State Capitol Update from Rep. McGee

April 28, 2023


 
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Spring Greetings!

I hope you and your family are well. This is my newsletter for the month of April and below you will see what I have been up to in the legislature and other items that I can be useful to you.

It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about.

 
LEGISLATION PASSED IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK
We were back in session voting on Judicial, Executive & Legislative nominations as well as a few bills. This is the time of session when we are in the chamber more frequently to start debating and passing new legislation. I will be sure to keep you posted on our progress!
Horseshoe crabs are ecologically and medically vital. Today we took another step to protect their decimated population. https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2023&bill_num=6484
 
HB 6678 ensures that nursing home organizations statewide are more transparent about their financial situation. Transparency is an important first step towards meaningful elder care reform. https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2023&bill_num=6678
A workforce training plan for green jobs is essential to support Connecticut’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. HB 6354 includes several provisions to accomplish those goals and a strategy to market and recruit individuals, especially from underrepresented populations.  https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB06354&which_year=2023
 
 
SUPPORT FOR HOUSE BILL 6919
House Bill 6919 is a bill that I first introduced this session, which gives Connecticut theaters a tax credit for certain pre and post broadway theater productions. I am pleased to share that the bill has been adopted by the Finance. Revenue and Bonding Committee and was voted out of committee last week.
 
BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK
 
State Rep. Porter and State Rep.McGee held a press conference for Black Maternal Health Week, highlighting this year's theme, OUR BODIES BELONG TO US: Restoring Black Autonomy and Joy.

Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women, and recent data shows that most pregnancy-related deaths can be prevented.

Many factors contribute to childbirth inequities, including variations in quality healthcare and underlying chronic conditions, with systemic and structural racism having the most direct impact and influence.

In the press:

Racism is killing Black mothers. CT legislators want change
https://www.courant.com/2023/04/13/black-maternal-health-week-begins/

CT advocates urge doula certification during Black Maternal Health Week
https://ctmirror.org/2023/04/11/ct-doula-certification-black-maternal-health-week/
 
Black Maternal Health Week highlighted by Connecticut lawmakers
https://www.fox61.com/article/news/health/health-watch/connecticut-lawmakers-black-maternal-health-week/520-b93dc4e3-2cf4-4273-9a5f-9228813b86fc
 
Connecticut groups advocate for Black Maternal Health Week
https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-haven/connecticut-organizations-push-for-more-breast-feeding-friendly-workplaces/
Watch the Full Press Conference Here
 
BREAKING DOWN THE BUDGET PROCESS

We are more than halfway through the regular session, and this is the time of year when legislative activity picks up in the Connecticut General Assembly.
 
After weeks of holding public hearings, the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee and Appropriations Committee approved their budget proposals (Appropriations handles the spending side and Finance handles the revenue side). 
 
The next step…negotiations and compromise: Legislators will work with the Governor and his staff to craft the final budget agreement. The budget bill then goes before the House and Senate for consideration. After being passed by both chambers, the legislature’s final budget must then be signed into law by the governor before the end of the fiscal year, June 30.

Take a look at the graphic below for a glimpse of the budget process timeline.
I will keep you posted as we bring the budget bill to the floor to be debated and voted on in the coming weeks. Please reach out to my office if you have any questions.
 
CGA KICKBALL CLASSIC
Members of Connecticut's General Assembly - from both sides of the aisle - are coming together outside of their offices and chambers, in the spirit of bipartisanship, for some fun and good causes.

The CT General Assembly will be holding its Second Annual Kickball Classic on Monday, May 1, 4:30 p.m. (gates open at 3:30) at Dunkin' Park in Hartford, home of the Yard Goats. 

The admission price is $10, and proceeds will go to two great causes - the Q Fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, in memory of State Rep. Quentin "Q" Williams, who died in a tragic car crash at the start of the 2023 legislative session, and the Sarah Foundation, in memory of former State Rep. Noreen Kokoruda. 

The event is open to the public and we welcome you to come cheer on your favorite team and support two great causes as we honor two great legislators who left us far too soon. Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to donate to CT Foodshare, too.

To purchase tickets online, click 

HERE (there is a $2.25 fee for online purchases), or purchase at the gate. 

To learn more about the Q Fund at the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, click 

HERE.

To learn more about the Sarah Foundation, click 

HERE.
 
IN THE COMMUNITY
I received the honor of celebrating Ms. Millicent Corbett! What an honor it is to represent someone of her stature, legacy and strength. She is 95 today and her resumé proceeds her!
She was the First Black person to be granted a demolition license in CT for her business, the First Black Councilor in West Haven and the First Woman to serve in the New Haven Police Department’s motorcycle unit!
 
AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH
April is Autism Acceptance Month. This year's theme, “Celebrate Differences,” aims to herald the acceptance of individuals beyond the spectrum.
 
Formerly known as Autism Awareness Month, in 2021 the Autism Society of America changed it to Autism Acceptance Month to promote receptivity and inclusivity.
 
Autism is a complex developmental condition stemming from differences in a person's brain structure and neurotransmitters affecting individuals' verbal and non-verbal communication. Currently, 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with autism every year.
 Things to remember about autism:
 
  •     Autism is a disorder, not a disease.
  •     Autistic individuals need our support and not our judgment.
  •     It is likely you have met someone with autism, even if you think you haven't.
  •     Everyone on the autism spectrum is different, and there are many subtypes.
  •     Children with autistic characteristics are generally diagnosed by age four.
  •     Diagnosis rates may be increasing, but there are now better ways to monitor and assess symptoms.

To learn more about autism and state resources, click the button below.
State Resources
It is important to celebrate our differences so we can learn more about one another and become empowering to all neurodiverse individuals.
 
APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT
AWARENESS MONTH
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and I want you to be aware of the resources available to you in our community. If you need help, you can call (888) 999-5545 anytime to speak with a certified sexual assault crisis counselor in English. Dial (888) 568-8332 to speak with an expert in Spanish.
 
You can also contact any of the member sexual assault crisis programs in our state by clicking on THIS LINK and scrolling down to the “Need Help” section. These non-profit organizations provide free, confidential service in a safe, caring environment.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a time to focus our attention on the prevalence of sexual assault in our communities, uplift the voices of survivors, and commit ourselves to putting an end to sexual violence.

This year's theme for Sexual Assault Awareness Month is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.” The campaign calls on all individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions to change ourselves and the systems surrounding us to build racial equity and respect. 

CLICK HERE for more information.
 
 
 
Please feel free to contact me at the Capitol at 1-800-842-8267 or by email at Trenee.McGee@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Treneé McGee
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