Standing Up for My Colleague and Retirement Security Discussion,

August 22, 2025


Earlier this week I joined my legislative colleagues along with Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Senator Richard Blumenthal to stand in solidarity with my friend and public servant Rep. Corey Paris.  As you may have seen in the news he received disgusting death threats after he shared generic information that ICE was present in Stamford. 

For exercising his First Amendment rights, Rep. Paris has faced vile attacks, even reposted by our own federal government on their official Facebook account. It is horrifying to see the United States government targeting a state-elected official in an attempt to silence free speech. This behavior only fuels a climate of hate and violence.

Hearing about these threats firsthand fills me with fear—not just for Rep. Paris’s safety, but for the future of our entire country. He did nothing wrong or illegal, yet he was unfairly attacked by those sworn to serve us.

No matter what, we stand united for Corey and against this hate and violence intended to intimidate and silence our voices.
 

LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

This week, I had the pleasure of joining fellow Connecticut legislative colleagues at the Council of State Governments Eastern Regional Policy Forum in Providence, Rhode Island.

It was an honor to present on Connecticut’s historic investment in early childhood education as part of the Education & Workforce panel, alongside experts from Rhode Island and Quebec. I also had the opportunity to engage in thoughtful workshops on transportation, housing, and fiscal oversight, learning from policymakers and practitioners across the eastern region—including our Canadian neighbors.

I’m excited to bring these insights back to Connecticut as we continue working to make our state more affordable and navigate the challenges brought by recent federal funding cuts.

Also, this week I had the pleasure of joining Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Mark Boughton, and Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli at WestFarms Mall for Sales Tax-Free Week in Connecticut.

This is a great opportunity for families across our state to save money as they prepare for the school year. From now through August 23, most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from sales tax—helping ease the cost of back-to-school shopping. To see the full list of eligible items and exclusions, click here.

Take advantage of these savings while you can - especially from our local businesses!

Finally, I had the privilege of participating in two union events this week. I visited the Retirement Security Meeting alongside Council 400 retiree leaders, fellow legislators, the former CSEA President, and Social Security and retirement experts from across the country. As a member of the Finance Committee I was invited to speak about the budget and challenges for our state revenues moving forward. 

A heartfelt thank you to CSEA SEIU Local 2001 for hosting such an amazing and informative event. These conversations are crucial as we work together to ensure a secure retirement for all.

I also had the honor of meeting Phondeshi, one of my constituents who works as a dietary aide in a nursing home at SEIU 1199. Every day, she cares for others with dedication and hard work. Yet, despite her commitment, it shouldn’t be this difficult for her to take care of herself and her children.

Unfortunately, many Connecticut residents like Phondeshi are feeling the strain as costs rise and life becomes increasingly challenging.

Here in Connecticut, we must do better. We must fight for people like Phondeshi and take immediate action to build a state where everyone—not just the wealthy few—has the opportunity to thrive.
 

STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES

It's an exciting time of the year for our kids and educators who will head back to the classroom soon! I hope every student has an amazing start to the new school year. 

This is also a time to remind drivers that the law requires you to slow down for school buses in your neighborhood. Here is the breakdown for any driver who fails to stop when a school bus is displaying its flashing red signal lights:

  • First offense: $450 fine
  • Following offenses: $500 - $1,000 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both
Click here for more information
 

Cycle and Stroll at West Hartford “Center Streets” on Sunday August 24th from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

The open-street festival in West Hartford Center is where you can stroll, skate, dance, or bike around a four-block loop — without cars — in the central business district: Farmington Avenue, South Main Street, Memorial Road Extension, and LaSalle Road. Children play games, participating restaurants offer brunch specials, merchants feature discounts, and live music is performed all morning. 
 

Attention college students, Connecticut law allows you to receive an absentee ballot if you cannot appear at your assigned polling place on Election Day because of absence from the town in which you are eligible to vote. Click here if you are a college student and would like to request an absentee ballot for the State of Connecticut.

For important voter information visit the Connecticut Secretary of State site for all the information you may need.
 

The Hate Crimes Investigative Unit of the Connecticut State Police has just released a new brochure that contains vital information on recognizing, reporting, and preventing hate crimes within our communities.

The goal is to ensure that every community leader is equipped with the necessary resources to foster a safe and inclusive environment for all residents. The brochure includes detailed guidelines on how to identify hate crimes, the steps to take if you or someone you know is a victim, and the support services available.

By working together and staying informed, we can make a significant impact in reducing hate crimes and promoting unity and understanding within our communities. 

The Connecticut Intelligence Center's Suspicious Activity Report which, once you click on the link, can be translated into 18 languages, by clicking in the upper right hand corner of the webpage.  Anybody can fill this out anonymously if they have witnessed any suspicious or illegal activity - Suspicious Activity Reporting Form. This form does not replace calling 911 if you are in immediate danger. However, it is another tool for individuals/communities can use to report suspicious activities across the state.