Half-measures in Hartford: Why change is needed

By State Sen. Paul Cicarella

While summer is in full swing, topics like the mechanics of the legislative session, or what laws your elected leaders supported, are unlikely to be front and center at your next cookout or family vacation. It is still important keep in mind that what happens during the legislative session has a direct effect on you and your family.

My approach as your state senator continues to be to listen, learn, and make decisions that best serve the families in the 34th District. This approach guides me in every decision that I make under the Gold Dome.

Working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle has been critical to positive measures that we advanced in 2023. I am proud of the work that we did and the laws we passed that benefit families in our district and state. A prime example of this collaborative spirit is my efforts to bolster our state’s workforce in particular, our emerging workforce.

The core of workforce readiness is financial literacy. I introduced this concept to provide an opportunity for all high school students receive financial literacy education before graduation.

I was also pleased to work across the aisle to co-sponsor a commonsense law that strengthens protections of our personal information. It also bolsters protection for children in this age of social media.

Unfortunately, when bipartisanship is missing from the process, problems often arise.

It should be incumbent on the majority to recognize the importance of collaboration. With the great power that it holds through its large numbers in the Senate and House, comes great responsibility to do right by all families in Connecticut.

Cicarella

See Cicarella, A9