Labor Day, and more

September 4, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Monday is Labor Day - a time to reflect and honor the workers that keep our economy working and make our country so amazing.

As your state representative, I will continue to advocate for labor-friendly policies that respect our workers and give them the support they deserve.

Connecticut is powered by the incredible efforts of its workers, and I can't thank them enough for all they do to keep our state moving forward!

In this week's eblast, you can read about free school breakfast for public school students, an early literacy support grant, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.

Drive Sober this Labor Day
Free School Breakfast
Early Literacy Support Grant
Higher Education Registry Now Available
Affordability Survey

Drive Sober this Labor Day

Remember to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over this Labor Day Weekend. There will be extra patrols to keep impaired drivers off the roads from now through September 7. If your plans include drinking, arrange a sober ride before you leave home.

In Connecticut, impaired driving continues to be a leading factor in fatal crashes. In 2024, the most recent year with verified data, 105 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes, representing 34% of all traffic fatalities in the state that year.

Don’t risk your life or someone else’s. Drive sober and get home safely.

Free School Breakfast

This school year, EVERY Connecticut student can start their day with a FREE breakfast, thanks to the $12 million in funding we secured in the state legislature to provide universal free school breakfast throughout the 2026–27 school year.

No student should have to start the school day hungry. Providing free breakfast to every student helps ensure that children have the nourishment they need to focus, learn, and thrive in the classroom. It also gives families one less expense to worry about as they navigate the rising costs of everyday life.

This is an important investment in Connecticut’s students and their futures, and a great example of what we can accomplish when we put kids first.

Early Literacy Support Grant

Students experiencing significant reading difficulties will soon receive help from the state.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker recently announced the State Department of Education has been awarded a five-year, $10 million grant to expand targeted reading intervention for students K-3 with reading difficulties.

The grant supports a statewide initiative that will:

Expand access to small-group reading intervention across a statewide network of 75 elementary schools;
Provide instructional materials, professional learning, ongoing coaching, and tools to monitor student progress and guide instruction; and
Examine the impact of incorporating evidence-aligned positive behavioral interventions and supports into reading instruction to increase student engagement and maximize instructional time

Connecticut has spent millions since 2021 on a comprehensive literacy strategy - investing in literary assessments, instructional materials, professional learning for educators and leaders, coaching programs, and more - and this grant furthers those critical efforts.

The program will begin with a limited number of schools in the first year, with additional schools being phased in over the course of the five-year grant.

With literacy rates declining across the country, it's critical that Connecticut does all it can to help our students from a young age.

Higher Education Registry Now Available

The Connecticut Office of Higher Education recently launched a new Higher Education Registry, giving students and families a centralized resource to explore post-secondary education and career training opportunities across the state.

The registry features more than 4,200 programs offered by over 130 colleges, universities, and private career schools. Students can explore a wide range of options, including certificate and occupational training programs, associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, as well as graduate and professional degree programs.

Click here to learn more about the registry.

Affordability Survey

You are encouraged to take part in the Affordability Survey from the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity (CWCSEO). Your input could lead to change in important policy discussions and shape efforts to make essential needs more accessible and affordable for individuals and families across Connecticut.

The survey focuses on key areas that impact household budgets and quality of life, including access to food, housing, health care, child care, transportation, and utilities. By sharing your experiences and perspectives, you can help policymakers, like me, better understand the challenges Connecticut residents are facing and identify opportunities to build a more affordable and equitable future.

Click here to take the survey and make your voice heard. You must be at least 16 years old.

If you would prefer to discuss these issues in person, you can also participate in the Economic Opportunity Summit on Wednesday, September 9. The summit will provide an opportunity to learn more, share your experiences, and engage in conversations about economic opportunity and affordability.

Click here to register for the Economic Opportunity Summit.