Legislative & Local Updates For The 149th District for the Week Ending March 3, 2023

March 6, 2023
This week was a busy one as bills are making their way through the public hearing process. 

As always, if you would like to contact me, please do so at the link at the bottom of this newsletter.
 
Thanks, and hope to see you very soon,
 

Rachel
 
Reducing Noise from Highways

In the Transportation Committee, we heard testimony on several bills including two that are particularly relevant for Stamford and Greenwich: 
 
HB6744 is an Act Concerning Tree Removal and Vegetation Management by the Department of Transportation. I-95, the Merritt Parkway, and Route 1 bisect our district. The vegetation lining these roads is an important buffer that acts as a sound suppressant, improves air and water quality, reduces flooding, and sequesters carbon. These edge forests mitigate heat island effects and improve the quality of life and home values of people living near highways. For too long, the Transportation Department has handled utility work along these corridors through clear-cutting. HB6744 would replace clear-cutting by the Transportation Department with guidelines for vegetation management and the involvement of trained arborists in tree removal. CT Insider has an article on the issue.
 
Residents of Greenwich and Stamford have been demanding relief from highway noise for years. HB6745 is An Act Concerning the Construction of Noise Barriers, a Plan Implementing a State-Wide Decibel Level Testing Program and Idling Motor Vehicles. This bill would mitigate excessive noise from our busy transportation corridors.
 
Together, these bills would go a long way to reducing highway noise and improving the quality of life for people living near them.
 
You can read the testimony I submitted here.
 
Bringing the House to Greenwich and Stamford
On February 28, I joined my colleagues in the Greenwich Delegation - Representatives Steve Meskers and Hector Arzeno, and Senator Ryan Fazio - for a legislative update at Greenwich Town Hall. We reported on our committee work and engaged with members of the public in a lively discussion on a variety of topics including ranked-choice voting, zoning regulations, solutions to increased traffic on our roadways, safety protocols for freight trains, and the cost of living in the state.

I’ll be participating in a similar legislative update at The Little Theater at Westhill High School in Stamford with Representative Matt Blumenthal on Thursday, March 9 at 7 pm. Please join us!
 
Public Hearings for the Week of March 6
 
Education Committee Tour Stops in Greenwich
It was great to tour Western Middle School on March 2 with Principal Bernstein and Vice-Principal Montague, along with Rep. Jeff Currey, Rep. Hector Arzeno, and Superintendent Toni Jones. The visit by Rep. Currey is part of his statewide Education Committee tours, visiting schools across the state to learn more about their needs, hear about their successes, and help shape policy to make for a brighter tomorrow for our students. 
 
Domus & Roxbury School Visits

Last Friday, I spent my morning in Stamford visiting Domus, a social services nonprofit helping over 1,000 children experience academic and life success through educational, residential, and community programs. 

Then I went to a book reading event at Roxbury School to showcase a donation of children’s books highlighting Black and Latino stories to every K-3 classroom in Stamford. I enjoyed meeting Nadine McKenzie-Reid and Carlee Reid, the mother-daughter author and illustrator of I Love My Kinky Hair!
 
Stamford Families: Receive FREE Funding to Enroll Your Child in an Activity Through ALICE Enrichment Fund!
The United Way of Western CT's ALICE Enrichment Fund, a program that provides eligible families with access to $300 per child to spend on out-of-school enrichment activities like swimming, music, art, sports, and more – as well as the corresponding equipment for such activities.

Families are screened for eligibility based on their household income and family size, using the ALICE Threshold Budget. This information and more are available at www.uwwesternct.org/aliceenrichmentfund.

This funding is free for families to access and helps to ensure that every child, no matter their family's household income, can participate in enrichment activities.

In Stamford, individuals can apply for the funds online at www.prosperikey.org/listing/stamford-alice-enrichment-fund or in person at one of three partner locations:

  • Person to Person: Request a caseworker, 203-655-0048
  • Boys & Girls Club of Stamford: Jerred Jones, 203-324-0594, Jjones@bgcstamford.org
  • Building One Community: Lorely Peche, 203-674-8585 ext. 119, Lpeche@B1C.org
 
Greenwich Election Academy
The Greenwich Registrars of Voters have established an Election Academy, a hands-on educational program to learn how elections are prepared and conducted in Greenwich. Registration ends March 15 for the Class of 2023.
 
Palace Theater Education Programs

Symphony Space "Global Arts"
Monday, April 3rd - Thursday, April 6th, 2023
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Grades 3-5 (as of Sept. 2022)
This is a free Symphony Space program, being presented and generously sponsored by The Palace Theatre

This program was created in the belief that the arts bring people together, transcend barriers, and celebrate both our similarities and differences. Using the arts as primary sources rich in information about the people who created them, Global Arts explores cultures from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. and explores the cultures of indigenous people from North and South America.

 Four-day program taking place at The Palace Theatre in Stamford (61 Atlantic Street) from Monday, April 3rd to Thursday, April 6th from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm.  The program was designed for 3rd – 5th graders. Please note: Students must be able to attend ALL 4 days; unfortunately, cannot accommodate those who can only attend partially. 

Each day is filled with activities such as Physical Warm-up, Journal Writing, Storytelling and Acting, Dance and Music, elements of Chinese Opera (singing, acting, talking, sword fighting and Chinese Ribbons), African and Mexican Rhythms and Dance, Japanese Taikoza Drumming, Capoeira Luanda and Afro-Brazilian Martial Arts.

Click here for more information and the registration forms

Triple Threat Performer
2 Weeks, July 10th - 21st, 2023
9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Ages 9-16
Fee: $800

Under the inspiring direction of Luis Salgado, Broadway Assistant Choreographer of the Tony-winning show “In the Heights” and Director/Choreographer for “Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour,” “On Your Feet” & “Ragtime,” the exciting two weeks will immerse students in the dynamic process of Acting, Singing, and Dancing - with a focus in the making of Art with A Purpose. The program is highly designed to encompass the diverse components of Musical Theatre.

Classes will be taught by a select group of experienced New York artists from Salgado Productions to provide students with the well-rounded training they require.

Students will fully engage in master classes exploring the disciplines of acting, voice, and dancing (Musical Theater, Body Percussion, Latin Fusion, Song Interpretation, Hip-Hop and more).

At the end of the two transformative weeks, students will have a deeper understanding of how to successfully integrate song, dance, and character interpretation within a musical theatre piece, using all tools to support their journey as an actor to communicate their character’s central truth.

A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available based on financial need.

Click here for more information and the registration forms
America 250 Listening Sessions

Last year, the America 250 | CT Commission was created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which will take place in 2026. The Commission is tasked with creating an inclusive and engaging commemoration where Connecticut’s residents can appreciate history's relevance and understand the diverse people of the past that all contributed to the American story.

You can play a significant role in the commemoration as the America 250 | CT Commission wants to hear from you! If you have ideas on what you would like to see from the event, please consider providing your input.