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State Representative Mary Fortier and I joined with the Office of Governor Ned Lamont today to celebrate the opening of CT State Tunxis. This is CT State’s second-largest Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center—a cutting-edge facility preparing students for rewarding careers. This new facility will go far to train more students for careers with our local manufacturers.
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As a Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee member, I'm constantly looking for ways to support our students and workforce. I also hear from many West Hartford and Newington manufacturers who are trying to fill positions and educate students and parents alike about the benefits of a manufacturing career. Learn more about the manufacturing programs and more at CT State.
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March 25th was Equal Pay Day which marks how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. Connecticut’s women working full time, year-round typically make only 84 cents to the dollar of men. The gender gap is more severe for Black women(59 cents), and Latina (49 cents) women compared to white men in our state.I hosted a press conference with my colleagues to bring awareness to this issue and highlight HB 6517: An Act Concerning Disclosures of Salary Ranges on Public and External Job Postings which can continue to close this gap. House Bill 6517 would amend the current law on salary transparency by requiring employers to disclose salary ranges on public and internal job postings.
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Together, we are working toward a future where women are paid what they are worth.
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This week, the General Obligation Bonding Subcommittee completed two of four State Agency Hearings. As a member of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee I also serve on this subcommittee which is focused on our bonding as a state for capital projects.
These state agency hearings are essential for ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in government decision-making. They also help ensure that our agencies use bonded dollars for capital projects in a sensible and financially responsible manner.
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Our state agency leaders and employees play a vital role in keeping our communities running smoothly. Their dedication ensures the delivery of essential services, and their commitment to public service—often in demanding roles—makes a real difference in people’s lives every day. To date we have met with over 15 agencies. Following all of these agency meetings, we will make recommendations for what is in the bond bill with recommended capital projects for the Finance Committee.
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The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) was notified that 6 grants were terminated by the federal government resulting in almost $150 million dollars in cuts to the agency. These grants are NOT COVID-19 funds, their purpose was to help build critical public health infrastructure and have helped to modernize core functions of DPH such as birth and death registries, moving from a paper based disease reporting system to an electronic one, providing essential public health services for mental health and addiction, and tracking emerging and active diseases potential spread throughout the state.
West Hartford and Newington health district immunization programs are also being affected. The loss of these funds will hinder DPH's ability to track and prevent public health crises in our state moving forward and will challenge our ability to share real time information on these crises as they emerge. Many DPH staff, consulting staff, as well as contracts to vendors have received stop work orders.
These cuts are harmful and careless. No matter what, I will continue to work to protect our residents’ health and safety.
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Join me on Tuesday, April 1st for my Pizza & Policy Office Hour. I look forward meeting with you in person to hear your questions and concerns.
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Also, there is an upcoming forum in Newington on the important topic of housing. I hope you will join us on April 15th.
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| STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES |
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If you are ready for an outdoor hiking adventure join the 2025 Sky's The Limit Hiking Challenge. This year, the “Cross Your Trees and Dot Your Skies” theme is a poetic way of embracing the beauty in Connecticut State Parks and Forests - observing the way nature connects everything. Fifteen State Park and Forest locations are identified for participants to explore, with varying scenery and highlights at each location. Click the image below for information on how to participate and a list of the hiking locations.
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a tree removal operation will be performed on I-84 east and westbound from Exit 34 in Plainville to Exit 46 in Hartford.
There will be ramp and lane closures on I-84 east and west bound from Exit 34 in Plainville to Exit 46 in Hartford starting Monday, April 7 to Friday, July 11, 2025, during the hours of 7:00 P.M. to 5:00 A.M., Monday – Thursday. Traffic will be detoured. Traffic control personnel signing patterns and trailer mounted attenuators will guide motorists through the work zone.
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Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area. No work will be performed around any scheduled holidays.
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As March Madness heats up, here’s an important reminder. March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign to promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services for problem gamblers.
The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates about 2 million people in the U.S. meet the criteria for a severe gambling problem, while another 4 million to 6 million people experience mild or moderate issues. The cost to the country -- $14 billion annually – is incredibly steep. Yet the ability to place a sports-related bet has never been easier – in most cases just a few clicks on a smartphone.
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The lower barriers to placing bets and the removal of the social stigma on gambling have had devastating consequences for some. Indeed, one of the most vulnerable demographics to problem gambling is youth. The NCPG and Responsible Play CT cite data that shows more than 75% of college students have gambled in the last year.
There are state and national resources for help.
- Responsible Play CT offers information and a toolkit on problem gambling.
- The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling offers trained helpline specialists who connect callers to free, immediate support & treatment options in Connecticut. Its number is 888-789-7777.
- The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (860-344-2244) offers problem gambling services.
- The National Problem Gambling Helpline is available at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
- The NCPG's problem gambling toolkit can be found by clicking here.
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Many families have youth sports equipment they are no longer using, which can be repurposed. This is a great way to help families with the cost of getting their kids involved in sports. There is a Gear Up for Youth Sports equipment drive in West Hartford from March 31-April 4.
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All donated sports equipment will be FREE at the April 6th event.
Bring your equipment to any drop-off locations between March 31 and April 4th. Please do not bring helmets, clothing, uniforms, or broken/damaged items. Donations are also accepted on the day of the event, April 6th.
Drop-off locations:
- The Bridge Center, 100 Shield Street
- West Hartford Town Hall Lobby, 50 South Main Street
- Elmwood Community Center Lobby, 1106 New Britain Ave
To get equipment, come to West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium, 50 South Main St., on Sunday, April 6th, from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. The event is open to all families.Gear Up for Sports is organized by local parents with support from The Bridge Family Center’s Teen Leadership Committee and the Town of West Hartford Leisure and Social Services Department.Email any questions to WHGearUpForSports@gmail.com
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