SENATOR MAHER RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN LEADERS

SENATOR MAHER RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN LEADERS

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, released the following statement following a Tuesday virtual meeting between leaders of the Committee on Children and the Department of Children and Families, providing an update into investigations related to an ongoing Waterbury legal case where a woman is accused of holding a relative captive for two decades:

“As the ongoing, extremely disturbing Waterbury case proceeds, we need to understand how it evolved so we can better protect children now and in future circumstances,” said Sen. Maher. “In an important conversation this afternoon, DCF provided increased transparency and described how their procedures have evolved over the last 20 years as well as promised to release a statement. I hope to receive more updates from them as more information is available with the ongoing legal case. I will continue working with colleagues and advocates to review and update our statutes for DCF and educational oversight to make sure horrors like these do not occur again.”

Senator Honig Urges Federal Government to Maintain Care for Fairfield County Veterans

Senator Honig Urges Federal Government to Maintain Care for Fairfield County Veterans

Senator Paul Honig, co-chair of the General Assembly’s Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee, issued the following statement Monday in response to reports that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may be preparing to close its Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Stamford:

“As Senate chair of the legislature’s Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee, and as an American, I’m concerned by recent reports suggesting that the VA’s Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Stamford may be preparing to close,” Senator Honig, D-Harwinton, said. “Veterans of conflicts like World War II, Korea, and Vietnam are now at an age where consistent access to care is critical. Now is not the time for the federal government to walk away from its responsibility by forcing aging veterans to travel long distances for the medical support they’ve earned. I urge the federal administration to uphold its promises to our veterans and ensure these services remain accessible in the communities where they live.”

Senator Honig’s statement follows reporting by CT Insider, which detailed concerns that the facility’s possible closure may force Fairfield County veterans to travel as far as the Bronx or West Haven to receive medical care.

SEN. OSTEN WELCOMES STATE BONDING FOR HEBRON FIRE DEPARTMENT

SEN. OSTEN WELCOMES STATE BONDING FOR HEBRON FIRE DEPARTMENT

State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today welcomed the news that the State Bond Commission is expected this week to approve $500,00 for the Hebron Fire Department to help purchase a new fire engine.

The $500,000 in state bonding is expected to pay for about 50% of the cost of a new engine, basic models of which currently cost between $900,000 and $1.2 million. $500,000 equals a little over half a mill in local taxes at the current mill rate.

“Public safety infrastructure is one of the most important aspects of any town, and just like roads and bridges and schools, fire equipment needs to be updated from time to time,” said Sen. Osten. “I’ve been talking with Chief Starkel and town officials for nearly 18 months about this bonding, and I’m proud to say it is finally ready to be released. I’m happy for the people of Hebron, and I want to thank all the firefighters and first responders in Hebron for everything they do every day to keep the population safe.”

“I’m ecstatic,” said Hebron Fire Department Chief Peter Starkel, who notes that he first started discussing a state grant for Hebron with Sen. Osten in February 2024, and that she kept him regularly apprised of the progress. “Senator Osten has been incredible. She’s always been a huge supporter of public safety and the fire service. She just been great.”

The commission was expected to approve the funding at its meeting on Friday, August 1 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1-E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN RELEASES STATEMENT AS STATE BOND FUNDING TO REDUCE ELECTRIC BILLS

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN RELEASES STATEMENT AS STATE BOND FUNDING TO REDUCE ELECTRIC BILLS

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), Senate Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, released the following statement as the State Bond Commission is expected to approve the release of $155 million in state bond funding August 1 to reduce public benefits charges on consumer electric bills.

“After tireless work and negotiations in the Energy & Technology Committee over months and years, it’s meaningful to see real relief delivered to the people of Connecticut on their energy bills,” said Sen. Needleman. “This continues the momentum of consumer-first legislation the committee has emphasized for years and I’m hopeful we can continue to build on this progress and deliver further relief in years to come.”

Approved as part of Senate Bill 4, the legislature’s major energy legislation this year, these bonds will reduce the costs of hardship protection programs and electric vehicle charging programs on consumer electric bills. They’re expected to deliver an average of $10 monthly in consumer bill relief from September 2025 to spring 2026, with a second round of funding to deliver similar relief next summer.

SENATOR ANWAR RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S, YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH END GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH

SENATOR ANWAR RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S, YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH END GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, released the following statement in response to recent media reports that Connecticut Children’s and Yale New Haven Health will end gender-affirming care programs for youth in response to escalating pressure from the federal government:

“As a physician, my foremost concern is for a patient’s well-being. Studies repeatedly show that access to gender-affirming care delivers significant mental health improvements for transgender teens and youth, as well as improvements to their overall health and their quality of life. Therefore, I find it extremely disturbing to see the federal government mandate that this care will be ripped from the patients needing and benefitting from it most. This is just another attack on the LGBTQ+ community from an administration that has made its disdain for them clear, which makes our continued need to support them all the more important.”

SENATOR MAHER RELEASES STATEMENT AS CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S, YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH END GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE PROGRAMS

SENATOR MAHER RELEASES STATEMENT AS CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S, YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH END GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE PROGRAMS

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, released the following statement in response to recent reports that Connecticut Children’s and Yale New Haven Health will end their gender-affirming care programs in response to pressure from the Trump administration.

“I’m disheartened that these programs, which provide real help and assistance to transgender youth, are two more casualties of oppressive federal policies. Amid unprecedented attacks on trans and queer people in the United States, our youngest Connecticut residents losing access to vital resources is unnecessarily cruel. Federal policy decisions are attacking our communities and our health care system in an increasingly disturbing pattern; this latest news comes after federal authorities have already slashed funding for a mental health support and suicide prevention hotline for the LGBTQ+ community. The intent behind ripping away care and support for vulnerable people is chilling.

Trans and queer youth in Connecticut and across America aren’t going away any time soon. Creating a climate of fear does not make people any less than who they are. Regardless of attempts by some to silence and intimidate them, the LGBTQ+ community will continue to have our support.”

The Connecticut Children’s and Yale New Haven Health changes come as the Trump administration is increasingly targeting medical programs providing health care and gender-affirming care to teens, such as counseling and hormone therapy. Such care has been shown to provide significant improvements in mental health for transgender youth. ABC News reported in 2024 that federal Republicans spent tens of millions of dollars in 2024 on anti-trans political ads.

Sen. Lesser Expresses Concern over Connecticut Children’s New Gender Care Policy

Sen. Lesser Expresses Concern over Connecticut Children’s New Gender Care Policy

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Matt Lesser, Senate Chair of the Human Services Committee, wrote to James Shmerling, President and CEO of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in response to news reports that the medical center will be “winding down” gender care for its patients.

The decision comes in response to pressure from the Trump administration amid their continued targeting of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans youth.

The letter can be viewed below.

James E. Shmerling
President and CEO
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Via Email

July 24, 2025

Dear Jim,

I write to express serious concerns and seek clarity about recent media reports that Connecticut Children’s Medical Center has decided to “wind down” medical care for transgender youth.

As the Senate co-chair of the Human Services Committee, I have a responsibility to look after the wellbeing of patients in my district, as well as overall oversight over programs funded by the Department of Social Services including the state’s Medicaid program. As the only standalone children’s hospital in Connecticut, CCMC has a special responsibility to care for its patients and residents in the surrounding region.

I am concerned that your decision endangers your patients, violates established standards of care and, to the extent that your decision discriminates against a class of your patients, violates state law.

Connecticut law is explicit: just this month, Governor Lamont signed into law Public Act 25-154, which passed unanimously through the legislature, which makes it expressly illegal for “any health care provider to knowingly discriminate in the provision of health care services on account of a person’s… gender identity or expression[.]”

Additionally, I have heard from parents of transgender youth in my district who are only learning of this decision from news reports and are terrified of the potential grave consequences your decision could have on the wellbeing of their children.

President Trump has targeted health care providers, seeking to politicize the practice of medicine rather than trust trained medical providers to use their own professional judgements informed by science and standards of care. I recognize that other providers have received a barrage of subpoenas and other interventions from an administration that has expressed political hostility to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights across the board.

You are clearly in a tough position.

However, that fact does not absolve you of responsibility for your decisions nor does it permit you to violate state law.

CCMC has not performed surgeries on youth, nor does it provide medication or hormonal treatment to prepubescent children, and care is provided with parental consent.

So which patients and which treatments are impacted by your decision? How do you intend to protect them from further harm?

How do you intend to communicate with them, given that they are only learning about this decision from the news media?

How do you reconcile this decision with state nondiscrimination law?

Studies have clearly established that transgender youth, who are stigmatized in every corner of our society, are at vastly higher risk of attempting and dying by suicide, and that gender affirming care can reduce that risk.1 Furthermore, your administrative decision appears to contravene the standards of care promulgated by leading professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pediatric Endocrine Society and the Society of Pediatric Psychology. To deny care seemingly violates those standards of care.

I look forward to timely answers to these questions and appreciate your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Matthew Lesser

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Named New Voice for the Environment

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Named New Voice for the Environment

Today, State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox celebrates being named a “New Voice for the Environment” for the 2025 Legislative Session from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters. Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox is joined by 8 other freshman legislators who were endorsed by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters.

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox was recognized for her support on a number of issues including clean energy, combating climate change, expanding bans on harmful chemicals, protecting Connecticut’s natural resources and more. Some of the most impactful legislation Senator Gadkar-Wilcox supported this session includes:

Senate Bill 9 was a priority piece of legislation of the Senate Democratic Caucus and it aims to improve the state’s climate resiliency and help municipalities prepare and respond to the effects of climate change like sea level rise, flooding and extreme weather events. It also expands a ban on neonicotinoids, a toxic pesticide that is having serious impacts on birds, pollinators and our ecosystem. The legislation also restricts use of anticoagulant rodenticides, which are poisoning our state’s bird of prey.

House Bill 5004 was a priority piece of legislation for the House Democratic Caucus and it sets a new net-zero greenhouse gas emission target by 2050 and creates a pathway for the state to achieve that goal. It establishes a Clean Economy Council, offers tax incentives, addresses solar canopies, urban agriculture and more.

“Protecting our environment is one of the most important charges of our generation and I am so proud to have been recognized as a strong advocate for clean energy, protecting our resources and combating climate change,” said Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox. “We are far from done and I am eager to get back to work to further our progress on environmental equity, climate resiliency and a net-zero carbon future.”

You can read more about the environmental wins of the 2025 session and what work remains at this link.

SENATOR ANWAR NAMED ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION BY CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS

SENATOR ANWAR NAMED ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION BY CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS

Recognized for his work to support environmental conservation statewide, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters named State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) an Environmental Champion for the 2025 legislative session.

Sen. Anwar received the recognition for his support of bills and new laws seeking to emphasize increased use of clean energy resources, better protect and preserve the state’s climate, remove emissions from Connecticut’s air and develop better waste disposal and recycling strategies, among other efforts.

Environmental champions, the CTLCV said, were recognized for “leading the charge” on efforts to reduce emissions, protect natural resources and promote clean energy efforts.

“Our children and grandchildren will rely on clean air and water as much as we do, and the pressure of climate change is becoming more apparent, making it increasingly necessary for us to act now,” said Sen. Anwar. “I am grateful that the CTLCV is keeping a watchful eye on environmental policies and am honored to receive this distinction.”

The CTLCV reviewed legislation regarding climate protection, climate resiliency, energy policy, clean energy and utilities, pollution, wild lands and waters, and developmental and environmental protection in its review.

In addition to recognizing Sen. Anwar for his support of environmental policies, the CTLCV gave him an overall score of 86% for the 2025 legislative session, a solid B score. The organization docked points from legislators who voted in support of allowing hunting on Sundays on private lands and to establish a bear hunting season. The latter bill did not become law.

SENATOR MARX NAMED ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION BY CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS

SENATOR MARX NAMED ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION BY CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS

Recognized for her work to support environmental conservation statewide, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters named State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) an Environmental Champion for the 2025 legislative session.

Senator Marx received the recognition for her support of bills and new laws seeking to utilize clean energy resources, protect the state’s climate, fight invasive plant species, and improve recycling practices across Connecticut, among other efforts.

Environmental champions, the CTLCV said, were recognized for “leading the charge” on efforts to reduce emissions, protect natural resources and promote clean energy efforts.

“We need clean water, fresh air and our natural environments to truly thrive in Connecticut,” said Sen. Marx. “It’s in support of our communities and our residents that I fight for and advocate for policies protecting us and future generations against future climate impacts. I’m grateful to the CTLCV for its recognition.”

The CTLCV reviewed legislation regarding climate protection, climate resiliency, energy policy, clean energy and utilities, pollution, wild lands and waters, and developmental and environmental protection in its review.

In addition to recognizing Sen. Marx for her support of environmental policies, the CTLCV gave her an overall score of 86% for the 2025 legislative session, a solid B score. The organization docked points from legislators who voted in support of allowing hunting on Sundays on private lands and to establish a bear hunting season. The latter bill did not become law.