Robert Sanchez

New Britain's education system continues to get better. This year we are blessed to have the new Smalley Elementary School open on West Street. Having fought for state funding of Smalley, I am thrilled it is finally open for our students.

There are some new state laws this year that affect our students. Please join me from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at Smalley Elementary, 175 West St., New Britain, to hear about the new laws and ask any questions. I look forward to seeing you there.

The back-to-school season serves as a reminder that the cold months of winter are fast approaching and many residents across the state will be in need of assistance to pay their heating bills.

We made great progress during the 2019 legislative session. As I outline in my newsletter to New Britain residents, we passed bipartisan legislation that improves the lives of working families, encourages economic growth and makes critical investments in the future of our children, as well as our state. Click here to read my newsletter. Click here for Español.

Today is a great day for Connecticut. Governor Ned Lamont signed into law legislation we worked hard to pass -- the nation's most generous Paid Family and Medical Leave law.

Led by Rep. Bobby Sanchez, co-chair of the Education Committee, the House of Representatives approved legislation Wednesday for including African-American, Puerto Rican and Latino studies in the public high school curriculum.

Hourly minimum-pay employees are moving closer to a living wage. The House has approved House Bill 5004 to increase the minimum wage incrementally to $15 in 2023. The last time the minimum was increased was in 2017. No one who works full-time should have to live in poverty.

Puerto Rican Day at the State Capitol is May 29. A roundtable discussion titled “Somos de Aquí” will focus on the rich history of the people and culture of Puerto Rico in Connecticut through the eyes of historians, academics, local and state leaders, and students