Summer Camps Get State Funding!

Summer Enrichment
May 26, 2023


 
The House of Representatives has been in session many times this month as the legislative session intensifies ahead of the June 7 deadline. We met on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to debate a series of bills including some involving our children's education. 
 
It’s a busy time of year, and it makes connecting with you all so very important, to hear your thoughts on what's happening at the Capitol.
Please read below to find highlights on the bills we passed this week, the summer camps that received state funding, community highlights, and so much more.

You can click on any of the links above to jump to that section of the email. I hope that you find these resources helpful.
May 23 Session Highlights
Education is a top priority. HB 6880 makes critical revisions to our education laws that support parents, teachers, families, and most importantly, our students.
HB 5441 is a bipartisan effort that improves the state's workforce pipeline by including an extension of the existing teacher loan subsidy program for more educators in Alliance Districts.
HB 5917 implements the recommendations of the Vision Zero Council to make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians alike. This bill addresses the spike in roadway fatalities in our state.
HB 6755 establishes a working group to develop a plan for an advanced manufacturing technology center in the state and to maximize the economic, educational, and workforce benefits provided.
 
May 24 Session Highlights
HB 5628 has bipartisan support and allows us to study hydropower as a clean and renewable energy alternative that our state could potentially utilize.
HB 6486 establishes a statewide stewardship program for discarded tires and ensures access to tire collection while promoting recycling efforts and holding producers accountable.
 
May 25 Session Highlights
I co-sponsored HB 6667, which is the most comprehensive update to Connecticut's gun violence statutes since the historic reforms we passed after the Sandy Hook tragedy.
 
While Connecticut remains one of the safest states in the nation because of our previous legislative action, it does not make us immune to the continuing epidemic of gun violence. HB 6667 is a step toward making Connecticut even safer.

We have seen states around the nation recklessly retreat from sensible gun regulations, but Connecticut continues to lead and stand strong in the push to make our communities safer. I want to thank Gov. Ned Lamont for his leadership on this bill in addition to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the Judiciary Committee for their work on it.
We are committed to protecting our marine ecosystems. I'm proud to co-sponsor HB 6813, which ensures the safety of seabirds and shorebirds by establishing a protection program, including designated protection areas. All of these bills now head to the Senate.
 
Summer Camps Get State Funding
Camp Argo and Peck Place School in Orange received state funds for new learning opportunities over the next two summers. The money comes from the Connecticut Summer Enrichment Program, which is designed to connect students whose education was compromised during the pandemic. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Camp Argo will receive $100,000 in expansion grants for its outdoor, recreational day camp where friends can come together to enjoy the benefits of a summer experience. The camp strives to accommodate campers with different social abilities in a safe, nurturing environment.

Orange Public Schools will receive approximately $150,000 in innovation grants, which will go to its summer program at Peck Place School.
 
CT Receives Credit Rating Upgrade! 
Connecticut just received an upgraded credit rating from the Kroll Bond Rating Agency, which means that our General Obligation bond credit rating was upgraded from AA (stable) to AA+ (stable), just one step below the highest credit rating possible!

This news is an excellent testament to the success of the bipartisan fiscal guardrails and budgeting disciplines we have in place.
Our state has received an improved credit rating before.

Just last year, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) upgraded Connecticut's credit rating from A+ (positive) to AA- (stable). In 2021, all four major credit rating agencies upgraded Connecticut's credit rating, including Moody's. S&P, Fitch and Kroll.

Our credit upgrade allows us to maintain a strong financial standing and strengthens our appeal to those looking to make investments here.
 
Easier Access to DSS Resources
The Department of Social Services (DSS) is excited to announce its new one-stop-shop landing webpage, which streamlines your access to critical resources and care!
 
If you click here after 3:30PM on Friday, May 26, you can explore the new – easy to navigate – portal, which can redirect you to a corresponding care page, provide self-service access to required forms, and answer your outstanding questions in our updated FAQs section.
 
DSS remains committed to increasing accessibility to resources and is excited to offer this new user-friendly portal as the first step to making many more necessary updates to their website.
 
Derby Events Calendar
Please look below to see what's going on in Derby for the holiday weekend and click the button to access the community calendar.

DERBY-SHELTON MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE:

  • Tonight at 6:00 p.m.
  • Shelton Intermediate School
  • Free and open to public

This solemn, long-standing event will honor Memorial Day and those from Derby and Shelton who gave their life during war times. The service will also remember all deceased veterans who passed between May 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023. The 126 names will be read and the next of kin in attendance will be presented with a flower and commemorative pin. CLICK HERE to learn more.
DERBY-SHELTON MEMORIAL DAY PARADE:
  • Monday at 9 a.m.
  • Parade starts in Shelton and proceeds to Derby
  • CLICK HERE to see the entire route
Derby Community Calendar
 
Hamden Veteran Named Grand Marshal of Parade
The Hamden Memorial Day Parade is coming up on Monday! In honor of all the sacrifices made by our veterans, the Hamden Veterans Commission has once again selected a local veteran to be the Grand Marshal of the parade who has exhibited ongoing dedication and support of veterans in our community.

Hamden’s Memorial Day Parade Military Grand Marshal is Tyrone Mitchell, retired Captain of the U.S. Air Force, Armament/Nuclear Munitions Specialist. He served on Hamden’s Veterans Commission for nine years while contributing to many other efforts advocating for veterans in Hamden and statewide.

Hamden resident Daniel Sparks was selected as this year’s Civilian Grand Marshal. Dan is President and Co-Founder of Honor Flight CT. This organization honors veterans of foreign wars by flying them to Washington, D.C. to visit national memorials. Although never having served in the armed forces, Dan has a passion for those who have.

I want to offer a congratulations and thank you to Mr. Mitchell for his dedicated and continued service in our community. I also want to thank and congratulate Mr. Sparks for his commitment to honoring our veterans.
 
Upcoming Events in Hamden
Take a look at the fliers below to learn about upcoming events in Hamden:
More Hamden Events
 
Orange Events and Community Calendar
Read below to see how Orange is honoring our fallen heroes over the holiday weekend.
Be sure to click the button below to access the community calendar.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY:

  • Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
  • Starts at HPCC Gazebo
  • CLICK HERE for more information
Orange Community Calendar
 
Woodbridge Events and Community Calendar
Take a look below to learn more about the Woodbridge Memorial Day Ceremony. Explore the community calendar by clicking the button below for more information.
A Memorial Day ceremony will be held on Monday from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Monument in front of the Center Building at 4 Meetinghouse Lane. The program will include patriotic music, a memorial wreath presentation, a history of the holiday, the Woodbridge Police Department Honor Guard and remarks by local elected officials. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Woodbridge Community Calendar