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Dear Neighbor,
There's been a lot happening in our neck of the woods lately, and I'm glad I was able to get out and experience some of it, which I proudly shared below.
The Early Childhood Education Endowment Fund, the state's savings account to sustainably fund early education, is up and running.
As we prepare our kids for the return to school, I have included reminders about school bus safety and Sales Tax-Free Week.
This week's newsletter topics include:
- Around the 41st District
- Ahead of the Return to School: School Bus Safety
- Early Childhood Education Endowment Fund
- Reminder: Sales Tax-Free Week Ends Tomorrow
- Fire Safe CT
- Stonington Borough Art Walk on September 13th
- CT Department of Transportation News
- Veterans Resources & Updates
- Community Events and Notices
Have a great weekend!
Do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Aundre.Bumgardner@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.
Sincerely,
Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative
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This week, I joined local and state partners at the TVCCA Groton Child Care Center, located on Central Avenue in the Poquonnock Bridge neighborhood, to hear directly from program directors, staff, and families about the critical role early education plays in our community.
TVCCA - Thames Valley Council for Community Action – has long been a leader in meeting the needs of Southeastern Connecticut’s working families. Groton is designated a child care desert, making investments here even more urgent.
The visit was a reminder of both the joy these classrooms bring and the urgent challenges they face, as budget crunches and federal funding threats loom.
This builds on the historic investments we made through our state budget and the priority child care legislation, creating a $300 million child care trust fund advanced by House Democrats and signed by Governor Lamont.
Last year, I helped secure $2 million in Community Investment Fund (CIF) bonding for TVCCA’s new early childhood education facility in Groton.
These steps mark real progress — but there’s still work ahead to ensure sustainable, long-term support for families and these facilities.
I’m grateful to TVCCA’s leadership, educators, and especially the kids who welcomed us this week. Their future is why we keep fighting for resources that strengthen Groton, Stonington, and Eastern Connecticut.
The first two photos are from this week’s visit, while the last three are from last year, when Rep. Conley and I hosted Rep. Napoli, Chair of the Bonding Subcommittee on which I am proud to serve, for a tour of the TVCCA Child Care Center in support of our CIF request. |
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The ISAAC School is growing!
I had the chance to visit my alma mater to celebrate the opening of their brand-new 4th & 5th-grade building addition.
It was wonderful to see familiar faces—including my former teacher, Mrs. Lazarou—and to witness how this incredible middle school continues to thrive as a hub for creativity, leadership, and learning in New London and the Southeastern CT region.
Together with Rep. Nolan and Senator Somers, we were proud to present a legislative citation to honor this milestone and the educators, families, and students who make ISAAC so special.
Congratulations to Dr. Spera and your team, Richard Muckle and the board of directors, as well as the entire ISAAC community on this exciting new chapter! |
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Congratulations to James Beard Award-winning chef David Standridge, the brilliant Kathleen Standridge, and their incredible team on the grand opening of Mystic Fish Camp!
From the visionaries behind Shipwright’s Daughter, they’ve brought a fresh and creative concept to life right here in our community—and it’s inspiring to see their hard work and passion come together.
I’ve also had the privilege of working with David on HB 6222, our Green Crabs bill, which was signed into law by Governor Lamont earlier this year.
Our bill allows fishermen to harvest invasive species, such as green crabs, under a bait species license and permits restaurants to serve them without a special permit. By turning these crabs from a threat into a resource, the law helps protect our waters while creating new opportunities for local chefs and the seafood economy — and now, just like at Shipwright’s Daughter, you’ll be able to enjoy them at Mystic Fish Camp in the form of a green crab bisque.
A big thank you as well to Scott Dolch from the Connecticut Restaurant Association and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce for hosting today’s ribbon cutting and for their continued support of local businesses.
Mystic continues to thrive because of innovators like David and Kathleen. Wishing Mystic Fish Camp much success ahead—can’t wait to see all that you accomplish! |
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We welcomed commissioners from multiple state agencies, their deputies, OPM Secretary Beckham, and representatives from the Governor’s Office to the U.S.
Naval Submarine Base NLON in Groton. Organized by Commissioner Mark Boughton and his BILT team, this first-of-its-kind gathering offered a rare opportunity to connect directly with the leaders who run many of our state agencies and to showcase the base’s critical role in our local community, our state, and our national security.
We began at the Submarine Force Museum and homeport to historic ship USS Nautilus, where the Public Affairs team welcomed us into the classroom for a briefing from CAPT Kenneth M. Curtin Jr., followed by a working lunch at Cross Hall Galley with CAPT Curtin and other major commanders.
The afternoon included tours of both high-tech and high-risk submarine school trainers, as well as briefings on key state-supported infrastructure priorities such as the Finger Piers project and the base microgrid—an initiative launched under then-SUBASE Commanding Officer, now Admiral, Carl Lahti, and one I’ve proudly championed since its inception.
Since BRAC, Connecticut has partnered with the federal government to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in on-base infrastructure, strengthening this strategic asset for decades to come. Yesterday’s program was a powerful reminder of that commitment, capped by the honor of visiting USS Virginia—where I met members of her crew, including a constituent and the son of Town Councilor Portia Bordelon.
Thank you to Commissioner Boughton and his team for bringing this group together, and to CAPT Curtin and his team for their hospitality and the opportunity to see firsthand the world-class operations and personnel that make SUBASE Groton such a vital part of our state and nation.
On a personal note, my grandfather served as a commander and pediatrician at the SUBASE hospital for many years, and I spent much of my childhood on base. It is always an honor to receive a briefing here—and an even greater honor to represent the “Submarine Capital of the World” in Connecticut’s people’s house. |
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I hope every student has a great start to the new school year, and I want to send a reminder about the importance of school bus safety.
The law requires drivers to slow down for school buses.
The breakdown for any driver who fails to stop when a school bus is displaying its flashing red signal lights is:
- First offense: $450 fine.
- Following offenses: $500 - $1,000 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both.
For a closer look at the law, please click on the image below.
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| The Early Childhood Education Endowment Fund is here—Connecticut’s first permanent savings account to sustainably fund early childhood education. |
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What’s happening now
- $300 million initial investment to grow over time and strengthen child care statewide
- Launch of Early Start CT, combining multiple programs into one, making access simpler and more equitable
- $36 million in the first year (started July 2025) to expand and improve the child care system
- 1,000+ new spaces added by June 2026
- Higher pay & better benefits for early childhood educators
- Facility improvements funded for providers
- Health insurance study underway for child care workers
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What's Ahead
- By 2027, families earning under $100k will get free Early Start CT care
- Families earning over $100k will have costs capped at 7% of income
- More spaces and programs through a competitive process
- Expanded pre-K from part-day to full-day, with inclusive environments for all children
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| This is just the beginning-a long-term investment in affordability, quality, and equity for Connecticut’s youngest learners. |
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Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week ends on Saturday.
Highlights of Sales Tax-Free Week:
- Sales or purchases of certain items of clothing or footwear costing less than $100 per item are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax.
- Sales Tax-Free Week applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone.
- This special exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as from online retailers.
Click HERE for a list of exempt and taxable items during Connecticut's Sales Tax-Free Week.
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Fire Safe CT, a new statewide initiative aimed at reducing fire-related tragedies through public education and community support, has been launched!
This coordinated effort brings together state and local agencies, fire service professionals, and health care experts with one shared goal: to protect Connecticut residents and their communities from the dangers of fire.
Core Objectives:
- Public Education: delivering clear, actionable fire prevention tips through multimedia campaigns—highlighting home safety, outdoor fire management, and burn injury prevention
- Community Empowerment: providing local fire departments and municipal fire marshals with enhanced tools, educational materials, and support to boost community-level fire risk reduction efforts
To learn more and get involved, click HERE, and for tips on outdoor fire safety, click HERE to learn how to protect your home, property, and the first responders who serve us.
Together, we can create a safer, more fire-aware Connecticut.
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The 2025–2026 school year is just around the corner, and the United Way is looking for passionate individuals to join United Way Readers.
Just 60 minutes a week can change a child’s life. By volunteering, you’ll help young readers:
- Build confidence
- Strengthen reading skills
- Discover the joy of books
- Unlock a lifetime of opportunities
- Help a child thrive — one page at a time. Click here to sign up.
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The Stonington Borough Merchants Association is hosting its one-day outdoor art fair, The Seventh Annual Art Walk, to include more than 60 artists from New England, with a special focus on Stonington artists.
The Art Walk, free to the public, will take place on Saturday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a rain/wind date of Sunday, September 14, and is expected to attract visitors from across the region.
The Stonington Village Improvement Association and Water Street Design Associates are the event’s platinum sponsors. |
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Temporary Signalization on Route 215 in Groton
A temporary signal was implemented on Route 215 in Groton on Monday, June 9th. It will be de-energized in November 2025. Project No. 0058-0338 consists of replacing the culvert headwalls and relining the existing culvert pipe under Route 215 at Anderson Marsh and Beebe Cove.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
There will be continuous single-lane closure on Route 215 from June 9 to November 2025. Traffic control signing, temporary pavement markings, and the temporary signal will guide motorists through the work zone in an alternating one-way manner.
Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area.
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Culvert Replacement on Route 215 in Groton
A culvert replacement at Anderson Marsh and Beebe Cove will be performed on Route 215 in Groton. Minor construction and utility work have already commenced.
This project is scheduled to typically occur on Mondays through Fridays with anticipated completion on November 22, 2025.
The project will address the deterioration of the existing headwalls and the separation of the culvert sections spanning Anderson Marsh and Beebe Cove on Route 215 in Groton, Connecticut. The project is scheduled to be completed on November 22, 2025.
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| This project is to be completed on Friday, August 22, 2026. At applicable locations, pedestrian control features, such as countdown pedestrian indications, accessible pushbuttons, and sidewalk ramps, will be upgraded to improve accessibility and pedestrian safety. |
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As the State Representative for Groton, Mystic, and Stonington, home to a strong military community and the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, I am committed to ensuring Veterans, active-duty service members, and military families have access to the latest updates, resources, and opportunities.
Below are important events, legislative updates, and benefit programs that may be of interest to our district’s Veterans. |
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Upcoming Events for VeteransWreaths Across America – Start Sponsoring Now!Every year, we strive to place a wreath on all requested graves at the Connecticut Veterans Cemetery and Col. Gates Cemetery. You can sponsor early to help us reach our goal. Sponsor HereLegislative & Policy Updates
2025 Connecticut General Assembly Session Opened January 8Veterans can track bills related to military benefits, tax relief, and more using the General Assembly’s Bill Tracking Tool: Track Bills HereHow to Get a Copy of Your DD 214
- Your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is critical for accessing VA benefits. Here’s how to obtain a copy:
- Check with your Town Clerk – Many Veterans file their DD 214 with their local town clerk.
- Contact CT Veterans Affairs – They have an archive of 130,000 DD 214s. Email oaa.dva@ct.gov for assistance.
- Submit a Request to the National Archives – The fastest way is online: Request Here
- If Needed for Burial or Military Honors – Funeral directors have priority retrieval access.
Applying for a Discharge UpgradeVeterans with less than honorable discharges due to PTSD, TBI, Military Sexual Trauma (MST), or sexual orientation (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell) may be eligible for an upgrade. Learn more and apply online: Discharge Upgrade InstructionsMunicipal Veterans Representative ProgramEach town must appoint a Veterans Representative to help Veterans access services. Find your local VetRep here: Locate Your Rep2025 Veterans Benefits Guide Available for DownloadThe latest edition of the VA’s "Veterans Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers" is now available: Download Here
Stay Connected & Get Involved
I encourage all Veterans, military families, and community members to stay informed and engaged. You can sign up for the Connecticut DVA Newsletter to receive future updates: Subscribe Here.For those looking to connect with fellow Veterans, share stories, and access important resources, consider attending a Veterans Coffeehouse near you. These gatherings provide a welcoming space for Veterans to socialize and receive information about benefits and services:
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- Groton – 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
- Groton Public Library – 52 Newtown Road
- Mystic – 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
- Mystic Congregational Church – 43 East Main Street
- Pawcatuck – 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
- Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center – 27 Chase Street
For more locations and information, contact:
Gina King, Director, Senior Volunteer Services
gking@tvcca.org | 860-425-6617
If you have any issues, concerns, or ideas related to Veteran services, military families, or legislative priorities, please feel free to reach out to my office. Your service and sacrifices deserve to be honored with the best support possible.
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