Commemorating Memorial Day, Absentee Voting for All, and Funding for Dairy Farmers

May 22, 2026

I hope this email finds you and your family well. Wishing everyone a meaningful Memorial Day as we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten.

There is plenty to get to in the email below, so make sure to keep scrolling for more on:

  • Shady Oaks Assisted Living 50th Anniversary
  • Absentee Voting for All
  • Funding for Dairy Farmers
  • 2026 Major Public Acts
  • Early Childhood Business Grant
  • Community Events

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at any time.

Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by members of our military and their families. We honor those who gave their lives so that we may live in freedom and peace. Let us never take their sacrifice for granted, and let us strive to live in a way that honors their memory every day.

On Monday, May 25 take part in the Bristol Memorial Day Parade which begins at 10:00 a.m. at 10 Main and will end at the gazebo on Memorial Boulevard.

I was honored to join Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu and Tyson Belanger owner of Shady Oaks Assisted Living in celebrating their 50th anniversary.

 

Founded in 1976 by Tyson’s parents as a residential care home, Shady Oaks became just the second licensed assisted living facility in all of Connecticut. Over the past five decades, it has built a remarkable legacy of compassionate care and dedication to its residents and their families.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the team at Shady Oaks demonstrated extraordinary commitment by bringing campers onto the property to create a safe on-site living arrangement for employees caring for residents. Thanks to these efforts and their unwavering dedication, the facility experienced no COVID-related deaths among its residents.

Shady Oaks is truly an exceptional place, and it was wonderful to celebrate this incredible milestone and the people who have made such a lasting impact on our community.

Absentee voting for all eligible voters is now law in Connecticut, expanding access to the ballot box and giving every qualified voter the option to cast their vote by absentee ballot.

This change comes after Connecticut voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in 2024 supporting absentee voting for all, marking a major step forward in modernizing and strengthening voter access across our state.

Public Act 26-42 removes certain restrictions that previously limited absentee ballots to voters who could not appear in person on Election Day for a narrow set of reasons. With this change, any eligible voter who prefers to vote absentee may now do so.

The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. Expanding access to absentee ballots strengthens participation, increases flexibility, and ensures every voter has a convenient and secure option to make their voice heard.

To vote by absentee ballot, eligible voters must complete an absentee ballot application and submit it to their town clerk. Applications can also be submitted online through the Office of the Secretary of the State’s secure portal. For more information on applying for an absentee ballot, visit myvote.ct.gov.

Connecticut’s dairy farms are small, family-owned businesses that support local jobs and provide fresh, nutritious food to communities across our state. To help sustain these vital local operations, we are proud to announce that $22.5 million has been allocated from Connecticut’s Federal Cuts Response Fund we created to provide immediate relief to the approximately 80 dairy farmers in the state.

Recent federal actions have placed many of these family-run farms under severe financial strain. Much of the pressure stems from federally set milk pricing structures that favor large corporate operations over smaller Connecticut dairies, along with tariff policies that have increased the cost of essential supplies such as fertilizer and farm equipment while triggering retaliatory trade measures from key export partners. In addition, the U.S. conflict with Iran has significantly driven up fuel and fertilizer costs, further burdening farmers already operating on narrow margins.

With the legislative session now concluded, the Office of Legislative Research has released its Major Public Acts report, highlighting many of the significant bills passed by the House and Senate this year. Covering topics ranging from state finances and housing to solar energy and more, the report offers a comprehensive overview of key legislation impacting Connecticut residents.

Click on the above photo to view the report.

The Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) and Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) have begun accepting applications for the OEC-WBDC Program Operations Grants. 

OEC and WBDC are offering grants of up to $50,000 to qualified Connecticut early childhood businesses to support operations and preserve child care access. The Operations Grant provides short-term funding to support OEC-licensed early childhood education programs. The grants are designed to help programs maintain their existing early childhood slots. 

Grants will be awarded to eligible programs serving high and medium-needs families, as defined by OEC. This funding is intended to support operational expenses, including staffing, materials, facility costs, and other business needs that ensure ongoing services to families and communities. 

This is a ONE-TIME funding opportunity. Click here for more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply.

May is Water Safety Month! Registration for Summer Learn To Swim (LTS) opens on Tuesday, May 26 and classes will begin on July 4.

Click here for more information and to register.

Summer Specialized Swim Lessons (designed to accommodate individuals with special needs or circumstances) is also offered at all three pools on Saturdays from July 4 to August 22. Click here for more information.

If you are not sure what level to register for click here to check out the skills in the Red Cross Achievement Booklet OR schedule a swim test at DMAC by calling (860) 584-3837.

The Bristol Bazaar is home to over 75 local makers, unique gifts, creative workshops, and Yellow King Bristol.

Shop small, support local and explore thousands of handmade treasures in our one-of-a-kind indoor market space. Open 6 days a week (67 Race Street), click here for more information.