The legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (BPRC), led by Chair, Representative Geraldo Reyes (D-Waterbury) and Vice Chair, Representative Bobby Gibson (D-Bloomfield, Windsor), held a press conference today to announce their 2021 legislative priorities called the “Eight Pillars.”
The group has been working with advocates, local officials and legislative leadership to prioritize and advance the most critical issues through the legislative process.
“This year the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus has put out an aggressive agenda that addresses various inequities, both existing and newfound,” said Rep. Reyes. “COVID-19 has not only exposed the long list of existing inequities in our communities, but it has also created new obstacles for marginalized groups that we are prepared to address.”
“The pandemic has magnified issues pertaining to the inequalities we have outlined in our eight legislative priorities,” Rep. Gibson said. “The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus is determined to address these inequalities for our communities and the betterment of the state of Connecticut.”
BPRC intends to continue its advocacy and champion legislation to bring social, economic and environmental justice to the communities that they have been elected to advocate for.
The Eight Pillars are:
- COVID-19 Reform
- Voting Expansion
- Housing Equity
- Education Equity Reform
- Economic
- Transportation
- Environmental Justice
- Police Accountability
The Connecticut Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus was formed in 1976 to promote and assist minorities in becoming more actively involved in the political process, and in attaining political office, and to raise the economic potential for minorities and empower the minority community in the state.