Equal Pay Day, DPH Cuts, and CTDOT Maintenance

March 28, 2025



 

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March 25th marked how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year – an undeniable reminder of the persistent wage gap and the ongoing fight for gender equality in the workplace. Equal Pay Day highlights the system barriers that continue to disadvantage women, particularly women of color, who face even wider pay disparities.

In Connecticut, we are making significant strides to close this gap through legislation like the Pay Equity and Opportunity Act, which:

  • strengthens pay transparency
  • bans employers from asking about salary history
  • ensures that workers are paid fairly based on skills and expertise

There is still work to do. Pay inequity affects families, communities, and the overall economy. When women are paid fairly, households are stronger, children have better opportunities, and businesses benefit from a more motivated and diverse workforce.

Together, we are working toward a future where equal work means equal pay for everyone. We can build a Connecticut where no one is shortchanged simply because of their gender.
 

DPH Federal Funding Cuts


The Trump Administration is cutting approximately $150 million in federal funding to Connecticut, jeopardizing critical public health, mental health, and addictions services. These drastic cuts will put lives at risk, eliminate jobs, end essential contracts, and severely weaken the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s (DPH) ability to track and prevent public health crises. Without these grants, DPH will struggle to monitor emerging health threats and share real-time information.
 

Most alarmingly, these cuts will cripple DPH’s ability to track and respond to disease outbreaks such as measles, avian flu, and mpox. The agency will lose access to real-time data from emergency departments, leaving public health officials less prepared to the warning signs of potential epidemics.
 
Additionally, healthcare providers will be forced to use outdated fax systems to report diseases instead of sending the information electronically, delaying response times and weakening our ability contain outbreaks. This will have a trickle-down effect to our local health departments, already stretched thin, being less equipped to respond to infectious disease threats in our communities.

The consequences extend beyond disease tracking. These cuts will significantly disrupt:

  • newborn screenings
  • childhood immunization programs
  • testing for viruses and other pathogens
  • timely laboratory diagnostics
  • staffing to respond to outbreaks including in nursing homes
Click here to learn more
 

Childcare Affordability & Access Roundtable

On Wednesday I took part in the Childcare Affordability & Access Roundtable with Comptroller Sean Scanlon, Mayor Caroline Simmons, Rep. Corey Paris (Chair of the Committee on Children), and Rep. Jonathan Jacobson.  

We were joined by community leaders and stakeholders dedicated to serving our early childhood population, from prenatal care to kindergarten and beyond, as we worked together on solutions to this critical issue.

The cost of childcare is unaffordable for most parents. We need to fix that and build a system of affordable childcare and universal preschool for every single kid in our state.
 

Stamford's State of the City Address


The 2025 State of the City address is an insightful discussion on Stamford’s future with Mayor Caroline Simmons. Learn about the city’s growth, upcoming initiatives, and opportunities that will shape our community. 

The State of the City will be held on Thursday, April 3rd at The Village, 4 Star Point, Stamford from 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
 
Secure your spot today, click here to register!
 
 

CTDOT Bridge Maintenance

Drivers should expect delays for bridge maintenance on I-95 in both directions in Stamford and many surrounding communities. The highway road work will begin on Monday and continue through Friday, April 25 from New Haven all the way to the New York state line. Crews will ensure that drainage on our bridges on I-95 remain in good shape.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation anticipates that it will shut down the shoulder and some lanes from 8 A.M. – 4 P.M. during the project. Drivers should be aware that the timeline could change based on weather delays or other unforeseen conditions.
Click here to learn more about the project
 

CT Pizza Trail


Voting for the Connecticut Pizza Capital Trail is now open! This initiative by the state Office of Statewide Marketing and Tourism allows Connecticut residents to vote for their favorite independent pizza restaurants in the state – the top 100 will make the list, which will serve as an official guide for anyone wanting to enjoy the best pies around. Please visit www.PizzaCapitalTrail.com to vote for your favorite Stamford pizzeria!
 
 

Community Events

On Saturday, April 5th, 12:00 P.M. at the Ferguson Library (3rd floor) there will be an Emergency "Go Bag" Giveaway.  Build your bag with all the supplies you will need for emergency preparedness.  
 

Spring Happenings in CT

From exploring the outdoors to waterfront adventures to parks, gardens, museums, and much more.  Click the image below to access the 2025 Guide of the Best Things to do in Connecticut this Spring.

If you are ready for an outdoor hiking adventure join the 2025 Sky's The Limit Hiking Challenge.  Click the image below for information on how to participate and a list of the hiking locations.

For those of you who love to run click the image below for a list of all of the 5K Runs in Connecticut this Spring.

Support local farms this spring and summer, click the image below to get a list of Farmer's Markets all across the state.  It's always fun to incorporate stopping by a Farmer's Market in a day trip.