Updates from State Rep. Gregg Haddad for Feb. 13, 2026

February 13, 2026

Work continues on the train derailment that took place in town last week. I want to thank everyone, notably town employees and officials, for their tireless efforts to keep the community safe and informed. Special kudos to Fire Chief John Roache, who made himself available to press crews to ensure the public received the best information in real time.

Higher Education Affordability

At a recent press conference at the University of Connecticut's campus in Hartford with Gov. Ned Lamont and Sen. Derek Slap, I spoke about a growing crisis in higher education affordability — particularly for graduate students.

Students and families in university communities like Mansfield consistently tell us how difficult it is to afford a college degree. Earning a bachelor’s degree is challenging enough; pursuing a graduate degree can feel financially out of reach. That concern has intensified following the federal government’s decision under the Trump administration to eliminate the Grad PLUS loan program. This change effectively slams the door on a critical federal financing option that many graduate students rely on to cover tuition and living expenses.

Without access to federal Grad PLUS loans, students may be forced into the private loan market, where interest rates and origination fees are often much higher — and approval is far from guaranteed. Many graduate students are low-income or first-generation college students. They may lack collateral or established credit histories, and lenders may make judgments about their future earning potential based on their chosen field. As a result, some students could be denied loans altogether, leaving them unable to complete advanced degrees.

This is not just an individual challenge — it’s a workforce issue for Connecticut. We need more nurses, teachers, social workers, and other highly trained professionals. If financial barriers prevent students from pursuing these careers, our communities will feel the impact.

As co-chairs of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, Sen. Derek Slap and I are committed to addressing this issue in committee and continuing to listen to affected students and families. I’m also grateful to Governor Lamont for his partnership and leadership. With collaboration between the legislature and the executive branch, we can protect access to opportunity and ensure Connecticut meets its workforce needs.

Supporting Charter Oak Faculty

Also this week, I joined with the Congress of CT Community Colleges at a press conference calling for raises for part-time educators, particularly for Charter Oak State College.

Charter Oak fills a unique role in our post-secondary education landscape in Connecticut, meeting students where they are and enabling them to earn degrees.

Charter Oak has 250 part-time educators who teach the college's entire curriculum. I am calling for higher pay for them to enable the college to continue to fulfill its mission. It's a black mark on the state that Charter Oak has among the lowest paid faculty in the country; it's time for that to be rectified.

'Living Black History'

Join the Mansfield Human Rights Commission and Windham/Willimantic NAACP for this Saturday's program "Living Black History." Pat Pheanious' father, Lt. Col Bertram Wilson, was a Tuskegee Airman. She is also active in the Witness Stones Project across Connecticut. This will be an enriching program to attend--Saturday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m. at The Mansfield Public Library Buchanan Auditorium.

Family Fun Expo

We are The UConn-URI Navy Stem Coalition is hosting a family day on Sunday, Feb. 15, from 1-3 p.m. at the UConn Volleyball Center. There will be a STEM expo, with exciting activities and light refreshments. Face painting, a bounce house, and a robotics club hands-on activity for the kids, as well! Bring the whole family to this free event. For more information and to receive updates, RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/36jmbjan

Mexican Puppetry

The Ballard Institute is hosting "Mexican Puppetry: Lormiga Titeres" with Ailin Ruiz and Sarina Pedroza on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.

This event, moderated by Ballard Institute director John Bell, will take place in conjunction with the Ballard Institute’s current exhibition Somos Uno: Mexican and Mexican American Puppetry, and is co-sponsored by UConn’s Puerto Rican and Latin American Cultural Center (PRLACC) and El Instituto, the Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies.

Admission to this event is free (donations greatly appreciated!), and refreshments will be served. This forum will also be broadcast via Ballard Institute Facebook Live.