State Rep. Kim Rose. Contributed photo.
After serving residents of the 118th Assembly District in Milford for the past decade, state Rep. Kim Rose (D-Milford) has announced her retirement from the Connecticut General Assembly. She currently serves as House Chair of the legislature’s Internship Committee and as a member of both the Veterans Affairs and Housing committees.
She has decided not to run for reelection and will finish her term.
“Representing the 118th District has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Rose said. “I did not take the decision to retire lightly. During my tenure serving my constituents, I have made strong relationships that I will forever cherish. The connections I made with everyone, serving and helping in any way I could, was the best part of this job. I was fortunate to represent this part of Milford so I could concentrate all my efforts to helping my friends and neighbors. This was a difficult decision to make, but over the years, my family has grown, and I’d like to be with them more often as they get older.”
“Rep. Rose has been a strong voice at the Capitol for her hometown of Milford for many years, and will be sorely missed not only by her constituents but also by her colleagues in Hartford,” Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz said. “Kim has proven herself to be a dedicated representative who cares deeply for her community, and I look forward to continue working with her in the upcoming legislative session as she completes her term.”
Rose is known for being a consistent, independent voice in Hartford, at times voting against policies that didn’t reflect the views of her constituency. She also worked on a range of issues such as homelessness, unemployment assistance, addiction, health care and protecting vulnerable populations.
During the 2019 legislative session, Rose advocated to protect the Medicare Savings Program and expand access to Medicaid. She also supported the phase-in of the income tax exemption for Social Security and pension income and requiring health insurers to provide coverage for preexisting conditions.
Rose also led the charge to help Milford secure a four-year moratorium on affordable housing, something she was told would be nearly impossible. That challenge, however, fueled her work in the legislature, as well as the beginnings of her unintended political career.
Rose became involved in local politics in 2004 after listening to the concerns of her neighbors about overdevelopment on Naugatuck Avenue, where she coordinated an effort that resulted in the presentation of a petition with 2,000 Devon resident signatures to the Milford Planning and Zoning Board opposing.
Three years later in 2007, she successfully campaigned for a seat on the Milford Planning and Zoning Board to protect the city from predatory developers and encourage the smart construction of affordable housing units.
Her work has progressed from that petition and Planning and Zoning Board to the General Assembly.
In 2017, she worked to override the veto of former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, a fellow Democrat, on legislation allowing towns and cities to postpone affordable housing projects.
Rose also fought against Malloy’s toll study in 2018 after it became clear Milford residents were against tolls.
In 2018, Milford residents presented Rose a petition requesting her to introduce legislation banning single-use plastic bags. That effort came to fruition in the 2019 session, resulting in legislation that implemented a 10-cent fee for single-use plastic bags until they are phased out altogether in the summer of 2021.
Rose has served in a variety of leadership positions, including vice-chair of the legislature’s Housing Committee, House chair of the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, as a member of the Environment Committee, the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and more.
Rose invites constituents to contact her as usual, should they need her assistance either during the legislative session or afterwards. She can be reached at the Capitol at 860-842-8267, her cell phone at 203-701-6098, or by email at Kim.Rose@cga.ct.gov.
Rose also fought against Malloy’s toll study in 2018 after it became clear Milford residents were against tolls.
Lets see if she can do it again; Lamonts plan makes even less sense