CIF Funding Approval for Optimus, AG Week, and more

March 13, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

It has been a very busy and productive week at the Capitol, with many of the committees holding public hearings on crucial bills, listening to testimony from hundreds of advocates, professionals, and residents on proposed bills. Many other committees have held meetings to debate which bills will continue moving through the legislative process and on to the House and Senate Floors, which is known as JFing a bill. If you have any questions, concerns, or if my office can be of assistance to you, please call my office at any time or email me at kaitlyn.shake@cga.ct.gov.

A note of thanks: It was wonderful to see Stratford residents up in Hartford this week advocating for local organizations and bills through public testimony! Thank you to all the Stratford residents who have reached out to my office this week about the ECS funding bills. I am a proud co-sponsor of both H.B. 5002 and S.B. 7 and will continue to advocate for increased education funding as these bills move through the legislative process.

This Week in Legislative Committees Meetings

The Labor and Public Employees Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday, March 10th, on various remaining bills we had left to hear testimony on. Thank you to all the workers and union members who came to testify before our committee this session. During this public hearing we heard testimony on H.B. 5496, S.B. 435, S.B. 442, three bills I am proud to co-sponsor this session. Your input on proposed Labor and Public Employees legislation helps determine which bills will move forward and how they can be shaped to best support our workers and public employees. Click here to read the full 03/10 agenda. The committee held a meeting on Thursday, March 12th, to begin debating which bills will move out of our committee and on to the House and Senate. Click here to read the full 03/12 agenda.

The Human Services Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday, March 10th, on various bills, including some on services covered by Medicaid, the Diaper Partnership Grant Program, and other bills concerning health services and resources across the state. Our committee will continue public hearings next week as we hear testimony from professionals and advocates who are impacted by the proposed bills. Click here to read the full agenda.

The Public Safety and Security Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday, March 10th, and a second on Thursday, March 12th. During these public hearings, we continued to hear testimony from first responders and law enforcement professionals from across the state on different issues ranging from cybersecurity to S.B. 410, An Act Concerning Firefighter Cancer, which I am proud to co-sponsor this session. Thank you Shelley A. Forker, a Stratford Firefighter for testifying in our committee and for all you do for the community. Click here to read the 03/10 agenda. Click here to read the 03/12 agenda.

CT Family Resource Center Alliance Advocacy Day

Thursday, March 12th, I attended the CT Family Resource Center Alliance Advocacy Day at the Capitol. I had the opportunity to speak with members of Stratford Parents' Place and hear from them about the work they are doing in our community to support parents and families. Thank you to the CT Family Resource Center Alliance for hosting this event to bring together family resource professionals from across the state. The work these centers do in our communities make a real difference for our families.

Greater Bridgeport Medical Association Award

This Friday, March 13th, I attended the Greater Bridgeport Medical Association Irish Awards Breakfast, during which I was honored to receive the GBMA Legislator of the Year Award. I am beyond grateful to be recognized for my work in the legislature and commitment to public health. I will continue to advocate for the health needs of all residents of all ages and incomes. This is an incredible honor and thank you to GMBA for hosting us Friday morning.

Connecticut Children's Hospital
Resident Advocacy Day

This Friday, March 13th, I attended the Connecticut Children's Hospital Resident Advocacy Day. This was an opportunity to meet with doctors and medical residents from Connecticut Children's, UConn Medical, and Quinnipiac Medical, as well as across different medical fields to discuss the legislative and advocacy process. I participated in a panel discussion alongside Senator Jeff Gordon, also a Doctor, and other medical advocates to take questions from the medical residents in attendance and keep them engaged in advocating. It was wonderful to share insight and hear stories from these residents as not only a state representative, but also a nurse.

CIF Funding Approval for Optimus

This Tuesday, March 10th, the Community Investment Fund (CIF) Board held a meeting to approve funding for several projects across the state. The CIF Board approved $2,434,360 for Optimus Health Care, INC. for the OB-GYN and Pediatrics departments, including the completion of the first-floor interior renovations to increase building safety and accessibility. This funding will benefit Stratford residents who rely on Optimus for primary health care and medical treatments. The CIF approval of these funds is a major step forward in securing this funding. The Bond Commission will now vote on the project for final approval.

Developmental Disability Awareness Month

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

I’m proud to live in a state that recognizes the dignity, talent, and rights of people with developmental disabilities, not just in words but in action.

In recent years, Connecticut has passed meaningful legislation to expand services and improve the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including:

Making historic investments in special education
Reducing Medicaid waiver waitlists
Funding for supportive housing grants
Compensation for family caregivers
Investing in community-based care

National Agriculture Week

March 16th to 20th is National Agriculture Week. Connecticut may be a small state, but its agricultural impact is significant. More than 5,000 farms operate across 372,000 acres, and the state’s agricultural industry contributes approximately $4 billion annually to Connecticut’s economy. In addition to food production, the industry supports a broad network of related activities, including processing, distribution, and agribusiness. Altogether, agriculture provides around 30,000 jobs statewide, making it an important source of employment and economic stability.

Connecticut residents also benefit from year-round access to fresh, locally grown food. With more than 100 farmers’ markets operating across the state, consumers have many opportunities to connect directly with local farmers and producers. Choosing locally grown foods not only supports farmers and strengthens the state’s economy, but also promotes healthier communities by increasing access to fresh, nutritious products.

Celebrate National Agriculture Week by supporting local farms. Click here to explore all things Connecticut Grown, from fresh local foods to farms and farmers’ markets across the state!

Free Tax Preparation Assistance

With the tax deadline approaching on April 15th, now is the time to take action if you haven’t filed yet. There are several free resources available this year for anyone who needs to file state and federal taxes.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help for low-to moderate-income (under $58,000) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Volunteers, sponsored by various organizations, receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Visit Connecticut's 2-1-1 website and the Free Tax Help page for VITA assistance updates, or visit the IRS Site Locator.

AARP's Tax-Aide Program, a partnership between the AARP Foundation and the Internal Revenue Service, provides free tax counseling and preparation services to middle-and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to people age 60 and older. Many sites will e-file your federal and Connecticut returns at no cost to you. Visit the AARP Tax-Aide Site Locator to find a location near you.

The UConn Law School Tax Clinic is a pro bono (free) legal clinic that provides free legal help to low-income taxpayers with tax problems, either with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Lisa Perkins, Clinical Professor & Director, and law students will work on your case. The Tax Clinic also works with attorneys in Connecticut who volunteer to help low-income taxpayers pro bono. The Tax Clinic is independent and separate from the IRS and DRS. It is important to note that the UCONN tax clinic is only able to assist individual taxpayers with Connecticut income tax problems. Contact Lisa Perkins at lisa.perkins@uconn.edu or 860-570-5165

Stratford Community Updates

There are many opportunities to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day around Stratford and the surrounding towns this weekend and over the next week. Find different events happening in the area below.

There will be new school bus safety regulation implemented in Stratford based on a law the Connecticut General Assembly passed in 2025. Starting this week, the Town’s warning period will begin, when 63 buses in the Stratford bus fleet will be equipped with advanced stop-arm safety technology to detect vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus.

The warning period will run through April 12the and the first tickets will be issued on Monday, April 13th.

When a violation is captured, footage will be reviewed by the Stratford Police Department before a citation is issued. The minimum civil penalty for a first-time offense is $250, with no points assessed on the driver’s license.

View the calendar below for the weekly Stratford Eats schedule of community meals, food pantries, and other food resources in the Stratford community.

Sterling Community Center has opened their scholarship applications for graduating seniors who plan to continue their education. Click here to for more information and learn how to apply.

The Stratford Library will have a Women's History Month Grab and Go bag for grades 6-12. Pick up a bag from the Lovell Room from March 9th to 20th.

Stratford PAL is offering a seminar to youth that are interested in pursuing a career in a trade after high school on Saturday, March 21st from 9:30-11:30 at Mill River Country Club. This will be a networking opportunity you do not want to miss... and it's FREE! Open to all students (town residency is not required), 13-21 years old.