Gale Mastrofrancesco

State Representative Gale Mastrofrancesco and House Republicans Secure Key Changes to HB 5001

HARTFORD — State Representative Gale Mastrofrancesco , Ranking Member of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, spoke in opposition to HB 5001 following hours of debate on the House floor on Wednesday, while also highlighting several key changes secured through House Republican efforts. “While I ultimately opposed this legislation, our caucus fought to make meaningful improvements. I want to thank the GAE Committee chairman for his willingness to work with us for the betterment of our election systems,” said Rep. Mastrofrancesco . “We were successful in stopping a portion of the bill regarding permanent absentee voting status, which would have allowed a path for the mass mailing of automatically mailed absentee ballots.” Under changes adopted following debate, voters seeking ongoing absentee status will now be required to request an application from their municipality. Lawmakers also removed a more than $1 million provision in the proposed bill for funding of a statewide mailing campaign from the elected office of the Secretary of the State’s Office. Despite these revisions, Mastrofrancesco expressed continued concerns about the scope and direction of the bill. An amendment offered by House Republicans that would have reduced the amount of early voting days to reduce costs for towns was rejected by the majority. “This legislation spans more than 70 sections and makes sweeping changes that should have been considered individually,” she said. “Instead of focusing on strengthening election safeguards, especially in light of serious concerns raised in Bridgeport, the majority chose to expand absentee voting without adequately addressing vulnerabilities.” Mastrofrancesco emphasized that Connecticut already provides multiple avenues for voting, including early voting, absentee voting under existing law, and in-person voting on Election Day. “The main issue at hand is not access, it is integrity,” she said. “Expanding absentee voting without strong protections risks undermining confidence in our elections.”

Rep. Mastrofrancesco Op-Ed: When Thousands of Families Speak, Hartford Should LIsten

From the Desk of Rep. Mastrofrancesco: Over the past several weeks at the Capitol, one issue has drawn an extraordinary response from Connecticut families: H.B. 5468, legislation that would place new requirements on homeschooling families and those who choose private or parochial schools. The public reaction to that proposal has been overwhelming. More than 3,000 people submitted written testimony opposing the bill. About 50 supported it. Hundreds more parents, students, educators and residents came in person to testify at the Legislative Office Building, packing the room, when a public hearing was held. Families traveled from across the state. Many took time off from work. Some brought their children because they wanted lawmakers to see exactly who this bill would affect. And they all came with the same message: the state is going too far. H.B. 5468 focuses on so-called "equivalent instruction" requirements. Under the proposal, parents who withdraw a child from public school would be required to appear in person at their local district office, completely new forms declaring their educational choice, and provide documentation showing where their child will receive instruction. For many families, that may sound like a simple administrative step. But to parents who have responsibly chosen homeschooling or nonpublic education for years, it feels like something else entirely: government stepping into decisions that belong with families. The sheer volume of testimony should have been a signal that people wanted to be heard. Instead, the process surrounding these hearings left many residents frustrated and angry. Multiple major public hearings were scheduled at the same time, forcing many people to choose which issue they could testify on. Meanwhile, testimony before the Public Health Committee on another controversial proposal, HB 5044, which dealt with a radical change to the state's vaccine regulations, was capped at 12 hours despite objections from Republican lawmakers. I also opposed this bill, which I wrote about in last month's column. Think about that for a moment. Residents take the time to travel to Hartford to speak directly to their government, only to be told the clock has run out. Public hearings are supposed to be about listening. But increasingly, it feels like the goal is to get through them as quickly as possible, leaving people shut out of the process. And it was not only parents sounding the alarm about this education bill. Several public school superintendents also testified in opposition to HB 5468. When parents, educators and local school leaders are all raising concerns about a bill, that should give lawmakers pause. But slowing down doesn't seem to be the approach at the Capitol lately. My colleagues recently raised concerns about another troubling trend: the growing abuse of the "emergency certification" process - better known around Hartford as an "e-cert". E-cert was created for true emergencies – situations where the legislature needs to act immediately. A natural disaster. A fiscal crisis. Something that simply cannot wait. Instead, it is increasingly being used to move major legislation around the normal committee process. No public hearing. Limited debate. Just drop the bill and move it to the floor. That is not transparency. That is cutting corners and cutting the public out of the process. When thousands of families show up to testify about a bill that affects their children, the answer shouldn't be to rush the process or limit the discussion. The answer should be to listen. Here is the thing about Connecticut families: they are reasonable people. They understand that government has a role to play in education and public policy. But they also expect respect from the people making those decisions. Right now, many feel like they are being talked at, instead of listened to. Three thousand people spoke up on HB 5468. That is not a small group. That is a massive outpouring from parents who believe the state is stepping into decisions that belong at the kitchen table, not in a government office. When that many people raise their voices, Hartford should not be looking for ways around the process. It should be paying attention, But will the majority actually listen to the people? We shall see.

Rep. Mastrofrancesco Helps Local Students Celebrate Read Across America with Classroom Visits

WOLCOTT, CT — Students in Wolcott had a special opportunity this month to celebrate Read Across America with a visit focused on the importance of reading and early education. During the visit, Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, R-Wolcott , spent time with first-grade students at Frisbee Elementary School, where she read two books to students, including “Let It Rain” by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and a Sesame Street story. The event gave students a chance to engage with reading in a fun and interactive way. Rep. Mastrofrancesco also visited an additional classroom at Wakelee Elementary School during a spirited pajama day celebration. Students in both second- and third-grade classrooms enjoyed a reading of “Happy Dreamer” by Peter H. Reynolds, continuing the theme of creativity and imagination through literacy. Read Across America highlights the importance of building strong reading habits at an early age, helping set students on a path toward long-term academic success. Events like these reinforce the value of literacy while encouraging a lifelong love of books.

Rep. Mastrofrancesco to Holds Legislative Updates in Southington and Wolcott; Open to all Residents

SOUTHINGTON/WOLCOTT - Coming up in early February, Rep. Mastrofrancesco is inviting residents to join Sen. Rob Sampson and her for two upcoming legislative updates in Southington and Wolcott in advance of the 2026 legislative session. These meetings are a chance to hear what’s ahead in Hartford, ask questions, and share your thoughts on issues like proposed legislation, the state budget, and other concerns that are important to you. Both events are open to members of the public. 📍 Southington (John Weichsel Municipal Center) 🗓 Monday, Feb. 2 ⏰ 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. 📍 Wolcott Town Hall (10 Kenea Avenue, Wolcott) 🗓 Thursday, February 5 ⏰ 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Op-Ed: Expanding the TRUST Act Puts Political Ideology Ahead of Public Safety

From the Desk of Rep. Mastrofrancesco: Connecticut has once again found itself debating an issue that highlights just how far the majority party in Hartford is willing to go to prioritize political ideology over public safety and the rule of law. Lawmakers are now discussing expanding the already controversial TRUST Act - a move that would further limit cooperation between our state and federal immigration authorities, including ICE. Let us be clear: the TRUST Act already prevents our local and state police from honoring federal detainer requests in most cases. That means if someone is here illegally and has been arrested for a crime, local law enforcement cannot notify ICE unless that person has been convicted of one of a limited list of serious offenses. Democrat lawmakers have been vague on their intentions, but any expansion of this law would take an already flawed policy and make it even easier for dangerous individuals to avoid federal authorities. That is not protecting families – that is putting them at risk. Democrats, who are in the majority in the Senate and House, who support this expansion argue it is about “protecting immigrants.” But that is a misleading talking point. The reality is that expanding the TRUST Act protects criminals who are in our country illegally - not hardworking, law-abiding immigrants who follow the rules and contribute positively to their communities. It is a disservice to every legal immigrant who came here the right way and respects our laws. We have seen the consequences of soft-on-crime policies before. Whether it is reduced bail, early release programs, or limiting cooperation with federal law enforcement, the result is always the same: less accountability and more risk to our neighborhoods. Connecticut families want to feel safe when they go to work, send their kids to school, or walk down the street, not wonder whether someone who should have been turned over to ICE was instead released back into the community because of a political decision in Hartford. I support laws that treat people with fairness and dignity. But compassion without responsibility is dangerous. When someone commits a violent crime, their immigration status should not shield them from consequences or from being turned over to the federal authorities responsible for enforcing immigration law. Our local police officers are here to keep our communities safe - not to defy federal law because politicians at the Capitol think they know better than law enforcement. It is also troubling that these discussions are happening in the context of a special session , with little transparency or public input. This is exactly the kind of backroom legislating that erodes public trust. Before changing laws that affect public safety, lawmakers should be listening to victims, law enforcement, and community members - not just activist groups and advocacy organizations with political agendas. We all agree that no one should live in fear of going to court to report a crime to police or to pay a fine. But expanding the TRUST Act goes far beyond that - it ties the hands of law enforcement and sends the message that Connecticut is willing to ignore federal law when it is politically convenient. That is not leadership; it is recklessness. Connecticut is struggling with affordability, high taxes, and the departure of families and businesses. Yet, instead of focusing on making our state more affordable and restoring trust in government, the majority continues to push divisive policies that make our communities less safe. The federal government has the responsibility to enforce immigration laws. The state’s role should be to cooperate where necessary, not obstruct. When we start dictating to federal authorities what they can and cannot do, we go down a very slippery slope that undermines both the rule of law and public safety. An expansion of the act sends the wrong message to law enforcement, to victims, and to every Connecticut resident who simply wants a safe community. I will continue to stand with those who believe in accountability, common sense, and respect for the law because that is what it takes to truly protect our communities. -Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco