Hope you had a wonderful St. Patrick's Day! With my own Irish heritage, I was proud to join the Connecticut-Ireland Trade Commission at the State Capitol on St. Patrick’s Day for the Irish flag raising, a meaningful celebration of heritage, partnership, and shared values. The ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the deep cultural and economic ties between Connecticut and Ireland and our country as a nation of immigrants.
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Earlier this week I joined Connecticut House Democrats to make clear our goal to deliver more education funding to our municipalities to support our kids and provide property tax relief.
We are proposing to help our towns and cities facing an education funding crisis by using part of our state’s surplus revenue. While the final amount isn’t set, we are pushing for $100–$170 million in one-time aid to municipalities. Funding would be distributed using a formula similar to our existing education aid, based on factors like student need and local wealth, resulting in roughly a 2–5% increase in education funding.
This support would be in addition to our current education funding and is intended to ease budget pressures, helping our towns avoid raising property taxes while stabilizing our local finances and supporting our schools.
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I was proud to host a legislative breakfast and discussion for my colleagues alongside our state’s three refugee resettlement organizations: the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, and Jewish Family Services of Greenwich. These organizations play a vital role in supporting thousands of refugees and immigrants who have fled war, famine, and persecution, helping them rebuild their lives in Connecticut while strengthening our communities and economy.
Recent federal policy and funding changes, including the impacts of HR1 and intensified immigration enforcement practices, is creating fear and financial crisis for our immigrant neighbors. Families who had previously achieved stability- working legally, paying taxes, and contributing to their communities-are now experiencing sudden disruptions to legal status, work authorization, healthcare coverage, and access to food assistance. I am working with CIRI, IRIS and JFS to seek funds from our state's Federal Response Fund to address these federal cuts and the needed support for our refugee and immigrant neighbors to thrive and continue to contribute to our economy.
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It has been a busy week of committee meetings and public hearings, with both the Transportation and Higher Education Committees facing their bill deadlines. Below are several of the bills that were voted out of committee. Let me know if you have any questions or if there are any issues or bills in the news you want me to know are important to you.
Higher Education:
HB 380: An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the task force to support promise programs in the state
HB 5478: An Act Supporting "Learn and Earn" Internship Opportunities
HB 5427: An Act Expanding the Debt-Free Community College Program to Include Workforce Development and Continuing Education Programs
Transportation:
HB 237: An Act Concerning Public Transportation
HB 415: An Act Concerning Transportation Network Companies and Rider Safety
HB 5463: An Act Concerning Highway Safety
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This legislation, signed this week by the Governor, as part of SB 298 (sections 50-57), provides greater protections for workers in warehouses and fulfillment centers. This bill ensures quotas do not interfere with employees’ legally mandated meal and bathroom breaks and ensures that workers are presently aware of what quotas they may be subjected to while on the job. Employees experiencing violations of such rights can now recover any costs they may have incurred.
Connecticut becomes the first state in New England to pass Warehouse Worker Protection legislation, and just the sixth nationwide, joining California, New York, Washington, Minnesota, and Oregon.
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| STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES |
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On Monday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Bristow Middle School (34 Highland Street) take part in an informational session on how West Hartford’s schools are funded.
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The Newington Children’s Theatre Company, Connecticut’s longest-running nonprofit children’s theatre, presents its biggest production of the spring season, Seussical Jr., starring 101 children ages 5 to 15 from 15 towns in four casts. Performances are March 21, 22, 28, 29.
Tickets range from $12 to $18 in advance and $18 to $20 at the door. All performances are at John Wallace Middle School (71 Halleran Drive, Newington)
Click here to purchase advance tickets for all shows.
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The CT Coalition for Climate Action is hosting its third annual Climate Change Student Poster Contest.
NEW FOR 2026: In addition to individual student entries, there is a new K–4 Classroom Poster Category, with one poster submission per class. The winning classroom will receive a $100 Staples® gift card along with a visit from either Leah Lopez of Save the Sound or Save the Sound’s Soundkeeper, Bill Lucy.
Students and finalists are invited to the judging at the Capitol on Earth Day, April 22nd between 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.. Semi-Finalists will be displayed at the state Capitol and the top three individual winners of the Grades 5–12 category will receive scholarships of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place.
The deadline for submissions is April 1 and you can submit you application via email to CTClimateActionCoalition@gmail.com. |
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Celebrate America 250 at the Connecticut State Capitol on April 1 at 2:00 p.m. (Room 310).
You're invited to a performance of A Goodnight Kiss, a deeply moving historical drama based on the letters of Connecticut residents during the Civil War, one who would later serve as a Connecticut State legislator.
This is a FREE event open to all, click here to register. |
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a virtual public information meeting concerning the installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) upgrades across Greater Hartford (Berlin, Bloomfield, Bristol, East Windsor, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Somers, Southington, South Windsor, Vernon, and Windsor) on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:00 p.m.
The public information meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project. The meeting will take place on Zoom, and registration is required. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation, which will be recorded.
Construction is anticipated to begin summer 2027 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights-of-way, and approval of permit(s).
Click here for instructions on registering and accessing the meeting, language assistance, and how to listen in if you have limited internet options.
Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by Tuesday, April 21 to DOTProject0171-0514@ct.gov or (860) 594-2020. Please reference Project No. 0171-0514 in the email or voicemail.
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Eid Mubarak! May this day bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to you and your loved ones.
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