West Hartford Lawmaker Picked For National Program For State Leaders

WEST HARTFORD/NEWINGTON, CT — A local lawmaker is going to school this month after being invited to participate in a national organizations pledge for public health and safe transportation.

State Rep. Kate Farrar, D-West Hartford, will participate in Smart Growth America's first class of the "State Legislator Champions Institute."

Farrar, who was first elected in 2020 and re-elected last year, serves the 20th House District, comprised of parts of West Hartford and Newington.

According to SGA, this is a program created to help state legislators "develop the skills and knowledge necessary to create transportation policies, plans and funding mechanisms that support public health, climate and equity goals."

“I am so pleased to welcome State Representative Kate Farrar to the first class of the State Legislator Champions Institute,” said Beth Osborne, vice president at Smart Growth America. “State legislators are in a key position to set transportation policy and oversee transportation spending.”

Farrar said she was pleased with the opportunity to participate.

"The State Legislator Champions Institute is a great opportunity to work and learn from legislators across the country and leading transportation experts," said Farrar. "I'm looking forward to developing ideas, collaborating on solutions and forging relationships that will help me advance the 20th District and Connecticut."

Over seven weeks in March and April, participants in the State Legislator Champions Institute will attend virtual learning sessions.

The state legislators selected for the program will have the opportunity to learn from national experts in public health, policy, street design, climate change mitigation, public safety and project implementation.

This program is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Nutrition, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity.

Smart Growth America is a Washington, D.C.,-based organization that "envisions a country where no matter where you live, or who you are, you can enjoy living in a place that is healthy, prosperous, and resilient."

For more information on Smart Growth America visit www.smartgrowthamerica.org.

For more information on state Rep. Kate Farrar, D-West Hartford, click on this link.