DPH Funding Cuts, CTFastrak 10th anniversary and Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April 7, 2025


 


 

The onslaught of news everyday out of Washington can be overwhelming. 
 
Just days after cutting $155 million in public health aid to Connecticut, President Trump’s administration froze $14 million earmarked for 22 Connecticut school districts.
 
Government waste can be a problem, but gutting whole agencies or trying to clawback monies that were already distributed to our state isn’t the answer. Our kids, families, seniors, and our state and local budgets rely on this funding. 

Later in the week, President Trump and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the federal staff that run the federal government's low income heating assistance program - LIHEAP. Thousands of low-income Connecticut residents -- seniors, people with disabilities and families -- depend on the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program. The impact of this cut is yet to be realized. Plus, staff in the Administration of Children and Families who administer the Head Start program were eliminated. In CT, 21 programs rely on Head Start funding to support essential early childhood care for kids and their families. 

Simply put, there's no good reason for such debilitating cuts. On top of that the latest news on tariffs means a tax on nearly everything we buy. A tariff is a regressive tax which means middle class and low income families will be hit the hardest. At the same time the Trump Administration plans to give a big tax cut to billionaires. To address this and our already unfair tax code, I will continue to advocate this session for ways to provide real relief to Connecticut residents, including a permanent child tax credit for families.  

We have to stay engaged, stay active and stay informed. Together, we will weather this assault on our community, our state, and our country.
 
Speaking of staying engaged, thank you to everyone who joined me at Joey's Pizza Pie for delicious pizza as I hosted my Pizza and Policy Office Hour. We had great conversations about health insurance, federal funding cuts, services for people with disabilities, road safety, and much more. Please continue to reach out anytime with your concerns, questions and ideas through this uncertain time. 
 

LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

Last Friday was extra special in welcoming Wolcott School students to the legislative office building. I asked them what they would want as a new law if they were a legislator. They had some great ideas and want new laws for a 5 hour recess, a candy machine in every classroom, no speeding and no taxes. Plus, I had a few students who wanted to ask how my dog Lizzie was! 
 

On March 28, 2015, CTFastrak became the first bus rapid transit system in the state. Last Friday I joined a celebration for its 10 year anniversary.  CTfastrak is the country's #1 rated bus rapid transit system and has resulted in a decade of progress and economic growth. With four stations in the 20th District, CTFastrak is an important asset to our communities. You can listen to my remarks below. 
 
 

On Monday I was proud to take part in and support The International Transgender Day of Visibility at the Capitol.  

In 2025, as hate continues to rise, I remain committed to fighting for equality, dignity, and the rights of all trans people. Together, we will push forward, ensuring a future where every trans person can live authentically and without fear. To the trans community - I stand proudly with you and see you, support you, and will fight for you every day. I will continue to be an ally of our LGBTQ Legislative Caucus and support our efforts to protect and celebrate our LGBTQ neighbors, friends and family. 
 

Finally, as a member of Connecticut's Bi-partisan Women’s Caucus I was honored to attend a legislative briefing by the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation on the brand-new research report, “Toward Equity: Investing in Women and Girls for Connecticut’s Future."

The report examines the status of women and girls during the first quarter of the 21st century; urges deeper investment in equity-driven solutions; and challenges philanthropy and policymakers to center gender and racial equity, creating a stronger, more inclusive Connecticut where everyone can thrive.
 
Some of the numbers that stood out to me yesterday:
  • 48% of Connecticut’s labor force is women, but they experience poverty at a greater rate than men
  • only 26% of women work in STEM
  • Connecticut is 5th in the nation for childcare costs, and 94% of childcare workers in CT are women
  • One in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime
 As you can see, the report is a mix of progress and challenges, and the report contains many recommendations for policymakers. When women succeed, we all succeed. You can find their Toward Equity report HERE.
 

STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES

On Wednesday, April 9th at 12:00 P.M Club Level, Rentschler Field in East Hartford Talent MADE will have Lunch, Link, and Leadership Office Hours with state and private sector leaders for one-on-one conversations.

This event is built for engagement, connection, and action.  You will have a chance to connect with peers and panelists through interactive main stage content and network over lunch with the people shaping Connecticut’s economy.

Click here for more information and to register.
 

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and I would like to share with you that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is taking a stand with the launch of a statewide Distracted Driving Awareness and Enforcement Campaign to help keep Connecticut Roads Safe.

In partnership with State and local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the campaign will step up efforts to enforce distracted-driving laws for the month of April. 

Nationally in 2022, 3,308 people were killed, and nearly 290,000 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. In Connecticut in 2022, the last year of verifiable data, there were 5,318 crashes attributed to distracted driving that resulted in eight fatalities and more than 787 injuries.

The CTDOT urges drivers to prioritize safety by eliminating distractions while driving. Follow these simple tips to stay safe on the road:

  • If you need to send or receive a text, pull over and park in a safe location before using your phone
  • Designate a passenger to manage calls and messages while you drive
  • Avoid social media use while driving—no post is worth risking your life
  • Do not use a vehicle’s “infotainment” screen or other portable video players while operating a motor vehicle
  • If you struggle to resist checking your device, enable the “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or place your phone out of reach in the glove box or back seat until you arrive

Click here for more information on distracted driving prevention.

The CTDOT is announcing that pavement markings within the Greater Harford area. This project is scheduled to occur on Sunday, April 6 and be completed on Friday, November 7, 2025.The project consists of pavement marking grooves, centerline rumble strips and epoxy pavement marking applications on center lines, shoulder lines and handwork on the following State Routes.
  • Route 174 (New Britain Ave), New Britain Town Line to Route 173 (Willard Ave) - Newington
  • Route 287 (Prospect Street), Route 15 (Berlin Turnpike) to Route 3 - Newington/Wethersfield
  • Route 15 (Berlin Turnpike), Route 287 (Prospect Street) to Nott Street - Newington/Wethersfield
  • Route 176 (Main Street/Hartford Avenue/Newington Avenue), Route 5/15 to Hartford Town Line - Newington
  • Route 175 (Cedar Street/East Cedar Street), Route 173 (Willard Avenue) to Hawley Street - Newington
  • 84 Westbound, Exit 46 On-Ramp-to Exit 43 Off-Ramp - Hartford/West Hartford
  • 84 Eastbound, Mayflower Street Overpass to Exit 46 Off-Ramp - Hartford/West Hartford

The CTDOT will hold a public information meeting concerning a sidewalk installation on Route 175 in Newington, on Wednesday, April 30, 6:00 P.M. at the Newington Town Hall at 200 Garfield Street, Newington. 

Right-of-way impacts are anticipated through permanent easements for the construction of the sidewalk.  Construction is anticipated to begin spring 2026. The estimated cost for this project is approximately $2.6 million with 80% federal funds and 20% state funds.  
 
Members of the public may submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by Wednesday, May 14, to Devin.Racicot@ct.gov or (860) 594-2735. Please reference Project No. 0093-0251 in the email or voice mail.

Click here for additional information.
 


On Saturday, April 5th from 1:00 P.M.-4:00P.M. at the West Hartford Town Hall there will be a Teen Wellness Fair.  This free event is open for students in grades 6-12.