Updates from Rep. Chris Poulos for March 6

March 6, 2026

 
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Dear Neighbor,

What a great community event last week at Mount Southington Ski Area honoring Southington’s own Olympian, Austin Florian! I was honored to help organize this Welcome Home celebration and recognize Austin’s incredible achievement representing the United States at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

I was especially proud to present Austin with an official state citation recognizing his accomplishments, including the record for the fastest start in skeleton racing, along with the Connecticut state flag that was flying over the State House while he was competing. Check out the highlight video by clicking on the image below.
Celebrating Southington's hometown hero

Between press interviews, fans had the opportunity to see Austin’s Olympic gear up close, and he stayed until every single person who wanted an autograph or selfie had the chance to meet him. That humility and dedication truly reflect the kind of athlete and person he is.

I’m proud of our community for coming together with such patriotic spirit to support one of our own. Congratulations, Austin, and thank you for making Southington proud!

Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks as always for taking the time to read them!
 

Tour of Southington Businesses: Mohawk

Recently, my Tour of Southington Businesses brought me to Mohawk Northeast. I valued the opportunity to meet the management team and owner Allan Heinke, and tour the company with Commerce Committee Chairman, Rep. Steve Meskers.

This family-owned business, founded in 1967, has emerged as a leading bridge and marine contractor with major military and government projects. I was very impressed and saw firsthand the amazing work Mohawk provides in driving Connecticut’s economy across the region. We are fortunate the company's headquarters are located in Southington. Check out the video recap of the tour by clicking on the image below.
Visiting Mohawk Northeast and the Cyberknights

Mohawk also supports the future workforce by hosting the Southington High School CyberKnights robotics team and providing space for students to learn and innovate. Companies like Mohawk help attract business, grow jobs, and strengthen our communities.
 

Fighting for Veterans & Teachers

My colleagues and I are currently considering legislation within our respective committees, and I continue to advocate on behalf of our veterans and teachers.

I joined the Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee for a public hearing on House Bill 5413, which would provide free dental care for eligible Connecticut veterans. I was proud to welcome Southington advocates Rachel Wache and Larry Ireland to the Capitol to testify in support. Their testimony was well received and reflected the strong grassroots effort behind this bill.

I’m also grateful to my father — a Southington Veterans Committee member, retired Army LTC, and Chair of the Dental Committee Subcommittee — who has led this legislative effort and testified remotely in support of the proposal.
 
During the hearing, I outlined and justified the proposal for expanded dental care in discussion with the Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner. You can see this exchange by clicking on the image below.
Discussing veterans dental care with John Carragher, 
Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner

I look forward to continuing to support this Southington-led proposal  — which aims to improve the health and quality of life of our veterans — as it moves through the legislative process. 

At an Education Committee meeting, I shared my concerns about House Bill 5217, which would convert the State Board of Education (SBOE) into an advisory group and remove its authority to supervise and control the state’s educational interests.

I believe the SBOE, which is comprised of students, teachers, and other key education stakeholders, provides a vital check and balance in shaping and implementing education policy. As an active classroom teacher, I am committed to ensuring that the perspectives of teachers, students, and families remain at the policy table. Click the image below to hear my full comments.
Explaining why less oversight is concerning to future education policy
 

Advocating with CT’s Deaf Community

It was a pleasure to attend the Connecticut Association of the Deaf (CAD) annual breakfast this week, at which they advocated for expanding access to American Sign Language (ASL) education.

During the event, I spoke and joined them in their support of Senate Bill 312 (Sec. 2), which establishes an ASL education working group to create a statewide plan to strengthen instruction, certification pathways, and workforce development. As a world language teacher who has taught Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, I shared that ASL is more than an elective — it is a language and a bridge to opportunity.
 
After the breakfast, CAD members joined me at the Education Committee public hearing to testify in support of the bill. I’m grateful for their advocacy and proud to stand with them in advancing inclusive education in Connecticut.
 

Rogers Orchards Receives State Grant

Congratulations to Rogers Orchards for receiving a $10,250 award from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Farm Transition Grant program. It supports the agricultural industry as they diversify farm businesses, expand value-added production, and improve efficiency.
 
The grant that was awarded will provide funding to help develop better ways to use Connecticut-grown fruit, reducing waste and supporting the creation of more locally made ciders and related products. As a former employee of Rogers Orchards, I couldn’t be prouder of its success.
 

YMCA Person of the Year

Congratulations to Terry Gomez Lombardi, the 2026 YMCA Person of the Year! This award honors a member of the Southington community whose actions make our town a better place to live. At the ceremony, I was proud to speak and personally congratulate Terry on this well-deserved recognition. I also joined Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco in presenting a citation from the Connecticut General Assembly acknowledging Terry's outstanding contributions.
 

Pharmacy Day at the Capitol

I had the pleasure of attending Pharmacy Day at the Capitol, hosted by the Connecticut Pharmacists Association, where I had the opportunity to speak with constituents and future healthcare leaders.

The event brought together pharmacists, student pharmacists, and policymakers to discuss key legislative issues affecting patient access to care and the sustainability of pharmacy practice in Connecticut. The conversation included fair and sustainable reimbursement models that ensure timely, affordable health care. It was inspiring and informative to hear firsthand perspectives from those shaping the future of healthcare in our state.
 

Teacher Talk

The next stop on my Legislative Session Listening Tour will be with Southington Teachers on Monday, March 16 at 4 p.m. at the Southington Education Association (SEA) office at 16 Cornerstone Court, Plantsville.

SEA is hosting this event, and all members are welcome to attend. As a teacher and member of the Education Committee, I will share relevant legislation and answer questions.
 

Consider the Conversation

Talking with loved ones about topics like inheritance, property, long-term care, finances, and final arrangements can be difficult — but these conversations are essential for ensuring everyone’s wishes are understood and respected. Join local experts for an informative and supportive discussion designed to help families navigate these important issues with confidence and care. 
 

Monday, March 16
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Southington Calendar House


Experts will be on hand to provide guidance, answer questions, and offer practical advice to help you and your family plan ahead. Please RSVP by calling the Calendar House at (860) 621-3014. Seating is limited to 25 participants.
 

Nothing But Net!

Join the community for an afternoon of family fun at a free basketball tournament! The event will be held Sunday, March 15 from 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Southington High School gym.

The tournament includes local teams, a kids halftime shooting contest, and other fun activities. Thank you to the Southington Education Foundation and the DePaolo Family Foundation for sponsoring this event.
Click here to register
 

Community Services Library Drop Off

Donating food or clothes? The Southington Public Library has a donation bin for Southington Community Services near the door by the Circulation Desk.
 

Preschool & Kindergarten Registration – Fall 2026

Reminder- Registration for Fall 2026 preschool and kindergarten is underway or starting soon. If you have a child born in 2022 or 2023 who will attend a part-day, school year-based preschool program, now is the time to explore your options.
 
For incoming kindergarten families, a Kindergarten Registration Information Presentation will be held on Monday, March 9 at DePaolo Middle School (snow date: March 16). Pre-registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation starts at 6:00 p.m. Online registration opens Tuesday, March 10.
 
For full details — including parochial schools, Open Choice and Magnet programs, extended preschool, and homeschooling — visit the linked ECCS information pages below.
Preschool
Kindergarten
 

Next Week’s Public Hearings

Here are the upcoming public hearings taking place the week of March 9 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Click here for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing. You only need to register if you wish to provide testimony. If you want to observe the hearings, tune into the proceedings live on the committee’s YouTube channel.

You can also stay connected and actively participate by:

  • Reading summaries of bills from nonpartisan and unbiased researchers from the Office of Legislative Research
  • Viewing the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events
  • Follow CT-N for live coverage of meetings, House floor debates, and more
  • Click here to register to monitor any bill's journey in the legislative process
 

Spring Ahead!

A reminder to SPRING AHEAD this weekend for Daylight Saving. Set your manual clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday night!
 

Developmental Disability Month

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to foster understanding, break down barriers, and celebrate the talents and achievements of people with developmental disabilities.

Disabilities are part of the human experience, and we must promote inclusion at every opportunity. You can show your support by wearing orange, the official color of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, symbolizing energy and positivity.
 

As always, if I can be of assistance, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Chris.Poulos@cga.ct.gov. Don't forget to "LIKE" my Facebook page for news and legislative updates!

Sincerely,

Chris Poulos
State Representative  
 

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