Investing in Affordable Child Care

July 22, 2026

Here are the sections in today's email:

  • Investing in
    Affordable Child Care
  • Honoring America 250
    with Our Seniors
  • Celebrating the World Cup
 

Investing in Affordable Child Care

I am pleased to share the state is making another historic investment to help individuals and families afford high-quality child care. The state is depositing an additional $411.7 million in surplus funding into the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Endowment, increasing the total value to more than $700 million.

Created in 2025 through Public Act 25-93, which I was proud to support, the endowment serves as a permanent funding source to strengthen and expand Connecticut’s early childhood education system. This investment will help create thousands of new child care spaces, lower costs for working families, expand access in underserved communities, and support providers across the state.

Beginning in 2028, eligible families are expected to receive free or reduced-cost early childhood education through the Early Start CT program. Families with annual household incomes of up to $100,000 annually qualify for free child care, while those earning more will pay no more than 7% of household income.

Affordable, reliable child care is essential for children to thrive and for parents to succeed in the workforce. This long-term investment will give families the support they need while helping build a stronger economy and a brighter future for the next generation.
 

Honoring America 250 with Our Seniors

It was a pleasure to celebrate the Fourth of July with seniors at the Exchange Place Tower Apartments as we commemorated 250 years of American independence. Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal, festive glow sticks, and, most importantly, the opportunity to spend time together celebrating the strong sense of community that makes Waterbury so special.

Thank you to the staff at Exchange Place Towers and all of the dedicated volunteers who helped make this celebration such a memorable event for our seniors.
 

Celebrating the World Cup

Waterbury proudly showcased its rich cultural diversity throughout the World Cup as residents with roots from all over the world came together to cheer on their favorite teams. Over the past month, the tournament brought neighbors together, sparked new friendships, and celebrated the many cultures that make our city such a vibrant place to live.

The excitement also gave a welcome boost to our local economy, with restaurants, cafés, and businesses across the city filled with fans gathering to watch the matches. Thank you to everyone who supported our local establishments and helped make the World Cup such a memorable community experience.