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I hope you and your family had a meaningful Memorial Day Weekend. This week, I spent time at several events around Stratford honoring our local veterans.
In this week's email, you can read about funding approved by the State Bond Commission and Governor Lamont that will positively impact Stratford residents, a new loan program from CHESLA for graduate degrees, state and local resources, and more.
Please continue to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or if my office can be of assistance to you. Call my office at any time or email me at kaitlyn.shake@cga.ct.gov.
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| Stratford Memorial Day Ceremony |
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| This Monday, I attended the annual Stratford Memorial Day Ceremony at VFW Post 9460. Despite the parade being cancelled due to weather, we still proceeded with the important part of this solemn holiday together with Stratford veterans, families, and the community to remember and honor our brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you to VFW 9460 Auxiliary Post members for organizing a moving and meaningful event. We were honored to welcome Governor Lamont and Senator Blumenthal to pay respect to the brave men and women who never made it home. |
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| Wilcoxson Elementary School Troops |
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| Thank you to Wilcoxson Elementary School for its Red, White, and Blue Spirit Day this past Tuesday. This event was an opportunity for Wilcoxson students to honor Memorial Day through local action by participating in different activities to engage with the community. Students held a school-wide collection for toiletries and essential products to send to our troops stationed overseas. It is inspiring to see our youngest residents involved in local efforts to support our brave men and women serving our country! |
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| Annual Stratford Veterans Breakfast |
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It was wonderful to be with our veterans and their families Wednesday morning for Stratford’s annual Veterans Breakfast, honoring all who served. The morning included many local traditions to honor our veterans. This year's program included the Stratford Fire Department and Marine Corps Honor Guard, and Stratford veterans Bill O’Brien & George Grom as the Masters of Ceremonies. Captain James Morgia (104 years old!) sang our national anthem with vim and vigor. The CT Quilts of Valor Foundation honored Navy Vet Roy and Army Vet Bob as the 2026 award recipients. John Jakab from “Memorial Boots” discussed veterans' suicide awareness and support programs available to them. David Wright, Stratford Town Historian, discussed a brief overview of Stratford’s military contributions predating the Revolutionary War. We were graced with a moving “Military Medley” by Stratford High School Select Choir, directed by Jeff Leinen, and Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Barnum Service Unit!
Every year during this event, we continue an important Stratford tradition, where the town gathers together to honor and thank all our veterans for the sacrifices made for our freedoms.
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| Bond Commission Approves Funding for Stratford |
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I am excited to share that earlier today, the State Bond Commission approved funding for two projects that will impact the Stratford community.
The Alliance for Community Empowerment will receive $2 million in funding for renovations to the Holy Name of Jesus Child Care Center in Stratford. This center serves more than 140 families each year, providing high-quality, affordable child care. The renovation project includes a new HVAC system, windows, plumbing, floors, walls, and more. The project will significantly improve the functionality, accessibility, safety, and overall environment.
This is a critical investment for Stratford families who rely on the Alliance of Community Empowerment and their programs for high-quality, affordable childcare. I’m grateful we could answer Dr. Ferguson’s call for additional funding for this childcare facility, ensuring the Alliance of Community Empowerment can stay on track to complete this project by the end of the year. Thanks to the legislature's historical investment of now $600 million in the Early Childhood Endowment Fund, Connecticut is positioned to strengthen our support for children and working families here in Stratford and across our state. Thank you, Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission, for helping to deliver this funding to Stratford. |
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Optimus Health Care will receive $2,434,360 for renovations to the clinic at 982 East Main Street in Bridgeport, which serves both Stratford and Bridgeport residents. The project includes renovations to the OB/GYN, Pediatric, and Dental facilities to improve safety and accessibility. This project ensures that Stratford adults and children who rely on the clinic for care can continue to receive care at this Optimus location for years to come.
For Stratford families, this critical funding matters. Each year, the women’s OB/GYN and pediatric clinic serves hundreds of patients from Stratford, and those families deserve access to dignified, high-quality, affordable healthcare in a facility that can meet the growing demand. As a legislator and a women’s health/maternal-child nurse, I was proud to support this investment because it will make a meaningful difference to improve the health and well-being of my constituents. |
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| CT Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority |
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Back in October 2025, when the federal Department of Education announced plans to drastically limit graduate student loan eligibility and reclassify certain professional degrees, I immediately began pushing for our state to step up. During this legislative session, I worked with the Higher Education Committee Chairs and a strong coalition of professional organizations, unions, and higher ed advocates to include $30 million for CHESLA in the budget. This historic investment in the program is the first of its kind in the country to help combat the federal government's harmful decision and provide financial assistance to graduate students. Now, the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) has officially launched the MyCHESLA Grad Loan program.
The MyCHESLA Grad Loan is a new state-based graduate loan program designed to preserve access to affordable, fixed-rate financing for Connecticut students pursuing advanced degrees following the elimination of the federal Grad PLUS loan program, effective July 1. CHESLA’s new graduate loan program supports students enrolled in both graduate and professional degree programs.
Borrowers can choose from repayment terms of 5, 10, or 15 years, along with flexible in-school repayment options, including interest-only payments, full deferment, or immediate principal-and-interest payments. Combined, these options provide borrowers with nine fixed-rate offerings tailored to meet a range of financial needs.
Importantly, all approved borrowers have equal access to the same nine fixed rates, ensuring a transparent, fair, and consistent pricing structure.
Fixed interest rates for the MyCHESLA Grad Loan range from 5.50% to 7.99%, depending on the selected repayment term and in-school repayment option. The program offers a cost-effective, borrower-focused alternative to higher-cost private student loans, with every available fixed rate remaining below the current federal Grad PLUS loan rate of 8.94%.
Click here to learn more about CHESLA’s loan programs, financial education resources, and application process.
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| $4.1 M Additional State Funding for Greater Bridgeport Transit |
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Greater Bridgeport Transit (GBT) announced this week that they have received $4.1 Million additional state funding that will allow the agency to delay planned reductions to bus service in the Greater Bridgeport region.
GBT recently faced a significant budget shortfall and was evaluating service reductions that would have impacted thousands of daily commuters in the area, including many Stratford residents. These are essential workers, students, and seniors who depend on public bus service as their primary means of transportation.
The additional state funding provides GBT with the financial relief needed to keep more routes running and protect access to mobility for the communities it serves.
I was proud to work alongside Representative Gresko and the Greater Bridgeport Delegation members to secure this critical funding to ensure our residents continue to have access to public bus service in the area. This is a major investment for our community and I am thrilled that GBT can avoid service reductions.
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Replacement of Existing Transmission Line Structures on Route 110 in Stratford:
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that the replacement of existing transmission line Structures will be performed on Route 110 (River Road) in Stratford. This project is scheduled to occur on Monday, May 4th, and be completed on Friday, June 12th, 2026. This project is being performed by Eversource Energy.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
A section of Route 110 (River Road) will be closed near Main Street, starting Monday, May 4th, at 6:00 a.m. to Friday, June 12th, 2026, 8:00 p.m. Traffic will be detoured. Traffic control signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone.
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Bridge Work on I-95:
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will start bridge work on I-95 north and southbound in Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and Stamford starting on Sunday night, April 19th.
This project is scheduled to start on Sunday night, April 19th, and be completed on Friday, July 3rd. This project ensures the bridges remain in a state of good repair.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
There will be various alternating lane closures on I-95 north and southbound between Exit 7 and Exit 36 from Sunday night, April 19th, to Friday, July 3rd, overnight from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Traffic control signing patterns, crash units with illuminated arrows, and State Troopers will guide motorists through the work zone. Bridges to be worked on are 00134, 0111A, 00114, 00113, 0110A, 00108, 00107, 00106, 00115A, 00105A, 06613, 00027, 00028, 00029, 00032.
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Noise Barrier Replacement on I-95:
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has started noise barrier replacement on I-95 between Exits 32-33 in Stratford. This project is expected to be completed next year, in April 2027.
The barrier has reached the end of its useful life and needs replacement. The barrier is being replaced to conform to current standards, which are in accordance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) MASH standards. The existing timber noise barriers have wood rot, broken or missing panels in many areas, as well as vegetative overgrowth.
LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO
Motorists can expect lane closures on I-95 northbound at Exits 32 and 33 in Stratford beginning Wednesday. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. Lane closure operations will generally be limited to off-peak and nighttime hours. No lane closures will be permitted during weekday morning and afternoon peak travel periods (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.). During daytime hours, work will primarily consist of shoulder closures only. One lane closure may occur during late morning and evening hours. During the overnight hours, up to two lane closures are permitted and rolling roadblocks.
The work schedule for this project is from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area.
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| Stratford Community Updates |
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The Town of Stratford will host the annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, June 1st, at 9 a.m. on the Town Hall Green.
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Stratford Day Main Street Festival will take place on Saturday, June 6th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Main Street from Stratford Center to Stratford Avenue. The Main Street Festival is an annual town-wide event celebrating the many organizations, programs, and services the Town of Stratford has to offer, bringing together nearly 200 local vendors, including entertainment, food trucks, booths, and artists. Please anticipate street closures on Main Street from Church Street to Stratford Avenue beginning at 7 a.m. on June 6th.
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The Connecticut Air & Space Center is hosting Warbird Weekend June 5th–7th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature historic aircraft rides, flyovers, aviation exhibits, and more at Sikorsky Memorial Airport. From the legendary P-51D Mustang to the T-6 Texan and PT-13 Stearman, this is a rare chance to experience living aviation history up close. Click here for more.
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The Stratford Veterans Museum Golf Tournament will take place on June 27th at the Short Beach 9 Hole Golf Course. Email svm5952@gmail.com or call 203-449-6139 to register.
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Yours in service,
Kaitlyn Shake
State Representative |
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