Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The 2024 legislative session begins on Wednesday, Feb. 7th, and with the truncated timeline of the “short session” there will surely be a lot to keep track of.

If you want to follow along with legislative business, many meetings, hearings, and news conferences will be livestreamed through the Connecticut Public Affairs Network.

You can track legislation and find out information about the legislature’s committees by visiting the Connecticut General Assembly’s website.

And…

State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105) today joined the House Republican Caucus to announce their priorities for the upcoming session, including promoting continued fiscal restraint and increasing budget stability, strengthening public safety, and making government more efficient and responsive to the people of the state.

Among the proposals is a call to amend the State Constitution to protect the “fiscal guardrails” that have allowed the state to build a solid Rainy Day Fund and begin…

Dear friends and neighbors,

The cold winter weather combined with rising inflation and higher costs for groceries is exacerbating the issue of food insecurity and hunger right here in our community, and across our state.

Many Connecticut residents are struggling to make ends meet, pay bills, and afford costly medications and food. They can use our help.

A small donation can make a HUGE difference and many pantries or soup kitchens make it easier than ever to provide a positive impact right from your…

Animal lovers State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105), co-chair of the legislature’s Animal Welfare Caucus, and Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis teamed up for an incredibly successful one-day pet food donation drive held at the Seymour Stop & Shop on Sunday January 28^th.

For more than two hours, Nicole and Annmarie talked with dozens of shoppers, and residents who came out specifically to contribute, who stopped to donate food, supplies and money to help.  The response was fantastic and…

Rep. Klarides-Ditria & Rep. David Michel to prioritize bill banning sale or trade of ivory 

Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R – Co-Chair Animal Advocacy Caucus), Representative David Michel (D – Co-Chair Animal Advocacy Caucus), and other members of the Animal Advocacy Caucus will introduce and advocate for a bill to ban the trade of ivory sourced from elephants and other wildlife following the results of a disturbing undercover investigation in the state.

The Humane Society of the United…

Rep. Klarides-Ditria & Rep. David Michel to prioritize bill banning sale or trade of ivory

Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R – Co-Chair Animal Advocacy Caucus), Representative David Michel (D – Co-Chair Animal Advocacy Caucus), and other members of the Animal Advocacy Caucus will introduce and advocate for a bill to ban the trade of ivory sourced from elephants and other wildlife following the results of a disturbing undercover investigation in the state.

The Humane Society of the United States…

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The state’s non-partisan Office of Legislative Research (OLR) has issued its annual report on important issues that the General Assembly may face during the 2024 legislative session that begins on February 7th.

You can view or download the report by clicking here.

Democrat hosted public forum advocating for these proposals

State Representative David Michel (D – Stamford) hosted an informational forum virtually with medical experts and advocates to discuss their latest push to decriminalize psilocybin as well as authorize its use for medical and therapeutic treatment. The drug can be used to treat depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions.

Several medical experts, including doctors from Harvard and Yale, family therapists, psilocybin…

Animal lovers State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105) and Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis are partnering to host a one-day pet food donation drive from 12-2 p.m. at the Seymour Stop & Shop on Sunday January 28^th.

“Taking care of our community means making sure people’s pets are safe and cared for, and we’re happy to collect much-needed food and supplies to assist those who need help,” Rep. Klarides-Ditria (R-105) said. “With inflation pushing prices higher it’s harder for those who…

Caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive issues can be difficult, and frightening if contact is lost with them, even temporarily. For many older individuals with cognitive issues or disorientation, wandering is a very dangerous and potentially life-threatening concern.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, wandering can happen at any time of the day or night and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia have a 6 in 10 chance of wandering.

Fortunately, Connecticut’s…