Senate Republican Leaders Respond to Senate Democrats’ Concepts on Children’s Health & Safety
February 15, 2022Kelly, Formica Urge Action on a Better Way to a Healthy and Safe Connecticut
HARTFORD – Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) and Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore Paul Formica (R-East Lyme) responded to a Senate Democratic leaders’ press conference held today on various legislative concepts. The Senate Republican leaders urged their colleagues to work together to address mental health care, substance abuse, health care affordability, public safety, and workforce development issues to help children across the state.
“Connecticut Senate Republicans are advocating for strong action to remove barriers to vital mental health care especially for children, combat fentanyl, make health care more affordable, and create a safer Connecticut with opportunity for workforce training, jobs, and vital support services,” said Sens. Kelly and Formica. “Connecticut is facing a rise in mental health issues, a rise in crime, and a rise in substance abuse. Pandemic-related measures that reduced in-person interactions among children, friends, social supports, and professionals made it harder to recognize signs of mental health concerns, abuse, trauma, and other challenges. These struggles are real and recognized. Yet financial barriers to health care and opportunity that have long existed in our state remain major issues today. Connecticut is not affordable and not a place of opportunity for many working- and middle-class families and is failing far too many of our most vulnerable residents. CT is dead last in job growth and income growth, and lags behind the nation in job recovery. Hope and opportunity are not within reach for everyone. We cannot accept that reality. We need a different approach to help children in every community across Connecticut have opportunity and security. We look forward to working hand in hand with any and all lawmakers who recognize that Connecticut must pursue a better way.”
Read the Senate Republican leadership priority proposals addressing children’s mental health, public safety, substance abuse, youth support and opportunity, and affordable health care detailed last month at the following links:
