Henry Genga

As Memorial Day approaches, we pause to honor the brave men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to protecting our freedoms will never be forgotten. As we gather with loved ones and enjoy the blessings of liberty, let us remember those who made those freedoms possible. May we always carry forward their legacy with gratitude, unity, and respect. 

 

The East Hartford Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m.

The day will consist of three parts: a parade, a program at the Fallen Star Memorial, and a celebration of East Hartford. The parade will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., proceeding from 9 Riverside Drive to the Fallen Star Memorial located at Goodwin University.

 

There will also be a ceremony honoring East Hartford’s Fallen Warriors at Bicentennial Square on Sunday, May 24 at 6:00 p.m. 

The ceremony will honor our veterans’ lives, service, and devotion to both our community and our country through a reading of their names at Bicentennial Square (corner of Scotland Road and Forbes Street).

 

Absentee voting for all eligible voters is now law in Connecticut, expanding access to the ballot box and giving every qualified voter the option to cast their vote by absentee ballot.

This change comes after Connecticut voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in 2024 supporting absentee voting for all, marking a major step forward in modernizing and strengthening voter access across our state.

Public Act 26-42 removes certain restrictions that previously limited absentee ballots to voters who could not appear in person on Election Day for a narrow set of reasons. With this change, any eligible voter who prefers to vote absentee may now do so.

The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. Expanding access to absentee ballots strengthens participation, increases flexibility, and ensures every voter has a convenient and secure option to make their voice heard.

To vote by absentee ballot, eligible voters must complete an absentee ballot application and submit it to their town clerk. Applications can also be submitted online through the Office of the Secretary of the State’s secure portal. For more information on applying for an absentee ballot, visit myvote.ct.gov.

Connecticut’s dairy farms are small, family-owned businesses that support local jobs and provide fresh, nutritious food to communities across our state. To help sustain these vital local operations, we are proud to announce that $22.5 million has been allocated from Connecticut’s Federal Cuts Response Fund we created to provide immediate relief to the approximately 80 dairy farmers in the state.

Recent federal actions have placed many of these family-run farms under severe financial strain. Much of the pressure stems from federally set milk pricing structures that favor large corporate operations over smaller Connecticut dairies, along with tariff policies that have increased the cost of essential supplies such as fertilizer and farm equipment while triggering retaliatory trade measures from key export partners. In addition, the U.S. conflict with Iran has significantly driven up fuel and fertilizer costs, further burdening farmers already operating on narrow margins.

With the legislative session now concluded, the Office of Legislative Research has released its Major Public Acts report, highlighting many of the significant bills passed by the House and Senate this year. Covering topics ranging from state finances and housing to solar energy and more, the report offers a comprehensive overview of key legislation impacting Connecticut residents.

Click on the above photo to view the report.

 

The Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) and Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) have begun accepting applications for the OEC-WBDC Program Operations Grants. 

OEC and WBDC are offering grants of up to $50,000 to qualified Connecticut early childhood businesses to support operations and preserve child care access. The Operations Grant provides short-term funding to support OEC-licensed early childhood education programs. The grants are designed to help programs maintain their existing early childhood slots. 

Grants will be awarded to eligible programs serving high and medium-needs families, as defined by OEC. This funding is intended to support operational expenses, including staffing, materials, facility costs, and other business needs that ensure ongoing services to families and communities. 

This is a ONE-TIME funding opportunity. Click here for more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply.

 

The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts (CCFA) is seeking applicants for their community grants program, newly expanded with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Successful proposals should have a strong East Hartford connection and directly relate to fine arts and/or culture. Programs or projects may include concerts, performances, program series, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, or public art.

Grant applications will be considered on a rolling basis through August 31, after which the CCFA will revert to their typical quarterly review cycle.

Click here for a list of complete eligibility requirements and to access the application.