New Voice for the Environment, Commitment to Maternal and Infant Health Services, and more

July 25, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are all keeping cool in this heat and enjoying summer! If you or anyone you know is in need of a cooling center, please call 2-1-1 or go to 211.ct.org to find the updated published list of cooling locations. In this week's email you will find information about new bills signed into law, local and state resources, and more.

I am proud to be named a "New Voice for the Environment" by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) as your State Legislator!

CTLCV also grades legislators on a scale from 0% to 100% based on their votes on environmental priority bills in committees, the Senate, and the House. The 2025 final score is the average of the legislator’s votes on key bills. I was one of 34 members in the General Assembly to receive a score of 100%. This recognition is a great honor and responsibility.

At a time when we are seeing more catastrophic effects of climate change, I believe it is critical that we as legislators take action. I am proud to have voted for policies that support protecting the environment, preserving our beautiful natural resources, and fighting for environmental justice here in Stratford and across Connecticut. To learn more about the CTLCV scorecard, click HERE.

A Commitment to Maternal and Infant Health Services

As a Registered Nurse specializing in women and maternal-child health for over 10 years, I know that supporting maternal and infant health doesn't begin in the delivery room.

It starts with access to care, education, and resources, long before pregnancy.

Connecticut committed to providing access to maternal health services during the 2025 legislative session with the passage of HB 7102, An Act Concerning Maternal and Infant Health Care, and HB 7214, An Act Concerning Maternal Health.

As a proud co-sponsor of this legislation, I am thrilled that these bills were signed into law this week!

HB 7102 requires the state to develop a strategic plan to increase the number of birth centers and birthing hospitals in parts of the state with high percentages of Medicaid recipients and limited access to these facilities.

The bill also expands perinatal mental health services and strengthens family support, including programs that aid fathers in supporting maternal health.

HB 7214 enhances hospital transparency and accountability in maternal care by establishing a task force to assess the availability of perinatal mental health care services and identify care gaps. It also calls for an advisory committee to study doula-friendly practices in hospitals.

HB 7102 and HB 7214 affirm Connecticut's dedication to ensuring safe, high-quality care, regardless of race, income, or zip code.

Protecting our Seniors and Veterans

Seniors and veterans deserve the strongest resources we can provide. That’s why my colleagues and I passed important legislation to expand services for both groups.

Our goal is to ensure they can easily access healthcare, financial support, and community programs. By removing barriers, we aim to make it simpler for them to obtain the assistance they need. We are committed to policies that meet their needs and support all the veterans and seniors in our communities.

National Hire a Veteran Day

This Friday, July 25th, on National Hire A Veteran Day, we recognize the value veterans bring to our workforce. Looking to hire? Here’s why vets make outstanding employees:

✅ Leadership experience
✅ Strong work ethic
✅ Team-focused mindset
✅ Resilient under pressure
✅ Skilled in tech & logistics
✅ Trained problem-solvers

Hiring Veterans in CT: portal.ct.gov/services/jobs-and-employment/hiring-a-veteran

Disability Independence Day

July 26th marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Join me in celebrating this milestone in the fight for equity, access, and inclusion. Let’s continue working to ensure Connecticut is a place where everyone can thrive, without barriers. ♿️🌟

Korean War Veterans Day

Often called the “Forgotten War,” the Korean conflict was anything but forgettable for those who served. Thousands of brave Americans answered the call, including many from right here in Connecticut.

Every year on July 27th, we pause to remember their courage, honor their sacrifice, and ensure their legacy is never overlooked. They didn’t ask for recognition, but they deserve it.

West Nile Virus in Connecticut

According to the CT Mosquito Management Program, mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Bridgeport, Stamford, and Easton. There have been no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Connecticut so far this season.

Residents should take steps to prevent mosquito bites at this time of year. Those steps include the following:

Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
While outdoors, use mosquito repellents containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA registration of skin-applied repellent products indicates that they have been evaluated and approved for human safety and effectiveness when applied according to instructions on the label.
Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored, loose-fitting, and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin, an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes and ticks.
Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
When sleeping outdoors, use tents or mosquito netting in an unscreened structure. Treat camping gear with permethrin when possible.
Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito nets when outside.

For more information on the latest testing results and locations, visit the CT Mosquito Management Program and the CT Agricultural Experiment Station.

CT Paid Family and Medical Leave Expansion

This session, I was a proud co-sponsor of legislation that expands Connecticut's Paid Family and Medical Leave coverage to as many as 50,000 public and private school employees, such as paraeducators, library support staff, and custodial and food workers. This change will go into effect later this year on October 1st, 2025. The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority is hosting a series of informational webinars throughout July, August, and September to help school staff prepare. Check the flyer below for upcoming session dates and details.

Comptroller Report on Big Beautiful Bill

What is in the One Big Beautiful Bill and what does it mean for you, your family, or your business?

This week, State Comptroller Sean Scanlon released a report to break down the big impacts and help you understand the good and bad of this huge new law. Click HERE to read the report.

WBDC August Grant Applications

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) announced the next round of its Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs.

The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million. The application period for this grant runs from August 5 through September 16, 2025. You can find additional information on Ignite here.  

Our Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program offers grants targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs from August 1 through August 31, 2025. You can find more information on our Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants here.

Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here.

Stratford DOT Updates

ROUTE 113

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced that a milling and resurfacing project will be performed on Route 113 in Stratford. This project is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 7th, and be completed on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025. Once completed, all traffic lines, including crosswalks entering the Paradise Green area, will be repainted, helping to increase public safety measures!

The project consists of milling and resurfacing a 1.64-mile segment of Route 113 in Stratford from Route 1 (Barnum Avenue) to Route 110 (Main Street).
⚠️This project is scheduled to begin milling on Monday, July 7th, to Saturday, July 12th, 2025.
⚠️The resurfacing segment of this project is anticipated to begin on Sunday, July 13th, to Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025.

🚧 LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO 🚧
Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 113 from Route 1 (Barnum Avenue) to Route 110 (Main Street) in Stratford. 👮🏽‍♂️Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. The work schedule for this project is from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Sunday night to Saturday morning.

Surveying on I-95 North and Southbound in Stratford

Connecticut Department of Transportation announced that Survey Operations will be performed on Interstate 95 north and southbound in Stratford starting on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

⚠️This project is scheduled to occur on Saturday, July 19 and be completed this Saturday, July 26, 2025.

🚧 LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO 🚧
There will be various lane closures on I-95 north and southbound at Exit 32 in Stratford on Saturday, July 19 and Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Traffic control signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone.

Local Stratford Updates

Teens in Stratford — want to make a difference in someone’s life (including your own)?

💚 Learn how to recognize mental health challenges, support your friends, and connect to help.
📍 Free classes July 28, 30 & August 1 at Birdseye!
🧠 Certification included — sign up today

The Sterling Center will have FREE lunches this summer for students from Stratford Schools. Visit the Sterling Center weekdays from 11:45 am - 12:15 pm to pick up your meal or visit any of the other locations listed below!

Sterling House is getting ready to support our Stratford students with everything they need to head back to school with confidence, and they need the community's help! They are collecting donations for a Back to School Supply Giveaway now through August 15th. The Back to School Giveaway will take place on August 20th from 5-6:30 p.m. at Sterling Community Center.

Celebrate National Lighthouse Day at the Stratford Point Lighthouse on August 7th from 1:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Reservations are required to be admitted into the lighthouse on National Lighthouse Day. Lighthouse grounds, keeper's cottage, and foghorn building will be open to the general public. You must reserve a time for your admission into the lighthouse.

Click here for more information and to register

The Stratford Health Department is offering Immunization & Physical Clinics for school-aged children to help them get ready for the new school year! Call 203-385-4090 today to schedule an appointment.

Let’s keep our kids healthy and classroom-ready!

It is Paradise Green Farmer's Market Season! Every Monday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Paradise Green. This is a great chance to support our local CT farmers and businesses.

Summer is back in Stratford, and the pool at Sterling Community Center will be open for Community Swim on June 28th! Every Saturday, starting at the end of June through August 23rd, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the pool will be open to everyone for $3 per person.