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| I hope this message finds you and your family well! We are in the final few weeks of the legislative session in Hartford. This week, the House was in session on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. With just two weeks until we adjourn, we are doing everything possible to work across the aisle and pass meaningful legislation. I am proud to vote for bills that benefit the residents of Stratford and across our state. |
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Last Saturday, I kicked off National EMS Week with the Stratford EMS during their annual Spring Open House. I spent some time with their staff, volunteers, and Stratford EMS Youth Post 4911 members. Thank you to everyone at the Stratford EMS for your dedicated service!
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Last Sunday was Opening Day at Boothe Memorial Park! I had a great time spending the afternoon with community members and enjoying one of Stratford's amazing parks.
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Monday marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Representative Gresko and I had the honor of welcoming Stratford residents Capt. James Morgia and Ross Graham to the Connecticut Living World War II Veterans Recognition Ceremony. Thank you to all our Veterans for your service and dedication to our country.
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On Tuesday, I was proud to support Stratford Parents Place members Amanda Joy, Lexi Noel, and Sardis and Alegria Calderon who were at the Capitol for the Connecticut Family Resource Center Alliance Advocacy Day!
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| Wednesday was Connecticut Nurses Association Day at the Capitol! I was honored to meet with many of my nursing colleagues from across the state throughout the day and was proud to have them join us on the House Floor at the start of Wednesday's Session. Thank you to all the nurses who attended, I appreciate your advocacy for the profession. |
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On Thursday, I attended a press conference with the CT Association for Healthcare at Home on the recent federal legislation that will affect Medicaid rates. I had the opportunity to speak about the impacts these cuts will have on my fellow healthcare workers and in support of increasing funding for Medicaid reimbursement rates. We need to invest in these essential services that healthcare workers provide across the state.Read about the press conference here
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| National Emergency Medical Services Week |
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Across Connecticut, we have:
🚨20,000+ certified EMS personnel
🚑 75 volunteer ambulance services providing EMS support
🚒 58 volunteer fire departments providing EMS support
This EMS Week, we are honoring the dedication, courage, and lifesaving care of Connecticut’s EMS professionals. Thank you to every EMT, paramedic, dispatcher, and first responder who makes the difference between life and death. |
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This week, the House passed many critical bills while in session, including:
✅ House Bill 6863 to implement the Governor's budget recommendations
✅ House Bill 7065 to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of psilocybin
✅ House Bill 7103 to increase access to the Katie Beckett Medicaid waiver program for children with complex, severe illnesses or conditions
✅ House Bill 6250 to provide for a full staff of environmental conservation officers necessary for the enforcement of environmental regulations
✅ House Bill 7035 to prohibit any municipality from implementing a ban on the development of multifamily housing
✅ House Bill 7214 an act concerning maternal health
✅ House Bill 7267 to amend the fiscal accountability report to include estimated changes to non-fixed costs and eliminate the analysis of possible uses of surplus funds
✅ House Resolution 17 a resolution proposing approval of an agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Connecticut State Police Union
✅ House Bill 7041 to revise provisions concerning the composition of the Judicial Selection Commission and certain internal operational procedures concerning decisions issued by said commission
✅ House Bill 7259 an act concerning revisions to various statutes concerning criminal justice
✅ House Bill 6844 an act concerning permanent partial disability benefits and pension offsets
✅ House Bill 7108 an act concerning autism and intellectual disability services and abuse and neglect investigations
✅ House Bill 7162 to reform motor vehicle towing statutes, provide protections for motor vehicle owners whose vehicles are towed, and establish a consumer bill of rights regarding towing
✅ Senate Bill 721 to designate National Women Veterans Recognition Day
You can read more about some of these bills below, or click the link for each bill to learn more. These are just some of the many bills passed in the House and Senate this week. For a full list of bills passed during this session, click here.
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| Saving CT Employers Money |
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House Democrats passed legislation on Monday that saves money for EVERY EMPLOYER in the state since they all faced skyrocketing workers’ compensation claims costs after a CT Supreme Court ruling.
This legislation was a top priority of businesses and municipalities, saving them millions of dollars. Business advocates estimate workers’ compensation costs would have increased by 265% if no action had been taken. |
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Another key portion of the bill addresses Medicaid funding.
Medicaid costs continue to rise due to several factors, including changes in the enrollment mix, rising home health and pharmacy costs, and overall increased utilization of services across the program. This is an issue impacting Medicaid budgets nationwide.
The House and Senate approved an additional $284 million to fully fund Connecticut's Medicaid program through the end of the fiscal year. This was a an urgent step that ensures continued care for over 900,00 residents including seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income children. |
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The House approved a proposal to enact a 2.5% raise and a step increase for the Connecticut State Police. Troopers deserve salaries that reflect the essential work they provide to our state and can help recruit more officers to serve. There is a concern for public safety since we've seen a 25% decline in staffing prior to 2010.
The Senate is expected to support the deal, which the Governor brokered with the Connecticut State Police Union in April. |
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| Strengthening the TRUST Act |
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| Amid unprecedented federal immigration crackdowns - even targeting properly documented immigrants - and the denial of due process and habeas corpus, we are standing by our Connecticut values and protecting our friends and neighbors. |
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Connecticut has one of the strongest TRUST Acts in the country - it was approved unanimously in 2013 - and we added to it on Wednesday:
➡️ Make sure that officials like juvenile probation officers and employees of the Division of Criminal Justice and the Board of Pardons and Paroles are included in existing TRUST Act protections.
➡️ The TRUST Act allows cooperation with federal immigration authorities when someone has been convicted of serious crimes.
➡️ Added a slew of Class C and Class D felonies, including those related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and possession of child sexual abuse material, to the list of post-conviction offenses where law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
➡️ Protects due process by making sure individuals aren't funneled into ICE custody without cause while still allowing law enforcement to report serious criminal convictions
➡️ Ensures immigrants can safely go to school, court, or seek help from local authorities without added fear |
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| Protecting Municipal Worker's Pensions |
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I am thrilled to share H.B. 6844 passed out of the House late Thursday night! I am proud to champion legislation that protects municipal workers at the end of their 20 to 30 year + career who end up injured on the job (PDD,TDD, TTD). Workers with a pension will no longer be subject to having their earned benefits reduced as of July 1, 2025 so they can retire with dignity.
The second part of this bill requires the comptroller to conduct a study assessing each CT town and city for police officers and firefighter pensions. We know from years of public hearings on Public Safety and Labor and Public Employees that a top reason police officers and firefighters leave their jobs or move is because the city/town they are employed in does not offer a pension. It is critical that we gather the data we need in order to address this issue and evaluate how we can move forward to support our first responders.
I am proud to deliver on a campaign promise and am extremely grateful for the support of my colleagues on Labor and Public Employees Co-Chairs State Rep Manny Sanchez, Senator Julie Kushner, Rep. Derell Wilson, and Public Safety & Security committee member Rep. Michael Quinn.
Watch me explain more about what this bill does here
Now onto the Senate!
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We passed legislation that will foster a more inclusive and responsive system that better meets the needs of individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities.
✅ Tracks delays & gaps in critical services
✅ Requires public reporting on abuse & neglect cases
✅ Reviews DDS investigation policies every 5 years
✅ Launches statewide autism needs assessment
✅ Studies the future of Southbury Training School
✅ Proposes urgent help for complex autism cases |
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| Undue Medical Debt for CT Residents |
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📢 Medical debt relief is coming to more than 100,000 Connecticut residents!
I’m proud to share that the second round of medical debt relief is on the way. It is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and made possible through our partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. |
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What to expect:
Keep an eye out for an official letter from Undue Medical Debt.
THIS IS NOT JUNK MAIL! There is no application process, no catch, just relief.
Who qualifies?
✅ Individuals earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level
✅ Those whose medical debt equals 5% or more of annual income
This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to health equity, financial relief, and a more compassionate healthcare system for all Connecticut residents. You can view a sample of what this letter looks like here. |
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| How To Prevent Senior Scams Event |
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| I am excited to share that on June 10th, Attorney General Tong, Representative Gresko, and I will hold a forum on How to Prevent Senior Scams at the Stratford Library. This event is open to the public, and we encourage everyone, especially seniors and their caretakers, to attend. |
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| This Monday is the Annual Stratford Memorial Day Parade! The ceremony begins at 11 am at Academy Hill, and the parade kicks off at 12:15 pm and will go along Main Street to Paradise Green. |
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| This Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the brave heroes from Connecticut and across our nation who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and commitment ensure the freedoms we hold dear. |
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Yours in service,
Kaitlyn Shake
State Representative |
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