Travis Simms

The Norwalk delegation — which includes myself and State Reps. Kadeem Roberts, Lucy Dathan and Dominique Johnson, as well as Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff — is hosting Norwalk Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Several Norwalk-based businesses and organizations will travel to the State Capitol to showcase some of the town’s best attractions.

I hope to see you there!

Here's a great example of creativity and sustainability coming together in our community. PaintCare partnered with Keep America Beautiful to bring a new community mural to Kendall College and Career Academy for Earth Day.

The mural was designed and painted by local artist Fivefingaz, showcasing the talent within our region while supporting a broader message of sustainability.

In addition to beautifying the space, the initiative brought together students, local organizations, and the arts community to celebrate collaboration and creativity.

The mural was unveiled on Earth Day -- Wednesday. Read the Patch article for more information.

Connecticut House Democrats took action to prevent gun violence by banning convertible pistols — firearms that can be easily modified to function like automatic weapons — and making it easier to safely surrender firearms to local police.

Common-sense steps to keep our communities safer.

People’s right to vote is under constant attack around the country, but here in Connecticut, we’re making sure elections are free and fair. Some of the key provisions:

• Replacing the confusing second envelope with a more reliable bar code system
• Setting up a system to check the status of your absentee ballot online
• Allowing more people who request a ballot to be automatically sent one for each election
• Expanding where town-supervised voting by absentee ballot takes place (currently it is only in nursing homes and hospice)
• Letting anyone who will be 18 by Election Day vote early or by absentee ballot

This is one of those issues that’s gotten a lot of headlines, and let’s be honest, it’s often used to divide us.

But, at its core, HB 5044 is about protecting public health and making sure Connecticut is prepared, informed, and guided by science.

Let me be clear: this is NOT a vaccine mandate. No one is being forced to take a vaccine. This bill simply establishes a standard of care for adults, guidance based on medical expertise that recommends certain vaccines, just like many other routine healthcare standards.

What this bill does:

• Keeps vaccine recommendations in the hands of public health and medical experts, NOT politics
• Establishes a standard of care for adult vaccinations (recommendations, not requirements)
• Ensures insurance coverage so recommended vaccines are affordable and accessible
• Expands access to vaccines, especially for vulnerable and underserved communities
• Allows Connecticut to act independently if federal guidance is delayed or inconsistent
• Strengthens our ability to respond quickly to emerging public health threats

I understand concerns about vaccines, I’ve experienced side effects myself. I had an inflamed pericardial sac after taking a vaccine, but it was caught early and resolved quickly.

That experience gave me perspective, but it doesn’t change the facts.

The overwhelming science is clear: vaccines prevent serious illness and save lives.

We lived through a pandemic not too long ago. We can’t forget those lessons. Preventing the next one matters.

That’s why I voted YES on HB 5044.

Protecting public health should never be political.

Across Connecticut and the nation, consumers have reported being encouraged, and even pressured, to sign up for financial products such as medical credit cards, loans, and lines of credit while undergoing treatment, in pain, or under sedation. Many later face unexpected high-interest charges due to confusing promotional terms, leaving them burdened with significant and unforeseen debt.

HB 5127 addresses these concerns by establishing clear, targeted protections while preserving consumer choice and access to financing options. Key provisions of the legislation include:

• Targeted safeguards during vulnerable moments: Providers are generally prohibited from advertising, soliciting, or offering third-party financing while a patient is under anesthesia, receiving care, or in treatment areas. Regulated discussion may still occur in waiting rooms and other rooms within health care facilities to ensure transparency
• Empowering consumer decision-making: The bill prohibits providers from completing or submitting financing applications on behalf of patients, ensuring individuals maintain control over financial decisions.
• Improved transparency and reduced confusion: Restrictions on co-branding prevent misleading associations between care providers and financial products, while required disclosures ensure patients clearly understand terms and conditions in their primary language.
• Eliminating conflicts of interest: Providers may not receive financial incentives for promoting third-party financing options.
• Preventing unexpected costs: The bill limits when charges can be applied to financing accounts and enhances transparency around ancillary products, including return options in certain cases.
• Mandatory disclosure protections: Patients must sign a standardized disclosure form before engaging in financing discussions, ensuring informed consent.

This May, the city is offering free trees for residents in the following low-canopy neighborhoods:

• East Norwalk
• Golden Hill
• Springwood

You may be eligible to have a young tree planted right in your front yard - at no cost. 

Register by May 1 here.

As many Connecticut families begin their spring cleaning, it’s also a great time to safely clear out unused or expired medications from your home. Proper disposal helps prevent misuse and protects our communities and environment.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is coming up on Saturday, April 25, offering a convenient way to drop off old medications at local collection sites across the state.

If you’re unable to participate that day, there are safe, year-round options available.

The MyOldMeds locator tool connects residents to more than 200 secure medication disposal sites throughout Connecticut. By simply entering your ZIP code, you can quickly find a nearby drop-off location, along with helpful guidance on safe medication storage and disposal practices.

I encourage you to take advantage of these free resources and help spread the word to friends and neighbors. Together, we can keep our homes safe and our communities healthy.

If you have any questions or need assistance finding a location, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

This May, the city is offering free trees for residents in the following low-canopy neighborhoods:

• East Norwalk
• Golden Hill
• Springwood

You may be eligible to have a young tree planted right in your front yard - at no cost. 

Register by May 1 here.

As always, feel free to call me at 1-800-842-8267 or email me at Travis.Simms@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or concerns. Also, please like my official Facebook Page for regular updates.

Sincerely,

Travis Simms
State Representative