Jennifer Leeper

I hope you had a restful weekend. As you know, each week I like to tell you about what's happening at the Capitol and in our own community. Things are quickly ramping up in Hartford, and I look forward to keeping you updated as this session goes on. For your convenience, here are some helpful links to all the information included in this email:

• Legislative Spotlight: The Budget Process
• Legislative Update with Fairfield Delegation
• CGA Kickball Classic
• Fairfield's Earth Day Celebration 2023
• Transgender/Gender Diverse Teen Panel
• Shop and Stroll Into Spring
• Townwide Bottle Deposit Drive

After weeks of holding public hearings, the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee and Appropriations Committee approved their budget proposals (Appropriations handles the spending 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.

The date for the Fairfield delegation's legislative update has been moved by a day: it will now be on Wednesday, April 26 from 7-8:30 pm at the Little Pub in Fairfield. We'll be discussing some of the bills we've been working on throughout the session, and will be there to answer your questions. This event is a great opportunity to connect with us and talk about the issues that matter to you, and I look forward to seeing you there!

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.

This Saturday, April 29, I will join State Representatives Sarah Keitt and Cristin McCarthy Vahey, State Senator Tony Hwang, and groups from across the state for Fairfield's Earth Day Celebration 2023. The event is at the Fairfield YMCA - 841 Old Post Road. We will be there rain or shine, and I hope you'll join us!

Tonight at 6:30 pm at the Fairfield Public Library, join Jillian Celentano and a panel of transgender/gender-diverse teens who will discuss what it’s like to be a transgender/gender-diverse teen in 2023. Hear personal stories about their gender journeys, both the good, the bad and how these teens are navigating through these challenging times. Learn about trans health care, the importance of an emotional support system, and what being an ally actually means.
You can register HERE.

This event is a great chance to support local retailers and engage with your community. You can read more about the event HERE.