Danbury GOP Nominates Chaleski For 2nd Term Rep'ing 138th District

**News Release Submitted by Rep. Rachel Chaleski Campaign**

May 21, 2024

State Representative Rachel Chaleski (R-138) received her party’s unanimous nomination in her bid for a second term representing Danbury in the General Assembly. The Republican Party Convention was held at Anthony’s Lake Club in Danbury Tuesday evening.

“I’ve been honored to be a voice for Danbury residents at the Capitol for the last two years. I ran on a promise of transparency and I’ve worked to keep constituents informed through email updates, web posts, Facebook updates, and in-person coffee hours. The feedback I've received at these events, in emails and calls to my office have helped shape my votes in Hartford,” said Rep. Chaleski.

A top goal for Chaleski was to have the state step up school funding.

“As a member of the Appropriations and Education Committees, I am proud to say that we worked to pass a bipartisan biennium budget last session that finally accelerated the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula, something I’ve advocated for since my time on the Danbury Board of Education. By keeping its promise toward fully funding the ECS grant, the legislature has bolstered the economic security of our school system so we don’t have to rely on one-time increases in aid. My focus will continue to be on finding real, sustainable solutions for the benefit of all Danbury residents,” said Chaleski.

Rep. Chaleski, a member of the Education Committee, was part of a bipartisan working group drafting legislation about early childhood care and education. H.B. 5002 establishes the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund & Advisory Commission, directs the office of Early Childhood to establish a pilot Tri-share Child Care Matching Program, and allocates a one-time lump sum payment to childcare workers in an effort to retain childcare seats in Connecticut.

“This bill was a labor of love. At a time when there’s a growing divide between the cost of living and incomes, and waiting lists for some childcare programs, it was important to me that the state help parents struggling to find quality, affordable childcare,” said Chaleski. “This bill will open the door to additional resources to support early childcare, stabilize our local workforce, and most importantly, have long lasting impacts on a child’s life and future success.”

On the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Chaleski fought to protect policy procedures, known as fiscal guardrails, that are helping Connecticut pay down its massive pension debt. She also supported the biennium budget which resulted in a cut for the bottom two marginal income tax rates for all filers, from 3% to 2% and from 5% to 4.5%. Rep. Chaleski also advocated for income tax exemptions for retirement income, and this session supported a bill to establish a property tax exemption for veterans who have a service-connected permanent and total disability rating.

While serving on the Transportation Committee during the last two years, Rep. Chaleski supported road safety measures. During the 2023 session, the committee passed a bill signed by Governor Lamont requiring the Department of Transportation to expand efforts to implement wrong-way driving countermeasures.

“I was pleased to see wrong-way detection technology was installed on various exit and entrance ramps across the Greater Danbury area this year. There’s been an increase in these often fatal occurrences, and hopefully the red flashing lights will prove a deterrent,” said Chaleski.

A measure Chaleski supported this year will have the DOT develop a process for local traffic authorities to request a road safety audit. This will help identify transportation safety solutions to improve motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

Chaleski also backed legislation making it easier to get a job in Connecticut by voting for the state to enter the nurse and social worker licensing compacts for reciprocity, approving alternate paths to certification for certain educator positions, and for veterans with experience driving fire apparatus to have the required DMV endorsement waived if they prove necessary skill sets.

In addition to her work in Hartford, Rep. Chaleski has volunteered with local nonprofit organizations and raised awareness about their work. This includes Danbury Youth Services, Jericho Partnership, The New American Dream Foundation, and Parent Leadership Training Institute, among others.

Chaleski has been a resident of Danbury for over 20 years. She resides with her husband, Carl, and two children. Chaleski earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Concordia College and has experience in Corporate Finance. For more information about Chaleski or her platform, visit www.rachelfordanbury.com or www.facebook.com/RachelForDanbury138.