House Democrats Education Funding Press Conference, School Meals for All, and more

March 20, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Happy First Day of Spring! 🌷

The 2026 short legislative session continued this week as committees worked through long public hearings listening to state agencies, advocates, and professionals. Multiple committees also met this week and passed bills that will now be referred to screening and other committees as deemed appropriate. This is part of the legislative process that occurs prior to bills eventually making it to the House and Senate Floors for a vote. Be sure to follow along by checking the weekly CGA calendar here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/.

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.

I hope everyone had a Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ☘️ 🇮🇪✨

We are cheering for our Stratford and Bunnell High School Boys Basketball teams this Sunday as they compete in the CIAC Boys Basketball State Championship games at Mohegan Sun!

This Week in Legislative Committees Meetings

The Human Services committee held a public hearing this Tuesday, March 17th, during which we heard hundreds of advocates and residents testify on critical community services and health care affordability. I want to thank everyone who testified in our committee and for sharing your stories to help us shape policies that will strengthen Connecticut. During our meeting on Thursday, March 19th, we began voting on raised bills to JF to the floor.

The Labor and Public Employees committee held meetings this week on Tuesday, March 17th, and Thursday, March 19th. During both meetings, we were continuing to vote on moving bills out of the committee and to the House and Senate Floors. One bill that our committee voted on was H.B. 5003, a bill I am proud to co-sponsor this session, which aims to increase workforce development efforts and improve working conditions in the state.

The Public Safety and Security committee held a meeting on Tuesday, March 17th, to vote to move many of our committee bills to the House and Senate floors. One of the major bills passed out of our committee this week was H.B. 5046, which I am proud to co-sponsor. This is a critical bill introduced by Governor Lamont, focused on the recruitment and retention of our first responders. I am happy to report that after weeks of advocacy H.B. 5046 and the House Priority H.B. 5003, now include additional language to support EMS. These bills are not final yet and I will keep everyone updated as we move through the next steps before these bills make it to floor for a vote! Thank you to all the first responder advocates and organizations for contacting and working with us in Public Safety & Security and Labor and Public Employees.

Ferry Boulevard Flood Mitigation
Project Press Conference

Thank you to Governor Ned Lamont for joining us in Stratford on Monday, March 16th, to highlight the flood mitigation project at Ferry Boulevard in the 120th District.

The Community Investment Fund’s approval of $5.5 million dollars provided critical infrastructure funding to support the flood mitigation project at Ferry Boulevard and Broad Street. The project improvements, including raising the elevation of Ferry Boulevard and Broad Street and replacing the bridge over Ferry Creek, will protect homes, support local businesses, and improve the quality of life for the Ferry Creek area.

I’m grateful to have worked with Representative Joe Gresko and the Stratford delegation to secure this funding, and to the legislature for its support in making this community investment possible.

House Democrats School Funding Press Conference

This Monday, House Speaker Matt Ritter, Majority Leader Jason Rojas, and members of the House Democrats held a press conference to advocate for increased education funding for cities and towns across Connecticut.

House Democrats are proposing to use a portion of the state’s projected surplus to provide $100–$170 million in one-time support to municipalities. This investment would help schools meet rising costs while easing pressure on local property taxes, providing important relief for both municipalities and residents.

Our goal is to deliver more education funding to our municipalities to support our kids and provide tax relief.

By prioritizing student needs, this plan could bring a 2%–5% increase in Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding to communities like Stratford. That support will help our schools manage rising costs, invest in student success, and reduce pressure on local taxpayers.

This support would be in addition to our current education funding and is intended to ease budget pressures, helping our towns avoid property tax increases while stabilizing local finances and supporting our schools.

I strongly support the efforts of Speaker Ritter, Majority Leader Rojas, and the rest of my House Democratic colleagues. We do have more work to do, but this is an important step toward giving every child in Stratford and across Connecticut the resources and opportunities they deserve.

School Meals for All

On Tuesday, March 17th, I participated in School Meals Advocacy Day, because no child should have to learn on an empty stomach. Hunger has no place in our classrooms, yet too many students still face that reality every day. Access to basic nutrition should never depend on paperwork, eligibility thresholds, or a family’s income level, it should be a given.

This session, I am proud to co-sponsor H.B. 5144: An Act Concerning Funding for School Meals, which represents a critical step forward. It’s not just about food, it’s about equity, dignity, and giving every child the foundation they need to succeed. When we remove barriers to access, we remove stigma. When every student can eat without question or qualification, we create a system that works for all, not just some.

Investing in universal school meals is an investment in our children’s health, their education, and their future. Let’s ensure that no child in our state is asked to learn while hungry.

Warehouse Workers Bill Signed by Governor Lamont

Governor Ned Lamont has signed the Warehouse Worker Protection legislation into law, marking a significant step forward in strengthening labor protections across Connecticut. This new law is designed to safeguard employees working in warehouses and fulfillment centers, industries that have seen rapid growth alongside increasing concerns about worker conditions and productivity demands.

The legislation establishes clear boundaries around the use of performance quotas, ensuring that such expectations cannot interfere with workers’ legally mandated rights, including meal periods and bathroom breaks. Employers are now required to be transparent about any quotas in place, meaning workers must be informed in advance of the specific performance standards they are expected to meet.

Importantly, the law also introduces accountability measures. Employees who experience violations of these protections now have the ability to recover costs or damages they may incur as a result.

The law positions the state as a regional leader in advancing worker rights and reflects a broader national trend toward increased oversight of workplace conditions in high-demand logistics sectors.

Endometriosis Awareness Month

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.

1 in 10 women live with endometriosis, yet so many suffer in silence.

Connecticut has taken steps forward, including forming the Connecticut Endometriosis Working Group to study gaps in care, improve education, reduce diagnostic delays, and strengthen support for patients statewide.

During Endometriosis Awareness Month, I recommit to policies that center women’s health and validate patient experiences.

Here are some valuable resources for those suffering from Endometriosis:

Stratford Community Updates

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 Booth Memorial Train Museum will be open this Saturday, March 21st, from 1 - 4 PM. please stop in and see the seven operating train layouts.

The Stratford EMS has graciously helped Boothe Memorial get its own AED and will conduct instructions for members at 11AM.

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.

The Stratford Library Association and Obodo Serendipity Books will hold a discussion of Joan Lunden’s new book. Be inspired by her willingness to step out of her comfort zone while reinventing herself and the environment around her. This event is happening Saturday, March 21st, at 1 p.m. at the bookstore.

No need to have read the book. They will be giving away 10 of her books at the discussion. You must attend the program to get a book.

For more information and to register: https://stratfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/16458845

Open Door Tea will hold a Pysanki Egg Dyeing "tea-ch in" class. Learn the art of wax-resist patterns and celebrate this beautiful tradition over a cup of tea. The class will take place on March 26th, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Open Door Tea.

The Stratford Health Department will hold the next Raymark Superfund Site Public Meetings on March 25th and March 30th, both will take place at 300 Ferry Boulevard, or can be attended online.

Save the date: The Southwestern CT Agency on Aging will be attending the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities Resource Fair that's coming up on April 23rd!