Weekly Updates & Local Happening

February 10, 2023





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Dear Neighbor, 



I hope you'll join myself and my colleagues, Reps. Conley and Bumgardner, on Thursday, February 16 from 5:30PM-7PM at the New London Public Library for a legislative update! 

This is your opportunity to meet three of the state representatives serving Southeastern Connecticut. Come out to ask questions or just get more info on how we plan to serve our communities during the legislative session. I hope to see you there! 

Funding Secured to Guarantee Access to Free School Meals Through the End of School Year

By utilizing $60 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, we are able to ensure every child in Connecticut can access free school lunches for the remainder of the school year. Equitable access to proper nutrition in school is necessary to supporting a child's ability to learn and thrive. 

I would also like to highlight the more than $20 million pay-out to special education funding that has been allocated to schools across the state.



I am proud to have been able to deliver $158,528 for New London's special education funding needs, ensuring that all committed funding increases were provided to our district. 

Governor Lamont Delivers Budget Address

This week the Governor came before us to deliver his "budget address" - the official release of his proposed budget for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. Many of us on the Appropriations Committee that chair subcommittees will now take on the task of deliberating and understanding each of the agency/department needs and wants.

Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs Public Hearing

This week the Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs held a public hearing. We had approximately 25 speakers deliver testimony on a number of legislative proposals currently up for review in the committee.



You can find a recording of the hearing here

Education & Appropriations Committee Public Hearing

Last week, we held an approximately 9 hour joint Appropriations and Education Committee Public Hearing.



Throughout the day, we heard from approximately 188 speakers who came out to testify HB 5003 - a legislative proposal to make a change in funding for magnet schools, charter schools and regional agricultural science and technology education centers and would change the state’s Education Cost Sharing model.



I want to thank everyone who came out to speak on this very important bill. Thank you all for holding on through this marathon meeting!

Women Between Cultures Group Visits the State Capitol!

I was so excited to have some surprise visitors stop by at the Capitol this week! I was proud to introduce the "Women Between Cultures" group on the floor of the House of Representatives and share how awesome of a group they are for New London!

Women Between Cultures is a group that enjoys working with all women, especially immigrant women, to teach them their rights, share and provide mental health resources, offer workshops, and teach crafts and skills to help families in Southeastern Connecticut.



It was so great to see them today! Thank you Amparo Bustamante, Nathy Oliva, Carmen Cordova, Marleni Bencosme, Emilia Ortiz de Villate and Lizbeth Polo Smith, it was great meeting with each of you. 

Raising the Black Heritage Flag at City Hall

Over the weekend, I had the privilege of joining our community to kick-off Black History Month. We stood, sang and raised the Black Heritage flag at New London City Hall. Special thanks to Council President Reona Dyess, Rashad Umrani, Josh Anurbannerd Brown and the youth for participating in the event.

Honoring Lonnie Braxton for his Black History Month Displays

Please join me in extending a huge "thank you" to Lonnie Braxton for his continued dedication and service. Lonnie's mentoring to many of us, leadership and amazing character is so appreciated.

 
Year after year Lonnie Braxton has devoted his time to creating a Black History Month display each February at the city’s public library. Read all about the display in a recent article from The Day

Celebrating 5 Years of Official Cutz Barber Shop 

I had the amazing opportunity to stop by Official Cutz Barber Shop and present a Connecticut General Assembly citation and a plaque to owner Mathew Holeman. Mathew has been in business 5+ years and is being honored for his positive peer support and connection to many youth in the community.



I've known Mathew for several years, I am extremely proud to see his success, dedication, and great work ethic. Matthew never fails to give back to the City of New London.



Be sure to stop by and give them a congratulations and thanks.

Congratulations to our ECC Champions! 

Please help me in congratulating our ECC Champions Kmara Royster and Darielys Arnold! Thank you for your tireless work to be champions for our community.

Welcome to New London's Newest Officer

Please join me in welcoming our newest police officer! Gabriel Carew was sworn in this week in City Council Chambers.

Why We Should Know About Ann Petry: A Panel Discussion

Join Waterford RISE in recognizing and celebrating author Ann Petry tomorrow, February 11 at 3PM at the Waterford Public Library. The discussion will be moderated by Stephane Browder, with panelists including Lonnie Braxton, Jose B. Gonzalez, and Kate Rushin. 



Food and childcare will be provided. To register visit www.waterfordpubliclibrary.org and click on the events calendar. 

Increasing and Diversifying the Educator Workforce

The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity (CWCSEO), will be hosting a New England Regional Forum, "Increasing and Diversifying the Educator Workforce" on Friday, February 17 at the Legislative Office Building in Hearing Room 1D from 3PM-5PM. 



Connecticut is struggling with a teacher shortage as well as the lack of diversity in the teacher workforce. Educator shortages are a real crisis, especially in special education! It is crucial to unite and be proactive about addressing these concerns now!



For more information email denise.drummond@cga.ct.gov

New London NAACP Prayer Breakfast

The New London NAACP will host a prayer breakfast featuring guest speaker Chief Brian Wright on February 25 at 9:30AM at Ocean Beach. Tickets are $30.

First-Time Homebuyer Workshop

The Housing Resource Center offers a First-Time Homebuyer Workshop on the second Saturday of each month from 9AM-3PM at 727 Bank Street. Learn about seeking pre-approval for a mortgage, making an offer, and the closing process.



Attending a workshop satisfies education requirements for down payment assistance and CHFA mortgage loan financing. Limited seating is available and pre-registration is required by the Tuesday before class, email rain@NLHHC.org or call (860) 505-9900 x112 to sign-up. 

CT State Admissions Application Now Open for Fall 2023 Enrollment

Connecticut's community colleges are becoming CT State on July 1, 2023 and applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2023 semester! Students can still apply for Winter ’22, Spring ’23, and Summer ’23 at their individual campuses.



And don’t forget to apply for financial aid!

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness—and their family members, friends and supporters—can make the call to or chat online with the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, where trained counselors are ready to talk confidentially 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.



Call the hotline at 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838) - calls are free and confidential. 

World Cancer Day

The more we know about cancer, the more lives we can save. Learn more about key issues, closing the care gap and more at worldcancerday.org.

January is National Poverty in America Awareness Month

Connecticut House Democrats are committed to fighting poverty in our state and helping connect those in need with valuable resources like the ones listed below.
  • Food Financial and Social Work Assistance through Connecticut Department of Health and Human Services: bit.ly/3Yb8FkA
  • United Way 2-1-1 Infoline is your one-stop connection to the local services you need, from utility assistance, food, housing, child care, after-school programs, elder care, crisis intervention, and much more. 2-1-1 is always ready to assist you to find the help you need. Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at my Capitol office at 860-240-8512 or email me at Anthony.Nolan@cga.ct.gov. Don't forget to "Like" my official Facebook page and follow me on Twitter for news and legislative updates.

 

Sincerely,



Anthony Nolan

State Representative

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