Updates from State Rep. Travis Simms for June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

The biggest issue taking place in Norwalk is the $13.2 million shortfall in the schools budget for FY 26. Proposed cuts, if the schools don't receive additional funding, would be devastating. An estimated 130 teachers would be laid off and music and arts programs would be slashed.

I am a Norwalk native and proud graduate of Norwalk High School. The importance of our city's education system cannot be overstated.

To address the issue, I, along with fellow members of Norwalk's state delegation, held a press conference last week during which we proposed closing the gap with $6 million in state funding. Conditions were attached to the funding, including an agreement not to discuss extending the superintendent of schools contract until the 2026-27 budget was finalized. The $6 million is a direct investment in our children, our teachers, and the educational programs that shape our students' future.

The Board of Education initially approved accepting the funds with the conditions (another of which was ensuring arts and music programs would be preserved). However, that approval was subsequently rescinded after the superintendent of schools objected.

The biggest issue facing the city and school district is closing that massive funding gap. We have to put egos and professional pride aside to solve this pressing problem.

I urge all Board of Education representatives to rise above politics and and do what's right. This is not about power, it's about our kids. Let's put their needs first and move forward.

Juneteenth Celebrations

Later this week and next, many Connecticut communities will celebrate Juneteenth -- the federal and state holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth, which officially falls in June 19, serves as a celebration of the resilience, culture, and history of the Black community. But it also is a stark reminder of how far this country must go in terms of racial equity and equality.

On June 19, 1865, about two months after the end of the American Civil War, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free.

The U.S. government recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021, and Connecticut followed in making it a state holiday in 2022.

While the federal and state governments have only recently recognized the holiday, Connecticut communities have been trailblazers in celebrating Juneteenth.

In 1989, the Norwich Branch of the NAACP organized the first official Juneteenth celebration in the state, and several other towns followed suit in subsequent years.

As part of its 2012 Juneteenth Celebration, Norwich forged the “Norwich Freedom Bell” located in the David Ruggles Freedom Courtyard.

Norwalk’s fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration is Thursday, June 19, from 4 to 9 p.m. on the Norwalk Green, 8 Park St. This free family event is a celebration of art, music, culture, and food, including a DJ, live music and dance, activities for children, and more. The event is being organized by the First Taxing District.

Pride Flag Raising in Norwalk

Pride Month is a time to gather strength, feel joy in being who we are meant to be, and to reflect on our progress, but also how far we have to go. Allyship is what you do when no one is looking and true allyship is needed more than ever.

Click here to watch the ceremony.

Pride in the Park

Pride in the Park will take place Saturday, June, 14 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. This year’s hosts are Bleach, Frankie Cyanide, and Will Beauty. Come together with community and celebrate pride! Parking is available at Maritime Garage (14-minute walk; 23 Marshall St.), The SoNo Collection Garage (20-minute walk; 100 N. Water St.), or Webster St. Municipal Parking Lot (16-minute walk; 55 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.). Learn more at https://ctpridecenter.org/pride-in-the-park.

Dog License Renewal

Attention dog owners - you have until the end of the month to renew or register your fury friend's dog license.

All dog licenses must be renewed for 2025, and any new dogs over six months of age or currently unlicensed must also register at this time. No license may be issued unless a valid rabies certificate, signed by a licensed veterinarian and including the date of the vaccination and duration of immunity, is presented to the town clerk.

Click here to learn about the registration process in Norwalk.

Impact of Connecticut’s Opioid Services Division

Connecticut’s Opioid Services Division was established in 2018 in response to the growing overdose crisis and to expand statewide access to the prevention of opioid use disorder, opioid treatment, recovery support, harm reduction, outreach, engagement, and overdose prevention coverage with a focus on overdose deaths. This marks the third consecutive year of decreases of statewide overdose deaths.

The division manages projects and initiatives that resulted from infusion of State Opioid Response grant funding as well as those approved by the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee. Some of 2024’s improvements include:

💠 Expanded innovative services in the state, adding three and continuing to support original Harm Reduction Centers in municipalities with highest morbidity rates: Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, and New London

💠 Added outreach services via Peer Navigator Programs in two areas of the state;
Distributed close to 60,000 naloxone kits (naloxone is a lifesaving, overdose reversal medication), exceeding the state saturation goal for the year.

💠 Hosted a successful and informative Harm Reduction Conference. The conference included four expert speakers from around the country, as well as two panel discussions, focused on addressing equity, and stigma, 390 individuals attended the conference: 263 in person and 127 virtually.

While we are heartened to see data going in the right direction, we know there is much more work to do to fight this public health crisis. Our hearts are heavy for the 990 individuals who lost their lives to overdose in 2024 and their loved ones whose lives have been forever altered. We remain steadfast in our mission to expand access and availability of life-saving medication, public education, harm reduction, treatment and recovery supports until no lives are lost to drug overdose.

Additional information is available on the DMHAS Opioid Services Division website at portal.ct.gov/dmhas/programs-and-services/opioid-treatment/opioid-services.

Anyone seeking services regarding opioid use disorder in Connecticut should visit www.liveloud.org or call 1-800-563-4086 any time, day or night.

Upcoming Library Events

The Norwalk Public Library will hold several events over the next few weeks. If you want more information, click on the corresponding flyer or visit the Norwalk Public Library website.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions and concerns you may have - I can be reached at travis.simms@cga.ct.gov, or through my office phone at 860-240-8585.

Sincerely,

Travis Simms
State Representative

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State Representative

Travis Simms

Proudly Serving Norwalk

Updates from State Rep. Travis Simms for June 13, 2025