State Rep. Pat Dillon is seeking reelection and recently discussed her record of delivering for her constituents in New Haven’s west side. When a group of Westville neighbors expressed concerns about the need for better lighting in Edgewood Park, Dillon reached out to the chair of the state legislature’s Bonding Committee for help.

Dillon has secured $243,000 in state funds for Edgewood Park lighting improvements and $800,000 for upgrades to the park’s Mid-bridge, skate park, and other improvements. She has also intervened to save supporting housing for 100 clients of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services at risk of homelessness.

Dillon’s Legislative Accomplishments

Dillon’s achievements include securing $1 million in Federal Urban Act grants to reduce flooding on Forest Road, adding funding to the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance for social marketing for merchants, and saving clinical jobs and Latino mental health positions at the Connecticut Mental Health Center.

Dillon described her approach to lawmaking, emphasizing the importance of building on existing legislation and working with constituents, colleagues, and leadership to achieve results. She pointed to her work on violence prevention, including the creation of the Office of Injury and Violence Prevention in the state Department of Public Health.

Fellow New Haven State Rep. Juan Candelaria praised Dillon’s work as Health Chair of the Appropriations Committee, citing her efforts to secure funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers and preserve access to mental health services for Latino communities.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.