There are so many great aspects of the budget that, though we tried to be comprehensive in the update we sent last week, there's still more to share!
There's also a great update for money in the budget for the Avon Senior Center to help with new carpet, ceiling tiles and the multipurpose room. Grateful to be able to advocate for much-needed updates.
I hope to see many of you at the Farmington Valley Green Living Festival this Saturday, May 14. It's an opportunity for all of us to learn more about how we can address our climate crisis. Details below.
AVON SENIOR CENTER RECEIVES 100K
I'm proud to share that fellow State Representative Tammy Exum and I were able to help secure $100,000 to benefit the Avon Senior Center.
The funding, authorized through the American Rescue Plan, will be used for renovations, including the replacement of carpeting, ceiling tiles and a potential multipurpose room.
(Town of Avon)
STANDING IN SUPPORT: GOV. LAMONT SIGNS BILL EXAPNDING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Sadly, my face says it all in this photo. People across the United States are reeling from reading the Justice Alito draft opinion on Roe V. Wade. Thankfully, we live in a state that has not only codified abortion but additionally, has protected providers and residents alike from prosecution from other states and vigilante justice.
We will protect a woman's right to choose while we advocate for family-friendly and pro-child policies and education.
AN EMOTIONAL SINE DIE
Crying on the floor isn't my favorite way to spend time, but between announcing the graduation from college of our eldest daughter, Callista, and saying goodbye to the colleagues who are not running again or are retiring (on both sides of our aisle), it was hard not to feel all the feelings.
The job we do as representatives is both challenging and rewarding and while I know it often looks like we dislike each other depending on our party, the friendships and jokes that we share in and out of the chamber are very real and as I think I managed to say in the video, we've found ways to disagree without being disagreeable.
MAINTAINING OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Connecticut has made strides rebounding from the economic fallout of COVID-19, but recent the surge in the cost of living driven by inflation and gas prices has stalled the recovery for some.
Our state's small businesses, arts and culture organizations, and nonprofits are owned by our neighbors and make up the backbone of our local and state economies.
This session, we presented a state budget proposal that not only included $600 million in tax cuts, but it invested in our economic recovery. Governor Lamont signed that budget on Monday.
With our Rainy Day fund at a historic high and a projected budget surplus, Connecticut is in an opportune position to make groundbreaking investments in the following areas:
Arts and Culture
The pandemic had devastating impacts on Connecticut's arts sector. We're supporting the creative economy by investing in our museums, theatres, and other venues throughout the state.
Social Services
Since the start of the pandemic, demand for nonprofit services has risen dramatically, and the high rates of inflation has impacted their operations. We're making direct investments in nonprofit agencies to help them keep up with inflation and continue serving our must vulnerable communities.
Minority-Owned Businesses
We're providing increased business development funding for minority-owned businesses to drive economic prosperity in our communities and make Connecticut more equitable.
The past two years have been difficult, as we've faced economic challenges through an ongoing pandemic and now record high rates of inflation.
The budget plan we've put forth works to maintain our economic recovery and improve the quality of life for all residents.
KEEPING CONNECTICUT HEALTHY
While I'm proud to have worked on a state budget with $600 million in tax relief, we also made investments in a range of health care-related initiatives.
The budget we approved and the Governor has signed, includes funding for key programs such as:
More tobacco prevention funding
Expand screenings for breast and cervical cancer
New statewide registry for strokes
Increase funding to our specialty care hospitals
More psychiatric treatment beds
New home visit pilot for newborns
The budget includes $12 million for the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund. This marks a huge step in the right direction and sets Connecticut on the path to not only saving hundreds of thousands in tobacco-related healthcare costs but lives as well.
Economy-wide investments show how this budget's health care-related initiatives work for everyone in Connecticut.
SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOLS
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
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.
FARMINGTON VALLEY GREEN LIVING FESTIVAL SATURDAY
The Farmington Valley Green Living Festival takes place this Saturday, May 14th, at The Avon Congregational Church, 6 West Main Street, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Avon Clean Energy Commission.
HAPPY SCHOOL NURSE DAY
Thank you school nurses!!
Head to Association of School Nurses of Connecticut for some amazing resources, newsletters, COVID-19 resources and more! Visit here, too: ctschoolnurses.nursingnetwork.com
