Equal Pay Day, DPH Cuts and Students visit the Capitol

March 28, 2025



 

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March 25th marked how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year – an undeniable reminder of the persistent wage gap and the ongoing fight for gender equality in the workplace. Equal Pay Day highlights the system barriers that continue to disadvantage women, particularly women of color, who face even wider pay disparities.

In Connecticut, we are making significant strides to close this gap through legislation like HB 6517: An Act Concerning Disclosures of Salary Ranges on Public and External Job Postings.  I am a proud co-sponsor of this legislation which:

  • strengthens pay transparency
  • bans employers from asking about salary history
  • ensures that workers are paid fairly based on skills and expertise

There is still work to do. Pay inequity affects families, communities, and the overall economy. When women are paid fairly, households are stronger, children have better opportunities, and businesses benefit from a more motivated and diverse workforce.

Together, we are working toward a future where equal work means equal pay for everyone. We can build a Connecticut where no one is shortchanged simply because of their gender.
 
 

DPH Federal Funding Cuts

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) was notified that 6 grants were terminated by the federal government resulting in almost $150 million dollars in cuts to the agency.  These grants are NOT COVID-19 funds, their purpose was to help build critical public health infrastructure and have helped to modernize core functions of DPH such as birth and death registries, moving from a paper based disease reporting system to an electronic one, providing essential public health services for mental health and addiction, and tracking emerging and active diseases potential spread throughout the state.  

The loss of these funds will hinder DPH's ability to track and prevent public health crises in our state moving forward and will challenge our ability to share real time information on these crises as they emerge.  Many DPH staff and consulting staff will be cut and many contracts to vendors have received stop work orders.
Click here to learn more
 

Students Visit the Capitol

CREC Academy of Computer Science and Engineering HS visit
 
Last week was a busy week filled with students visiting the Capitol.  I was happy to host my students from CREC Academy of Computer Science and Engineering High School as well as Third Graders from Center Road School.
 

AG Day at the Capitol


Rockville High’s Bee Club made a buzz at AG Day at the Capitol! 
 
Last Wednesday FFA (Future Farmers of America) club members met with legislators to share how they started and maintain their own beehives, along with producing and selling out of their honey!

This incredible club was created by students, who secured donated beekeeping equipment, and is advised by Molly Allard, the Agricultural Mechanics teacher in the ASTE (Agricultural Science & Technology) program.
 
From hive to honey jar, these students are shaping the future of agriculture!
 
 

Problem Gambling Awareness Month


As March Madness heats up, here’s a friendly reminder not to get too carried away.
 

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign to promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services for problem gamblers.

The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates about 2 million people in the U.S. meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem, while another 4 million to 6 million people experience mild or moderate issues. The cost to the country -- $14 billion annually – is incredibly steep. Yet the ability to place a sports-related bet has never been easier – in most cases just a few clicks on a smartphone.
 

The lower barriers to placing bets and the removal of the social stigma on gambling have had devastating consequences for some. Indeed, one of the most vulnerable demographics to problem gambling is youth. The NCPG and Responsible Play CT cite data that shows more than 75% of college students have gambled in the last year.
 

There are state and national resources for help.

  • Responsible Play CT offers information and a toolkit on problem gambling.
  • The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling offers trained helpline specialists who connect callers to free, immediate support & treatment options in Connecticut. Its number is 888-789-7777.
  • The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (860-344-2244) offers problem gambling services.
  • The National Problem Gambling Helpline is available at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
  • The NCPG's problem gambling toolkit can be found by clicking here.
 

Community Events

Click the image below for more information on the Holistic Healthfest.
 

Spring Happenings in CT


From exploring the outdoors to waterfront adventures to parks, gardens, museums, and much more.  Click the image below to access the 2025 Guide of the Best Things to do in Connecticut this Spring.

If you are ready for an outdoor hiking adventure join the 2025 Sky's The Limit Hiking Challenge.  Click the image below for information on how to participate and a list of the hiking locations.

For those of you who love to run click the image below for a list of all of the 5K Runs in Connecticut this Spring.

Support local farms this spring and summer, click the image below to get a list of Farmer's Markets all across the state.  It's always fun to incorporate stopping by a Farmer's Market in a day trip.