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| Dear Neighbor,
Thank you to everyone who helped out with this past Saturday's Community Clean-Up with the Elmwood Business Association and me! A special thanks to Elmwood resident Joanna Nowlan for organizing. We cleaned up New Britain Avenue, picking up everything from cans to car parts. It was a great reminder to pick up what we can on any walk we take in our neighborhood. Thank you again! |
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The draft opinion leaked early last week suggests that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, the half-century-old judgment that protects the right to an abortion. Although expected, this opinion questions the future of reproductive healthcare in the United States. The logic of the opinion also leaves a chilling effect on the future protections of same sex marriage, other LGBTQ rights, and contraception.
If Roe is struck down, nearly half of the states are positioned to ban or restrict access to abortion, with some states enacting laws to ban or burden such care outside of their borders.
I am proud to say that during the 2022 Legislative Session, the Connecticut General Assembly passed the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, which legally protects medical providers and patients traveling to Connecticut seeking abortion care. This legislation also allows for advanced practitioners for whom abortion care is part of their scope of practice to perform abortions.
Roe V. Wade was codified into the Connecticut Constitution in 1990, but now with its fate looming, the legislature has provided a safeguard protecting that right to an abortion and protecting a person's right to choose. Governor Lamont has signed this legislation into law, putting Connecticut at the forefront of protecting reproductive rights.
During these terrifying and uncertain times, I will continue to fight for the right to choose, protect practitioners and keep Connecticut a safe place for all. |
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| Every student in our state should have access to an education filled with opportunity that sets them up for success. The best investment we can make in our future is giving our schools the tools and resources they need today to help our students succeed tomorrow – and our state budget doubles down on the investment.
Our schools educate students of all backgrounds with different needs. We are fortunate to have incredibly talented educators in our state that have gone the extra mile, especially during the pandemic as they adapted to a rapidly changing educational landscape.
The budget will:
- Increase local funding for special education
- Expand minority teacher scholarships
- Expand school choice opportunities
- Stabilize funding for CT colleges and Universities
- Expand successful LEAP attendance program
- Double funding for bilingual education
Our schools are still rebounding from the pandemic, and this budget will ensure our students and educators have the supports they need to succeed. |
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| Access Health CT recently launched a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for households earning at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. Individuals who are eligible for HUSKY cannot use this period to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan. The SEP will continue as long as the American Rescue Plan Act remains in effect. The law is in effect until December 31, 2022 and may be extended beyond that date.
Residents can enroll in a Qualified Health Plan during the SEP by calling the Access Health CT Call Center at 1-855-805-4325 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired can use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or contact Access Health CT with a relay operator. To learn more about the SEP, eligibility requirements, and more, please click here. |
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| To prepare for West Hartford's annual Run-A-Muck race at Wolcott Elementary School, a group of volunteers will be working to remove invasive plants from the Wolcott Park forest this Saturday, May 14 starting at 8 a.m. and ending around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. Interested persons are invited to stop by for as long as they would like to help with this effort. Volunteers will mostly be removing bittersweet vine and garlic mustard. Useful tools volunteers are encouraged to bring include rake, hand clippers, loppers, pruning saw, bow saw, pole saw, and tarp. Volunteers should wear long sleeves and pants, boots, and leather gloves. For more information, please reach out to Ted Goerner at tedprez@gmail.com. |
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| If you or someone you know is looking to upgrade their skills or career, the Town of West Hartford and the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce are holding a Community Job and Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 25 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Elmwood Community Center! This event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is NOT required. Participating businesses may include banking, manufacturing, food service, retail, and health care. All industries are encouraged to participate as a diverse set of job seekers are expected to attend. Vender space is limited and will be assigned on a first come basis. Businesses and job resource organizations that would like to reserve a table can email jobfair@westhartfordct.gov. |
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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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