Foster Weekly Meetings 3.3

March 14, 2022
The 2022 session is well underway. There is so much work to be done and because so much of it is out of view of the public, I thought I would include in my weekly e-blasts all the great things I am proud to work on.

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 over the past few weeks: 
 
Addressing Rising Gas Prices 
Today the Governor announced efforts announce lowering gas prices through a tax holiday. I have spent the last several weeks discussing these logistics with colleagues and staff to make this a possibility. Thanks to the many constituents whose advocacy on this issue was heard and relayed!
Conversation with Tolland County Chamber of Commerce President 
Last week, I met with the Tolland County Chamber of Commerce and CT Builders Association President Eric Santini (an Ellington resident!). We were joined by of Ellington Selectman Lori Spielman, Selectman Dave Stavens, and other local leaders from Tolland County. I participated in a panel with my esteemed colleagues Senator Dan Champagne, State Representative Tammy Nuccio and State Representative Tim Ackert. So much of the work I do is not just bipartisan, not non-partisan.
Directly after my conversation with Eric Santini , I attended a call with regional legislators on well contamination and the IIJA/BIL money. Accompanying me were Commissioner Boughton and a representative from U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney’s office, State Representatives Tammy Nuccio and Tim Ackert, as well as state Senator Dan Champagne. 

We have formed a strong coalition with our allies Senator Saud Anwar and State Representative Pat Boyd, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, and our local health department!
Public Hearings / Committee Meetings

In addition to standard committee meetings, public hearings were held on the following days. If you are interested in watching the public hearing in its entirety, click the corresponding hyperlink.

  • Children's - March 8, 10
  • Public Health - March 7, 9, 11
  • Energy and Technology - March 8 
Children's & Public Health Joint

In the last few weeks I have heard in public hearings from many in our district and community. In this joint hearing on kids' mental health I heard from teachers union leadership, social workers, school psychologists and more. I also heard from the YMCA, who is requesting Social Workers to be assigned to the RESCs for summer camp support. Kids mental health is a priority for everyone in Hartford and I am proud to support these efforts.

E and T Public Hearing 

LLast Thursday, the Environment and Technology Committee held a public hearing for  H.B. 5201, An Act Concerning Public Health Concerns in The Acquisition of Water Companies more work similar is in this bill we had a public hearing on too, S.B. No. 276 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF WATER COMPANIES..
 
We heard from many who wanted expanded solar caps and saw and opportunity for change in S.B. No. 176 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING SHARED CLEAN ENERGY FACILITIES.

Click here to watch the complete hearing. 
Related to this work, separately, I attended a call with regional legislators on well contamination and the IIJA/BIL money. Accompanying me were Commissioner Boughton and a representative from U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney’s office, State Representatives Tammy Nuccio and Tim Ackert, as well as state Senator Dan Champagne. 

We have formed a strong coalition with our allies Senator Saud Anwar and State Representative Pat Boyd, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, and our local health department!

This week I also met with Marissa Gillett, the commissioner of PURA on water company work, clean energy programs, grid resilience and more!

Public Health 

On Friday, the Public Health Committee held an in-person meeting! I was proud to co-sponsor and move to JF HB 5045, An Act Reducing Lead Poisoning, to the House floor.

I know for so many in our community addressing the Opioid Pandemic is a pressing concern and tragedy that has impacted too many in our community. I am proud to support, H.B. No. 5044 An Act Implementing the Governor's Budget Recommendations Regarding the Use Of Opioid Litigation Proceeds & H.B. No. 5430 (RAISED) An Act Concerning Opioids.

We are addressing workforce shortages in the healthcare field with H.B. No. 5046, An Act Adopting the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, H.B. No. 5119 (Raised) An Act Permitting Pharmacists to Administer the Influenza Vaccine to Children Twelve Years of Age and Older, and H.B. No. 5395 (RAISED) An Act Concerning an Expedited Licensure Process for Certain Out-Of-State Health Care Providers and Mental Health Care Providers.

Some other bills include: 

  • Improving public safety with H.B. No. 5276 (RAISED), An Act Concerning the Disposal of Homegenerated Sharps.
  • Helping those with disabilities with H.B. No. 5277 (RAISED), An Act Concerning the Establishment Of Technical Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment that Promotes Accessibility in Health Care Facilities.
  • Working to improve breast cancer outcomes with S.B. No. 249 (RAISED), An Act Implementing the Recommendations of The Breast Health and Breast Cancer Awareness Working Group and advocating for a constituent requested bill with H.B. 5303, An Act Concerning Continuing Medical Education Requirements Concerning Endometriosis and Cultural Competency and the Creation of a Plan for an Endometriosis Data and Biorepository Program.
  • Preventing tobacco use and abuse with H.B. No. 5364 (RAISED) An Act Concerning the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund.

Another constituent requested bill, H.B. No. 5275 (RAISED), An Act Prohibiting Certain Health Carriers from Requiring Step Therapy for Prescription Drugs Used to Treat Mental Or Behavioral Health Conditions aims to improve access to doctor recommended treatments.

A bill that I did not co-sponsor but might add my name to is H.B. No. 5396 (RAISED) An Act Increasing Access to Mental Health Medication, there have been so many veterans and first responders advocating for these treatments for PTSD, depression and anxiety and I very much am looking forward to learning more and co-sponsoring.
Children’s Committee
 
In response to tragedy, the kids committee has raised. H.B. No. 5240 (RAISED) An Act Establishing A Task Force for The Protection of Youth and Intramural And Interscholastic Athletes.

Also working on addressing opioid concerns, H.B. No. 5244 (RAISED) An Act Concerning the Provision of Opioid Antagonists in Schools.

The children’s committee does a lot of youth risk prevention and protection work, the work is heavy and often upsetting. If you would like to learn more about this important work, you can click to see agendas here.
CSCH Panel
I served on a panel alongside Preston Britner, a UConn Professor of the HDFS Department, and Sally Mancini, from the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health.
National Read Across America Day - Reading at Windermere Elementary School
On National Read Across America Day, I read The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade, by Justin Roberts and illustrated by Christian Robinson, to Mrs. Collins’ class at Windermere Elementary School in honor of National Read Across America Day. 
 
I love this book about choosing kindness; even when you’re little or when it feels like you’re the only one.
Miscellaneous 
  • Miscellaneous 
  • The House was in Session on Wednesday, March 2. We made several executive and judicial appointments. You can see them on the House Calendar
  • Prior to the E + T public hearing, I met with I met with folks in the School Hill Water Association, CT Water Association and our district neighbor Rep. Nuccio
  • Advocated for folks who are temporarily laid off from seasonal work (construction and paving) deal with issues related to the Department of Labor
  • Met with Human Services Committee Chair Cathy Abercrombie, testified before Committee in favor of the Food As Medicine State Plan
  • Guest Speaker at the CT Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Legislator Briefing 
  • Met with CT DMHAS Commissioner to discuss opioid abuse and ways of addressing that issue - advocated for more local resources particularly Narcan for east Windsor PD
 
Here are some things I am always working on to benefit the district: 
  • 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