Bigg News - 9.10

September 10, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

We will never forget what happened 24 years ago this week.

It was unprecedented. So, millions of Americans across the country observe 9/11 like no other day - because it was like no other day. Some 3,000 Americans were killed when our country was attacked on September 11, 2001. 

Every year, we honor and remember the lives lost, and always will, as well as their survivors, first responders, and those who are still impacted through 9/11 related illnesses.

We will never forget 9/11. More details below.

Also, in this week's newsletter edition, I included information about an increase in the minimum wage coming in January. It's set to help about 160,000 CT residents.

September is Hunger Action Month. Connecticut kicked it off by announcing a boost Connecticut Foodshare is about to receive to help address the problem here.

As always, please feel free to reach out to my office with any suggestions or concerns. 

Sincerely,

Patrick Biggins
State Representative
9/11: We Will Never Forget 
Image credit: National Archives

On Thursday, we remember the 2,996 lives lost on September 11, 2001, the thousands who have died since due to exposure to toxic chemicals, and the countless lives that were forever changed.

May we never forget the people whose lives were stolen from us through this act of terror, and all of the first responders, construction crews, service members, and everyday citizens who saved lives and helped our country rebuild.
 
Though we move further away from that fateful day each year, we must continue to honor those Americans we lost and never stop the fight against terror and for peace.
 
Reminder: Stand Down 2025 on September 19th

On September 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) will host its annual Stand Down event.

This event is a commitment to serving Connecticut’s veterans, military personnel, and their immediate families by providing “one-stop” access to a range of programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, veterans organizations, and community-based nonprofits at regional sites across the state.

A formal ceremony will be held at the Rocky Hill Stand Down location at 9:30 a.m.; however, you're welcome to attend any of the six Stand Down locations at any time throughout the day.
 
Stand Down locations are:

•            Bridgeport: University of Bridgeport, Wheeler Recreational Center, 400 University Avenue, Bridgeport
•            Southington: Southington Armory, 600 Woodruff Street, Southington
•            Danbury: Danbury War Memorial 1 Memorial Drive, Danbury
•            Norwich: Easter Seals Veterans Rally Point, 24 Stott Avenue, Norwich
•            Rocky Hill: Connecticut Veterans Affairs campus, 287 West Street, Rocky Hill
•            Stamford: UConn at Stamford, 1 University Plaza
 
Click HERE for more information.
 
A Boost to the Minimum Wage in CT 

Beginning on January 1, 2026, Connecticut’s minimum wage will increase from the current rate of $16.35 per hour to $16.94 per hour.
 
The change is required under a state law signed in 2019 that connects the state’s minimum wage to economic indicators, specifically the percentage change in the federal employment cost index.

The Connecticut Department of Labor reports that the employment cost index increased by 3.6% over the 12 months ending on June 30, which accounts for a $0.59 increase to the state’s minimum wage.
 
No full-time worker should be stuck in poverty. This is a fair increase that helps individuals and families gain stability, while also putting money back into our local businesses and communities.
 
September is Hunger Action Month

Did you know that, according to Feeding America, 516,000 people in Connecticut are food insecure? That's 1 in 7 adults, and 1 in 6 kids, or 122,000. 

I know that is heartbreaking to me. These are people from all walks of life.

Relief is on the way through Connecticut Foodshare, which received a much-needed boost this week to help address the problem.

I am proud to have voted for the much-needed additional funding for the nonprofit organization earlier this year. Click on the image below for a good read from Fox 61.
 
Biggins Books

I love to read!

"Biggins Books" will highlight what I'm currently reading, all via audiobooks, and some highlights and thoughts about what I read.

Full disclosure? I hope that you're encouraged to pick up a book, any book, and just read. Reading is a wonderful way to relax, relieve stress, enhance brain activity, and more.

In the last few weeks, I've read:

The Looming Towers: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright. This was a deep dive into the history of the Bin Laden family and other influential people in the Islamic terrorist groups. I read this book as a recommendation, but I honestly don’t think I was or am smart enough or knew enough about this topic before starting the book.  

Station Eleven: A Novel by Emily St. John Mandel. This book brought me right back to all the fear and hysteria of March and April of 2020. It was a good book, but a difficult read as it brought back so many fears.

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall. This was a great book that was both not predictable but also very predictable.  

How to Sleep at Night by Elizabeth Harris. This book was another great book, with very present concerns.  It hit home because of my role as state rep and how politics and home life are a struggle to balance, but it is essential to the role.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley This was a very good book, but also so not realistic. When would anyone ever gather so many people who could be the suspects all in one place?   
 
Upcoming Events for September
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