March is Women's History Month

March 6, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are having a great week.

Please read below for updates in our community!

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March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions women have made to our communities, our state, and our nation. Here in Connecticut, countless women have shaped our history through leadership, innovation, advocacy, and perseverance.

While this month offers a special opportunity to reflect, their stories deserve to be honored all year long. From historic homes and museums to landmarks connected to groundbreaking achievements and social movements, our state is rich with places that preserve and share the legacy of women who helped shape Connecticut’s past and future.

Take some time to explore these meaningful sites and learn more about the women behind them.

Click here to view a list of historic landmarks across Connecticut that are deeply connected to women’s history and the stories that continue to inspire generations today.

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Hamden Day at the State Capitol will be held on April 8. This day is an opportunity to showcase what makes our town great. All are welcome to attend. If you are a Hamden based business and are interested in attending, please scan the QR code below.

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It has been a busy few weeks in Hartford.

During last week's session, the House passed two significant bills - SB 298 and SB 299.

SB 298 is a comprehensive measure that advances several key priorities for our communities. It delivers millions of dollars in targeted grants and earmarks to support local projects and organizations.

It supports first responders by aiding the firefighter cancer relief fund and increases reimbursement rates for intermediate care facilities. The bill also updates child support enforcement, behavioral health regulations, and freedom of information and election laws to improve efficiency and transparency.

For workers, SB 298 establishes stronger, worker-friendly standards for warehouse operations, including a clear private right of action so employees can seek damages if workplace standards are violated. It revises police training standards for interactions with individuals with disabilities, adjusts municipal pension calculations, and repeals a prior building code change to ensure responsible development standards. It also includes a certificate-of-need change designed to support UConn Health.

SB 299 addresses bottle redemption fraud following the increase in Connecticut’s beverage container deposit. The bill increases penalties for fraudulently redeeming out-of-state containers and lowers the threshold from 2,500 to 1,000 containers before identification is required at redemption centers. These changes protect the integrity of the system while maintaining the 10-cent deposit.

Together, these measures invest in education, workers, healthcare, public safety, and consumer protection — delivering support and clear standards that benefit residents, businesses, and communities across Connecticut.

On Friday, I joined members of the Tax Equity Caucus for a press conference that highlighted key proposals for the 2026 session. Click here to check out the press conference.

Committee work has been ramping up over the past few weeks. The Housing committee recently had a marathon public hearing that lasted nearly 12 hours.

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I also attended several events in the district.

Last month, I had the honor of presenting each 9U Hamden Hurricane Pop Warner football team member a citation for winning their Division 2 championship.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Hamden Town Hall! We had a productive conversation about our community and how the Hamden delegation is working hard on your behalf in Hartford.

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The Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) will hold their annual Women-Owned Business Day on April 8 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

This event is an excellent opportunity for women entrepreneurs to connect with legislators and discuss issues that impact small women-owned businesses daily. Check out the graphic for more information.

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The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program will accept applications through March 10. This program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses.

Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.

All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% State Median Income (SMI) gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill. For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant, apply as soon as possible. Please note: this is the last GPCT Energy Assistance Application Cycle this season.

Click here to learn more.

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The deadline to file your taxes is right around the corner. 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

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Governor Ned Lamont has officially proclaimed March 9–13 as Civic Learning Week in the state of Connecticut. This nationwide initiative highlights the vital role of civic education and engagement in preserving and strengthening our constitutional democracy.

By focusing on deepening public understanding of democratic values, rights, and responsibilities, this effort aims to empower citizens with the knowledge and tools needed to actively participate in democratic processes.

Through diverse educational programs, discussions, and events, Civic Learning Week fosters a collective commitment to upholding the principles of justice, equality, and freedom that are central to a thriving, inclusive society. Ultimately, it seeks to ensure the health and vitality of democracy for generations to come.

Click here for a list of in-person and virtual programs that you can take part in throughout the week.

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced that guiderail and attenuator upgrades will be performed on Route 15 southbound in North Haven, Hamden, and New Haven Exit 58 A - 46. This project is scheduled to be completed on Friday, April 17.

The right lane will be closed from 7:00 PM - 5:00 AM during the duration of the project. Click here to learn more.

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Upcoming Events

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ICYMI

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 Ignite grants runs through March 18th. You can find additional information on Ignite here. 

The CT Coalition for Climate Action is now accepting applications for the third annual Climate Change Student Poster Contest!

The contest was created to celebrate Connecticut for being one of the first states in the nation to include Climate Change Studies as part of its science curriculum in public schools. Students in grades 5-12 are invited to create and submit a poster that highlights the importance of protecting the environment, and what we can do to reduce climate change.

Students and finalists are invited to the judging at the Capitol on Earth Day, April 22nd between 12–2:30pm. Semi-Finalists will be displayed at the state Capitol and the top three individual winners of the Grades 5–12 category will receive scholarships of $1000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place.

In addition to individual student entries, there will also be a K–4 Classroom Poster Category, with one poster submission per class. The winning classroom will receive a $100 Staples® gift card along with a visit from either Leah Lopez of Save the Sound or Save the Sound’s Soundkeeper, Bill Lucy.

Final poster design and registration form should be emailed as a PDF to CTClimateActionCoalition@gmail.com no later than April 1 at 5pm.

Click here to learn more.

The 2026 Summer Youth Works Employment applications are now available! This year we will not accept walk-in interviews so sign-up for your interview before the spots run out!

Check out their website for more information.