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| Dear Neighbor,
This legislative session is full steam ahead and continuing with many public hearings! To stay up-to-date on what hearings happen and what bills are being heard, be sure to check out the CGA Bulletin each day here. If you have any questions about certain issues you care about or a bill you've heard about on the news don't hesitate to reach out to me. |
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| Today, I testified with my West Hartford delegation colleagues during the legislature's Human Services Committee public hearing on SB 284. The bill would expand eligibility for our state's HUSKY program for 9 to 18 years old for all children, regardless of immigration status. Last year we were able to pass legislation for children ages 0 to 8 to be eligible for the program. HUSKY provides vital healthcare services including check-ups, dental care, health screenings, immunizations, and prescriptions. Under the proposal, about 13,000 children would be newly eligible for this program. Not only is it the right thing to do, but as taxpayers we pay more money in uncompensated care when children without health insurance eventually go to the emergency room. |
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Click photo to watch my testimony
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| On Wednesday, the legislature's Public Health Committee held a public hearing on a bill I proposed this session to offer free menstrual products in our state's public school restrooms, public universities, and our shelters. The proposal builds upon previously enacted legislation that offers free menstrual products to incarcerated individuals and works to eliminate period poverty in Connecticut. No one should have to choose between affording menstrual products and housing or food or education, but 1 in 4 menstruators must make that choice every month. I was pleased to highlight in my testimony the voice of one of our own Conard students, Chanel Thorpe. |
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This Friday, I'll be joining the Finance Committee's meeting for a briefing with the Department of Revenue Services on the Tax Incidence Report we required in law last year. The report is confirmation that our low and middle income residents pay three to four times the effective tax rate of the wealthiest in our state. You can watch the informational forum on CT-N here.
I'll be working this session - not just to advance tax relief for our working and middle class residents - but also to strengthen this tax incidence reporting to bring greater transparency to our tax laws. |
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| This session, I joined State Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw in proposing legislation to offer an income tax credit to certain Connecticut taxpayers who purchase an electric bike. Electric bikes are one more way we can reduce emissions and promote a more bike-friendly state. Tomorrow, March 11, the legislature's Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss this proposal and several others. The bill, SB 4, An Act Concerning the Connecticut Clean Air Act, works to reduce emissions by expanding use of electric vehicles in our state. The e-bike income tax credit has been included in this bill. I hope you'll join this hearing by signing up to testify or submitting testimony in support of SB4. |
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PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED ON SB 4
If you have a story that you would like to share with the committee, there will be a public hearing on SB 4 and several others on Friday, March 11 at 11 a.m. You can register to testify before the committee via Zoom using the On-line Testimony Registration Form. If you do not have internet access, you may provide testimony via telephone. To register to testify by phone, call the Phone Registrant Line at (860) 240-0590 to leave your contact information.
Registration closes on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 3:00 PM. You may also email written testimony in Word or PDF format to TRAtestimony@cga.ct.gov. |
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Connecticut and the nation have seen gas prices increase at an alarming rate during this time of global unrest and the effect of market volatility on commodity prices.
While price fluctuations are expected, there are some unscrupulous businesses that exploit these conditions to gouge consumers at the pump.
The practice of charging unconscionably high prices immediately before market disruptions that cannot be attributed to additional costs is illegal in our state.
If you believe a business is engaging in price gouging, you may file a report with the Office of the Attorney General online, HERE, or call 860-808-5318. |
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I hope you will join a Vigil for Ukraine scheduled for Sunday, March 13 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the West Hartford Town Hall to call for peace and stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
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| As always, if I can be of assistance to you and your family, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Kate.Farrar@cga.ct.gov. Follow @KateforCT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol!
Sincerely,
Kate Farrar
State Representative
she/her/hers |
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