Legislative Update 8/29

August 29, 2025




 

View this email in your browser

Greetings Community!

Welcome back to school, students, and Happy Labor Day Weekend! 

As a teacher, I'm just as excited as the students. I'm also going to enjoy this long weekend before the ball fully gets rolling again. Good luck, students. I've included a note on school bus safety and the law for passing a stopped school bus. Please be careful.

Other items below include Stand Down 2025 and a Mobile Shower opportunity coming up in West Haven on Monday, September 8th.

As always, if I can be of any help, please don't hesitate to contact my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me directly.

Sincerely,


Treneé McGee

 
Around the 116th

Day one is done, and what a great start it was!

Our schools were filled with energy, laughter, and learning. Thank you for sharing your first-day photos and memories with us. We’re excited for everything this school year will bring!
 
Good Luck Students! 

Wishing our students a great 2025-26 school year!
 
Reminder: School Bus Safety

It's an exciting time of the year for our kids and educators who will head back to the classroom soon! I hope every student has an amazing start to the new school year. 

This is also a time to remind drivers that the law requires them to slow down for school buses in your neighborhood. Here is the breakdown for any driver who fails to stop when a school bus is displaying its flashing red signal lights:

  • First offense: $450 fine.
  • Following offenses: $500 - $1,000 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both.
Click Here for CT Law on Passing a Stopped School Bus 
 
Happy Labor Day Weekend 

Labor Day is a time to celebrate the dedication and resilience of workers everywhere. Thank you for all you do to keep our communities moving forward!
 
Stand Down 2025 

On Friday, September 19th, 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.
 
Mobile Shower Opportunity on Monday, Sept. 8th

The free mobile shower program brings comfort, dignity, and a fresh start to those who need it the most. The next mobile opportunity is on Monday, September 8th. Please see the flyer below for more details.
 
 
Early Childhood Education Endowment

The Early Childhood Education Endowment Fund is Connecticut’s first permanent savings account to sustainably fund early childhood education.

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
 

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

This is just the beginning-a long-term investment in affordability, quality, and equity for Connecticut’s youngest learners.
 
Reminder: Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program 

Attention Future Educators in Connecticut! 

The Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program, established by the Connecticut General Assembly and administered by the CT State Department of Education (CSDE), is now open for applications!

This scholarship supports students who:

  • Graduated from a public high school in an Alliance District
  • Are enrolled—or will soon enroll—in a teacher preparation program at a four-year college or university
  • Are in good academic standing
  • Meet any additional CSDE eligibility requirements

Of Note:

 Up to $10,000 per year is available for eligible students, including:
 High school seniors planning to begin a teacher prep program this fall
 Undergraduate or graduate students already enrolled in an approved program

Don’t miss this opportunity to get financial support as you prepare to inspire the next generation of learners!

Apply now and take the next step toward becoming an educator. To learn more, click HERE.

Twitter
Twitter

YouTube
YouTube

Website
Website

Email
Email

Forward to a friend | Unsubscribe from this list | Update subscription preferences