Legislative Update 6.16

June 16, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

During this session, I had the opportunity to help pass historic funding for special education, policies to strengthen protections for immigrants, the state's new budget, and much more. Tonight, I want to talk with all of you about the progress we made and where we came up short. Please join me and State Sen. Martha Marx for our first post-session town hall. Details on the event are below.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to stand with many of you at our "No Kings" protest. The federal government's habit of overreach and willingness to violate individuals' rights is unacceptable. Thank you, for standing up for the values that truly make our country great!

Looking ahead, there are a number of exciting summer classes, events, and community groups you can take part in. In this week's update, we'll go over what you can look forward to.

As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns about my work in Hartford and the changes you hope to see in the 37th District!

Sincerely,

Nick Menapace
State Representative

After Session Town Hall at East Lyme Library Today

I hope you can join me and Sen. Martha Marx tonight!

Around the 37th

Congratulations to the East Lyme and Montville High School graduating classes of 2025!

In June 1777, the United States adopted its first national flag. Since then, that flag has stood for a promise:

That all are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights — Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

That governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, not the whims of a king.

On Saturday in Niantic, we honored that flag by declaring proudly and clearly:
No Kings. Only democracy. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Happy 25th anniversary to The Dinosaur Place!

From driving by on the side of the road to being face-first with these awing prehistoric creatures, we were blown away by the park’s ever-evolving exhibits and interactive grounds; there’s no other place quite like it in eastern CT.

We are immensely proud of owners Roger and (late) Linda and marketing director Dan for building this destination up and putting Montville on the map!

The Budget? It's Done

BIG NEWS: Connecticut’s 2025 budget and bond bill deliver real results for working families, kids, seniors, and communities like East Lyme, Salem, and Montville — and I’m proud to have helped make it happen.

I'm also proud to have secured $29 million in funding for fiscal years 2026 and '27 for the 37th district and another $30,000 for school lunch debt.

This session, we passed transformative investments that reflect our core priorities: making life more affordable, expanding opportunity, and supporting the people who make our state strong.
Here’s what’s in it:

Historic Child Care Investment – The largest in state history, helping more families access affordable care and supporting early childhood educators.
Special Education Support – $40M annually for Excess Cost Grants, $30M for SEED, plus bonding for facilities and services — because every student deserves what they need to succeed.
Aging in Place – A new program helping seniors stay in their homes and communities with dignity, support, and independence.
Town Aid Road (TAR) Increase – A 33% increase to help towns fix roads and invest in infrastructure.
Tax Relief for Working Families – A $250 EITC refund, $500 credit for home daycare providers, and new savings incentives for employers and employees.
Support for Nonprofits & Healthcare – $150M for group homes and nursing homes, plus $60M+ in Medicaid rate increases to stabilize vital services.

This budget is a big step forward it delivers real relief, and sets us up for a stronger, fairer Connecticut.

We’re just getting started!

I'm also proud to announce that we’ve secured $200,000 in blighted property grant funding to begin environmental assessment activities at 278 Main Street in Niantic.

This funding will help identify potential contamination and evaluate the cost of any necessary cleanup — a critical first step in turning this site into a safe, usable space that benefits the entire community.

Investing in smart redevelopment means revitalizing our neighborhoods while protecting public health and the environment. More progress to come!

CT Needs Action on Housing Now

Connecticut has one of the most restrictive housing markets in the country. Our zoning laws and housing policies have long favored the status quo at the expense of working families, seniors, and young people trying to stay in the communities they love.

HB 5002 provides real, thoughtful solutions that maintain local input while equipping municipalities with the necessary tools to meet the moment. Please click on the CT Examiner headline below to read more of my thoughts on this critical issue.

CT State Library Offers Summer Reading List

Our libraries have a lot of books, and through resource sharing, we have access to even more books! For the first time, the CT State Library is offering a Suggested Summer Reading List for all grade levels.

The Suggested Summer Reading list has been compiled around this year's theme, Level up at Your Library, an all-ages summer reading program. The suggested list is just that, suggested!

The list has been created with accessibility in mind and it's a guidance that matches the age breakdowns and number of titles as the Department of Education reading challenge lists.

Click here to access the list.

Reminder: Join My Email List

I am already preparing for the next session and I look forward to seeing people in the community this summer.

In the meantime, if you haven't already please sign up for my email list.

Tell your friends!