State Representative Minnie González was born in Puerto Rico and has represented Hartford in the General Assembly for 27 years.
“If you can only help one person or one family a day and you can make a few changes, that’s a victory for me,” González said.
González recently assumed a new title as chair of the Puerto Rican and Latino Caucus and parted ways with the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus.
She hopes the two groups will continue to work together, but said it was time for the Hispanic community to have its own voice in the state legislature.
“We are no longer the minority, and what we have to do is work together and succeed,” González said.
In 2020, Hispanics made up more than 18% of Connecticut’s population, according to the most recent data from the US Census Bureau. Between 2010 and 2020, there was a 30% increase in the statewide Hispanic population .
There are 17 members in the caucus, including a state senator and 16 state representatives. The group plans to meet with Latinos in the community each month to discuss the issues that are most important to them. Last week, the group met with Stamford residents.
“They think they don’t have enough representation in the city of Stamford, they are still working to get people elected to key positions,” González said.
In addition to representation, González said that Latinos also have concerns regarding housing, education, employment, health care and often face language barriers.
“There are a lot of people out there who depend on us, there are a lot of people who are suffering, crying out for help,” González said. “We are here, my group is here, my caucus is here, ready to help.”
The Puerto Rican and Latino Caucus plans to host a community meeting in Hartford in late August where residents can voice their concerns.
The group is also working on a website that will provide more information to the public.
