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Happy Friday - I hope you had a great week.
Next Thursday, we remember the 2,996 lives lost on September 11, 2001, the thousands who have died since due to exposure to toxic chemicals, and the countless lives that were forever changed. May we never forget the people whose lives were stolen from us through this act of terror, and all of the first responders, construction crews, service members, and everyday citizens who saved lives and helped our country rebuild.
Though we move further away from that fateful day each year, we must continue to honor those Americans we lost and never stop the fight against terror and for peace.
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I wanted to share with you a statement from the Southeastern Connecticut legislative delegation regarding the future of the Connecticut Sun WNBA basketball team. You can read the release in full below:
STATEMENT OF THE SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION ON THE FUTURE OF THE CONNECTICUT SUN WNBA BASKETBALL TEAM
We, the members of the southeastern Connecticut legislative delegation, are committed to keeping the Connecticut Sun in Connecticut and at their 22-year home at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Montville.
For 22 years, this team has been rooted at Mohegan Sun and located among one of the strongest fan bases in the WNBA. The notion that Boston or anywhere else might try and “steal” the Sun ignores both reality and the will of the fans who have supported this franchise from the beginning.
The WNBA has clearly said: relocation is not on the table. Expansion by 2030 is on the table. Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Portland, and Toronto are the league’s next growth cities -- not Hartford, and not Boston. Pretending otherwise only distracts from what matters: ensuring the Sun’s future here in southeastern Connecticut.
Our region deserves the pride and the economic benefits of hosting a professional sports team. Hartford has its successes -- the Yard Goats, UConn Basketball, Hartford Athletic. But southeastern Connecticut has the Sun, and that matters deeply to our communities.
If the State of Connecticut is prepared to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on becoming a minority owner of The Sun, we don’t object to that. But on the issue of building a practice basketball facility for them, we encourage Connecticut to invest its money where the Sun already shine: right here in southeastern Connecticut. That investment would create local jobs, strengthen our economy, and build on the Sun's 22 years of loyalty and growth in Montville.
The specter of building a $100 million practice facility in or around Hartford for a couple of games a year to be played at the PeoplesBank Arena makes zero financial sense. In fact, it would be a waste of taxpayer money.
The Connecticut Sun belongs here in southeastern Connecticut. We, along with our constituents, will fight to ensure that they stay and play here.
Sincerely,
State Senators Cathy Osten, Martha Marx, and Heather Somers
State Representatives Derell Wilson, Anthony Nolan, Nick Gauthier, Nick Menapace, Dan Gaiewski
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Finally, I want to tell you about one of my favorite community events taking place this weekend, September 6 and 7: the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival!
Our state has a rich maritime history, and this weekend celebrates that history to the fullest. Please read below for a list of activities you can partake in:
- Military and Private Ships
- Flock Theatre’s Burning of Benedict Arnold
- Mermaid & Privateer Children’s Walking Parade
- Coast Guard Helicopter Search and Rescue Demonstration
- Sea Service Showdown – a Maritime Skills Challenge
- Breezeline ‘s Reel Time with Kids- Fishing Clinic
- Kids Nautical Zone
- Chowder Challenge
- Live Music
- Local Vendors
- Big Bite Food Trucks
- Celebration of 50th Anniversary of the movie JAWS
- The 250th Anniversary of the American Navy!
As you can see, there are so many great activities at this festival - I hope to see you there!
Click here to read more about the event and see a schedule of activities.
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In the rest of this week's eblast, you can read about energy assistance programs, an upcoming increase in the minimum wage, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
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A reminder that there will be bridge work performed along I-95 north and southbound on the Gold Star Bridge in New London/Groton starting Monday, Sept. 8, to be completed Friday, Oct. 3 to ensure the bridge remains in a state of good repair.
Construction will be done Monday-Thursday from 7pm-5am. No work will be performed on Columbus Day. Traffic control signs and crash units will guide motorists through the work zone. Please maintain a safe speed and be aware of construction workers in the work zone. Your safety and theirs is top priority! |
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It was a very powerful night attending the International Overdose Awareness Day event last Sunday, where we remembered all of those lost in our community from drug overdoses, and supported the friends and family who are still grieving.
Nearly everyone knows someone impacted by a drug overdose, and this event was a great opportunity to join together, lift each other up, and work toward a future that ends overdoses. |
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Higher energy bills are a challenge for everyone, but you can get some help! The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program, formerly known as Operation Fuel, is accepting applications through Wednesday, September 10th!
This program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill to eligible Connecticut individuals and families making up to 75% SMI gross household income.
For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant, GPCT strongly encourages households to apply for assistance when you are most in need.
There are four Energy Assistance Application Cycles:
- September 2-10, 2025
- November 2-10, 2025
- January 2-10, 2026
- March 2-10 , 2026
CLICK HERE to learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials.
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Time is running out to claim thousands of dollars in clean energy incentives. If you’ve been thinking about going solar, buying an electric vehicle, or upgrading your home with cleaner, more affordable energy — now is the time to act because many of these federal incentives will expire soon.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Credits:
Find out which new and used EVs still qualify for federal tax credits of up to $7,500 until September 30, 2025.
Residential Clean Energy Credits:
Claim 30% of the total cost of solar panels, battery storage, and geothermal systems if you buy by December 31, 2025.
Energy Efficient Home Upgrade Credits:
Make home energy upgrades, like insulation, windows, or efficient electric appliances, by December 31, 2025, to claim the credit.
Click here to view the full credit timeline of tax credits.
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Connecticut’s minimum wage will increase by 59 cents to $16.94 per hour starting on January 1, 2026. The change is required under state law and links the state’s minimum wage to economic indicators, specifically the percentage change in the federal employment cost index.
The law requires the state to change the minimum wage each year based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s calculation of the employment cost index for the 12 month period ending on June 30 of the previous year.
Workers deserve this raise. Not only will these pay bumps help hard-working families, but the money spent is often pumped back into local businesses and communities. |
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Sincerely,
Dan Gaiewski
State Representative |
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