hours a week in public hearings alone so you may see some delay in response time. Below is a list of the events I attended during this week and introductions to this session's interns!

Meet the Interns 

This legislative session, I have two interns. They both have been immensely helpful, and I am grateful to have them on my team. Read below to learn more about Katherine and Claire.

Name: Katherine O'Connell  
School: University of Connecticut 
Major: Nutritional Sciences

"I am grateful for this internship opportunity through CGA and am excited to work with Representative Foster and gain hands-on experience in the promotion of public health and nutrition."
Name: Claire Lee
School: University of Connecticut
Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Political Science 

"Interning for the CGA is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will allow me to delve into the state's policymaking processes and explore my interests throughout this program, under the mentorship o Representative Foster."

 

Public Hearings

Public Health

I represented the 57th district with compassion and empathy for those advocating for and against medical aid in dying on Wednesday. 
 
Reflecting on last year’s difficult public hearing, I feel grief with those who fear and support this bill just 35 minutes into Wednesday's meeting. I send all my love to everyone ailing and supporting loved ones who are suffering.
 
Check out this article to learn more. 
Energy and Technology 
 
I spent the whole day yesterday with the Energy and Technology committee. I learned of this interesting resource I am passing onto municipalities! Click here for more information. 
 
I learn something new every time I speak to PURA Chair Marissa Gillette. I worked in advocacy for local solar businesses with much education from constituent, Tim Schneider from Earthlight Technologies. 
 
This meeting was remote and my daughter was the last member of the public to join us - for the last 5 minutes, she  waved to the committee members. 
Children's 
I sat with my colleagues on the children’s committee in Tuesday's public hearing. 

We listened to testimony on SB123 which protects the identity of certain people on the SOTS list. Although sad, and scary, it was informative to hear the testimony from a previous mentor Lucy Nolan on the work of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence.
 
If you are a victim of violence, there are resources to help. Text 1-888-999-5545 or click the link below to chat or text with an advocate.

Click here to learn more. 
On Friday, I attended 3 committee meetings that were running concurrently - Planning and Development, Environment, and the Public Health - Children's joint hearing.

This is a very common challenge that I've learned skills to balance in the past year. I am often double booked but being active in 3 hearings was a busy start. Luckily, I am able to follow all meetings with staff support to monitor one or the other, often re-watching missed portions on double time speed in the afterhours.
Planning and Development 

On Friday, I testified in favor of what we're calling the Bowsza bill. This bill, the brainchild of First Selectman Jason Bowsza that I advocated for this year, would allow towns with a town meeting form of government to offer competitive fixed tax assessments or abatements to recruit a tax base in the form of new businesses and development in their community.
 
Towns have three ways to control their municipal budgets and services they can reduce services, increase taxes or grow the grand list. A town like East Windsor can grow the grand less more competitively with the passage of House Bill 5166.
Children's and Public Health 

The Children's and Public Health committee held a joint public hearing on the children's mental health bill.  There are 258 speakers on the agenda. If you have a story to share, please reach out: Jaime.Foster@cga.ct.gov

This agenda has live links to the bills and under each bill's header page you can find the testimony. Click here to learn more. 
Environment 

Finally, I testified in front of the Environment committee against SB 115, which would negatively impact local businesses and eventually perhaps the cost of town trash/recycling services.
Special Town Meeting on Proposed Projects in the Town of Ellington (2/22)
CT Department of Transportation Public Information Session
The Connecticut Department of Transportation hosted a public information session on February 23, at 7 PM, providing information on their interim capital plan and receiving public feedback.
Reporting Standards for Daycare Centers
On Tuesday, I was joined by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood to discuss reporting standards for daycare centers. Click here to learn more. 

 

Here are some things I am always working on to benefit the district: 
  • Worked on citations for several constituents
  • Email and phone calls to follow up on local issues
  • Keep in touch with municipal CEOs to collaborate!
  • Sharing funding announcements with local orgs who might not see things I get
  • Stay in touch with local PDs
    Stay in touch with local school admin
  • Meeting with constituents about local issues and asks
  • Planning / organizing outreach events and office hours to keep open and transparent office
 
Other Events  

Happy National Engineers Week

Happy National Engineers Week to my favorite engineer and likely future engineer!
Connecticut Children’s Announcement (2/22)
Connecticut Children’s posted an announcement regarding the FDA’s recent widespread recall of “powdered” formulas such as Similac, Alimentum and Elecare.

Click here to read about the 6 things you need to know about this recall.
 
East Windsor Police Union Fundraiser (2/22)
The East Windsor Police Union is hosting a fundraiser, where 100% of the donations will be allocated directly to the Police Union. Residents and businesses will be receiving the following letter in the mail.
 
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the fundraiser, the Police Union President Corporal Byron Smith can be reached at 860-292-8240 ext 1234.
 
 
Make your voice heard at a public hearing!

It’s crucial that we hear from our constituents and in addition to sending us emails individually, you can also sign up to testify at a Public Hearing by Zoom or by phone (hopefully in person soon!). If you miss an opportunity to testify at the hearing, you can also submit testimony by email to the committee of cognizance (i.e. the committee that hosted the public hearing).

Click here to access the bulletin. The deadline to register is always 3 p.m. the day before the hearing. To sign up to testify, this must be done by 3:00 on the day before a public hearing.
 

Upcoming Events
Referendum on Windermere Elementary School Renovation Projects 

On March 1, the town of Ellington is holding a referendum vote to decide whether to spend $61 million to renovate and improve Windermere Elementary School. If you are unfamiliar with the proposed project,  or need a quick refresher, click here.

I will be voting "yes"  next Tuesday.  Windermere Elementary is in dire need of updating and repair. In its current state, the cost of maintenance is becoming a financial burden. Investing in renovation and expansion makes more economic sense in the short and long term.  
 
Additionally, I have incredible trust in the team that has been assembled to  steward this project through its next steps.  I have been closely following the communications and planning process. 

The resumes of these members really speak for themselves - these individuals have credible experience in professional work and have worked in service to the town of Ellington. Shout out to Peter, Gary, Tom, Jim and Tim Webb all of whom have been incredible sources of information for me on other rep related issues.

If you have any questions about the issue, or are on the fence and need additional information, please reach out to my office. 
2022 Lieutenant Governor’s Computing Challenge

The LT. Governor's Office is holding a computing challenge. This competition is open to all students in grades 3-12 living in Connecticut.
Free Estate Planning Informational Session at HML

Hall Memorial Library will be hosting a free estate planning informational session on Mon. March 7 at 6:30 pm. Check out the flier below!