Mary Fortier

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol’s 5th Annual Gala, Glowing Up In The Club. It was an inspiring evening that brought together community members, supporters, and leaders to celebrate the incredible impact the Club has on young people in Bristol.

I was proud to join Scott Rosado, Chair of the Board of the Bristol Boys & Girls Club, along with many dedicated advocates who are committed to creating safe, supportive spaces where youth can learn, grow, and thrive. Events like this not only highlight the Club’s important work but also help ensure it can continue to serve and uplift the next generation.

Photo Courtesy: Aaron Lopez/The Bristol Edition

After facing the threat of closure just a few years ago, Civita Care Sheriden Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is now entering a new chapter, one defined by renewed investment, revitalization, and a strong commitment to the community it serves.

I was excited to mark this milestone by attending a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating not just physical upgrades to the facility, but a broader transformation focused on improving quality of care, enhancing the resident experience, and supporting dedicated staff. The renewed investment signals a long-term vision for stability and growth, ensuring that residents and their families can continue to rely on compassionate, high-quality care close to home.

Civita Care Sheriden Woods’ turnaround reflects the power of community partnership and perseverance, turning a moment of uncertainty into an opportunity to rebuild and move forward with purpose.

On Monday, I joined Iris White, Superintendent of Bristol Public Schools, and Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu for a call to action urging increased funding for our public schools. Together, we highlighted the growing needs of students, educators, and districts, and the importance of ensuring schools have the resources necessary to deliver a high-quality education.

This effort comes on the heels of the creation of a new commission tasked with evaluating how public schools are funded and identifying more sustainable, equitable funding solutions for the future. The commission’s work will play a key role in shaping long-term policy and ensuring that funding keeps pace with the evolving needs of our communities.

Democratic House leadership is optimistic that Connecticut school districts could see a $170 million increase in funding as part of this legislative session. This potential investment would provide meaningful support to districts like Bristol, helping to strengthen educational programs, support staff, and better serve students across the state.

This week the House passed legislation to make sure our 2026 elections are free and fair with House Bill: 5001: An Act Concerning Absentee Voting For All And Various Other Reforms to the Administration of Elections.

We took steps to:

• Modernize our absentee ballot laws and vote counting procedures
• Create more safeguards to ensure your vote counts
• Protect our elections from corrupt outside forces

Additionally, we’ll empower the Attorney General to prevent people from interfering with our elections, among other provisions.

People’s right to vote is under constant attack around the country, but here in Connecticut, we’re making sure elections are free and fair.

In an effort to ensure that children do not fall through the cracks when they are withdrawn from public school, House Bill 5460: An Act Concerning the Provision of Equivalent Instruction establishes a set of procedures that balance student safety with the rights and privacy of parents who are responsibly educating their children.

These measures are designed to maintain appropriate oversight and communication between families and schools, while respecting parental choice in education. Key provisions in the bill include: 

• Creating an annual notification form for all students to indicate whether a child will be attending a public school, private school, or being homeschooled. This helps ensure accurate enrollment tracking and supports continued engagement with families.
• Requiring schools to check Department of Children and Families (DCF) records for any active protective orders or open cases of abuse or neglect prior to a child being withdrawn from school. This step is intended to help ensure that any necessary safeguards are in place for vulnerable children during transitions.

Together, these procedures provide a balanced approach that prioritizes child safety, improves accountability, and respects the rights of parents and guardians.

Starting May 1, Connecticut residents can expect some welcome relief on their energy bills. Earlier this week, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) approved an interim decision to lower residential electricity rates across the state.

Under this change, rates will decrease by approximately 4.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, about $30 per month for the average Eversource customer, and 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour, or roughly $34 per month, for the average United Illuminating customer.

This reduction is largely driven by a drop in the public benefits charge, which will now appear as a credit on customers’ bills rather than an added cost, at least through September. Much of this shift is tied to long-term energy contracts negotiated by Millstone and Seabrook nuclear power plants. These agreements provide electricity at stable, fixed prices, helping shield ratepayers from the volatility of fossil fuel markets.

The state’s continued investment in a diversified energy portfolio has helped cushion the impact of rising natural gas prices this winter, underscoring the value of a balanced and forward-looking energy strategy.

Customers should begin seeing these lower rates reflected in their bills starting May 1, with the reductions expected to remain in place through at least September for most households.