Robyn A. Porter

As we move toward the end of the 2024 session, I want to update you on bills that have passed in the House aimed at making the lives of our residents a little easier as well as happenings I've been a part of and what's coming up.

At a press conference and Lobby Day last week, I was proud to stand with colleagues and the AFL-CIO in support of HB5164, An Act Concerning Unemployment Benefits. Workers go through a lot when they go on strike to protest injustices in the workplace. Coinciding with Lobby Day, before we brought up the bill, many members showed up early and received instructions on how to "lobby us" or persuade lawmakers that this bill was worth fighting for and passing - and it is.

I was happy to join fellow State Representatives Trenee McGee and Anthony Nolan at the Connecticut Pregnancy Care Coalition Forum at the Capitol last week. I would like to thank the representatives from CT Pregnancy Care Coalition for informing us about the services they provide to women and families in our state.

I was proud to stand with fellow State Representatives Kai Belton and Trenee McGee at a press conference on Wednesday in support of Black Maternal Health Week! This year's theme, 'Our Bodies STILL Belong To Us: Reproductive Justice Now!' was our focus. We wanted to bring more awareness to this issue because we truly need to address the racial disparities that exist in maternal healthcare.

State lawmakers were happy to sit with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. for a legislative breakfast in Hartford last week!

This past Thursday in our Appropriations Committee meeting we had a bill that was referred from the Human Services Committee, "HB5454: An Act Concerning Mental Health for Young Children and Their Caregivers" come before us.

I don't know if you have been following along in the process of hiring an independent ombudsman for the Department of Corrections. I have been because the issue is close to my heart.

This legislation was made possible by a state Constitutional amendment approved by a wide majority of Connecticut voters in 2022. It will provide you - and voters across the state - with more flexibility and access to cast your vote with the confidence that your voice is heard and your civic duty is fulfilled while avoiding large crowds and scheduling conflicts.