Education Funding, Community Events, and more

March 20, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

I want to begin by saying Eid Mubarak to all celebrating! May this day bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to you and your loved ones.

As we begin Spring, the legislature is winding down the part of session where committees are voting on bills which will then be taken up by the full Senate and House. As Co-Chair of the Public Health Committee, my focus this past month has been working to help pass almost 40 bills out of the committee. The topics range from vaccine access to private equity in healthcare, the certificate of need process for healthcare transactions, overdose prevention, menopause, dentistry, water quality disclosures, social work licensure, emergency medicine response times and more.

Throughout this month, I have remained in communication with leaders from Bridgeport and Fairfield about how the legislature can partner to address municipal needs, including Education funding. I am grateful for the leadership of fellow Fairfield colleague and chair of the Education Committee, Representative Jenn Leeper and our Bridgeport delegation leader, Rep. Chris Rosario, for the work to champion increased education funding for our students. You can learn more about the House proposal below.

Increasing Education Funding

This week I joined my colleagues to support a new plan that strengthens the Education Cost Sharing program, the state's leading grant to local school districts. The plan redirects between $100-$170 million from our state's surpluses to flow back to cities and towns for education funding.

This proposal would prevent cities and towns from having to increase property taxes to cover the rising cost of education. It is our responsibility to make sure all children in Connecticut receive a proper education and learning environment, and this proposal goes a long way toward achieving that goal.

You can watch the press conference summary by clicking this photo!

You can find more information on Education Cost Sharing in the graphics below:

Upcoming Community Events

Fairfield Farmers Market Food Drive
Sunday, March 22
Penfield Pavilion (323 Fairfield Beach Rd., Fairfield)
Read more here

The Fairfield Arts Commission has curated the 2^nd Annual Artistic Visions Challenge Art Show, on view at the main branch of the Fairfield Public Library (1080 Old Post Rd., Fairfield). The theme of the show, on view during normal library operating hours, is America’s 250^th. The show is on view now through April 10.

Fairfield University Art Museum presents For Which is Stands, a powerful exhibit also celebrating America’s 250^th.

On view at both the Bellarmine Hall Galleries and Walsh Gallery, it is a powerful and beautiful display.

I had the opportunity to view these amazing works of art a few weeks ago with my family and recommend it to all who are interested in reflecting on our nation’s history and the meaning of the flag.

Exhibition Curator and Museum Director Carey Mack Weber shared, “Bringing together more than 70 works of a diverse group of artists, in a wide array of media, the exhibition traces the image of an American flag in art from World War I to the present.”

You can visit from now until July 25^th and learn more about the exhibit here.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend. As always, please feel free to reach out directly with your ideas, questions, or concerns. You can reach me by phone at (860) 240-8585 or (203) 522-3037.

Take care,