Our Budget Puts People First & Addressing the Child Care Crisis

June 17, 2025



 
 

The legislative session has come to a close after many long days and nights of meaningful and productive debate at the Capitol. As always, I am honored to serve as your state representative and am proud to serve as your voice in Hartford. Every vote I cast is to support Simsbury.

It's a privilege to collaborate with my colleagues, engage in thoughtful debate, and push for progress together. I'm proud of the work we accomplished including investing in special education, lowering child care costs, strengthening services for our veterans, helping businesses save money, and much more. I'll walk you through how these bills will support our community.

You don't want to miss some important traffic advisories below that will affect your commute. Make sure to find out where you can expect some slowdowns.

A local museum is now offering free entry to active duty military members and their families. Please keep scrolling to find out where and how long the deal will last!

Here are the sections in this week's email:

  • Our Budget Puts People First
  • Addressing the Child Care Crisis
  • My Vote On HB 5002
  • Saving Money for All Employers
  • More Support For Our Veterans
  • Autism and IDD Support
  • Raise for State Police Troopers
  • Firefighters Cancer Relief Program Expansion
  • Talking Legislature & Simsbury
  • Free Entry for Active Military at Museum
  • Remembering Our Heroes
  • Expect Delays on Route 187/189
  • Important Traffic Updates
  • Community Events
 

Our Budget Puts People First

The House adopted a two-year $55.8 billion budget that invests in child care, K-12 education, and special education, while providing tax relief for working families and supporting nonprofit service providers.

Our budget reflects shared values, marked by historic investments in children through expanded funding for special education and childcare. It strengthens support for working families and ensures that the essential work of nonprofits is both valued and financially supported. These organizations are on the front lines every day, serving our most vulnerable neighbors. This budget affirms and reinforces their vital role in building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.

This budget stands up for:

HISTORIC NEW FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

  • $40 million for Excess Cost Grant in each of next two years
  • $30 million for Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program
  • $20 million in bonding to expand and upgrade special education facilities
  • $10 million in bonding for capital development
  • $10 million for Governor's Incentive District Grant
  • Hold harmless funding for Education Cost Sharing, so no school district sees a cut

CHILDCARE

  • Investible trust to provide sustainable funding for new childcare programs
  • Funding for direct healthcare of our children through DSS Medicaid

NONPROFIT PROVIDERS

  • Access to better health care and nonprofit community providers
  • $150 million for groups homes and nursing homes
  • More than $60 million in Medicaid rate increases, which will benefit nonprofit providers 

TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES

  • Targeted, meaningful relief and long-term support for working families
  • Refundable tax credit of $250 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) framework
  • $500 refundable tax credit for home daycare owners that recognizes and sustains the vital care workforce
  • Tax credit for employers who contribute to their employees' CHET accounts

This is a budget that works for the people — one that safeguards essential services, uplifts communities, and lays the foundation for a future where every resident is supported and protected. I'm proud to have cast a vote in support of this measure. 
 

Addressing the Child Care Crisis
Every Connecticut family deserves affordable, high-quality child care. With the passage of House Priority Bill 5003 and Senate Bill 1, transformative legislation is set to become reality by expanding access, supporting educators, and investing in a stronger future for our children and our economy. 

These smart, sustainable investments position Connecticut to lead the nation in delivering affordable, high quality child care and establishing universal Pre-K by 2032.

The bills:
 
Provide a Sustainable Investment 

  • Fund the Early Childhood Education Endowment to invest in child care now and in the future

Lower Costs and Increase Access

  • Child care and Pre-K will be free for families in state-funded programs earning up to $100,000 and families making over $100,000 will pay no more than 7% of income
  • Add 16,000 new child care and Pre-K slots across the state
  • Create an online portal to help families find and enroll in programs

Attract and Retain Early Childhood Educators

  • Pay qualified educators on par with public school teachers
  • Provide funding for health insurance coverage for educators   

This legislation delivers lasting solutions for families, educators, and the economy. Together, these measures provide relief for families, bolster recruitment and retention of child care educators, and invest in the construction and renovation of early learning facilities. These bills represent a transformational step forward in Connecticut’s commitment to children and their future.  
 

My Vote On HB 5002

It’s hard to pick up the newspaper or check Facebook without hearing about the controversy surrounding an omnibus bill, House Bill 5002, concerning housing. To be upfront, I, along with seventeen other Democrats, voted NO on HB 5002 — a well-meaning, but in my opinion, ultimately flawed housing bill that would have unintended adverse consequences on Simsbury’s future. Here's why:

  • Overrules local economic development planning: Requires “middle housing” (up to nine units per lot) as-of-right in all commercial zones, threatening Simsbury’s ability to capitalize on its last remaining major arterial roadway frontage to attract job-creating businesses forward presence to revitalize our commercial tax base
  • Bans local parking requirements: Prohibits towns from requiring parking for developments under 24 units, even in congested or transit-poor areas (think Hopmeadow and no parking…)
  • Mandated state goals: Forces towns to identify all developable land — even flood zones — to meet unrealistic state housing targets
  • Legal risks for towns: Allows developers to sue towns for legal fees if a judge decides a town acted in “bad faith” but fails to provide the same for the towns
  • Unrealistic deadlines: Requires sweeping zoning changes by October 1, without enough support or resources for implementation

I fully support creating more affordable and attainable housing — and I’ve worked hard to do that locally. But HB 5002 is rushed, one-size-fits-all legislation that ignores local infrastructure, economic planning, and community voices. 

Towns and residents are ramping up pressure on Governor Ned Lamont to make serious changes to the bill or veto it altogether, which could lead to a special session later this year.
 

Saving Money for All Employers
House Democrats passed legislation saving money for EVERY EMPLOYER in the state since all of them faced skyrocketing workers’ compensation claims costs after a CT Supreme Court ruling.

This legislation was a top priority of businesses and municipalities and saves them millions of dollars. Business advocates estimate workers’ compensation costs would have increased 265% absent any action.
 

More Support For Our Veterans
The House of Representatives passed the final portion of the CT Hero Act via House Bill 6438,  a crucial step toward strengthening and expanding the services veterans rely on.
 
The bipartisan legislation represents our commitment to ensuring services for those who’ve served our country.  

This measure reaffirms Connecticut’s commitment to honoring our veterans and standing with those who have served.

Key provisions of the bill include: 

  • Making it easier for disabled veterans to qualify for state benefits: exempting veteran disability pay as an income requirement for certain state benefits
  • Hiring more state employees to help connect veterans to their benefits: hiring veteran service officers to this Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans in qualifying for the VA disability claims.
  • Guaranteeing free college tuition for disabled veterans: preventing higher ed institutions from charging fees
  • Making it easier for veterans to qualify for free legal service: exempting veteran disability pay from an income requirement when determining access to public defenders.
  • Making it easier for veterans and veteran own businesses to qualify for loans through D.E.C.D.
  • Directing the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to study: claim sharks and the municipal veterans representative program.

This measure moves to the governor's desk after passing both chambers. 
 

Autism and IDD Support

We passed legislation that will foster a more inclusive and responsive system that better meets the needs of individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities.

The bill:

  • Tracks delays & gaps in critical services
  • Requires public reporting on abuse & neglect cases
  • Reviews DDS investigation policies every 5 years
  • Launches statewide autism needs assessment
  • Studies future of Southbury Training School
  • Proposes urgent help for complex autism cases

Such policies recognize the inherent dignity and potential of every person as we move closer to a future where everyone can participate fully and equally. 
 

Raise for State Police Troopers

The House approved a proposal to enact a 2.5% raise and a step increase for the Connecticut State Police. Troopers deserve salaries that reflect the essential work they provide to our state and can help recruit more officers to serve. There is a concern for public safety since we've seen a 25% decline in staffing prior to 2010.

The Senate also passed the deal, which now heads to the governor's desk. He is expected to sign it into law since he brokered the agreement with the Connecticut State Police Union in April.
 

Firefighters Cancer Relief Program Expansion

The House voted to make important changes to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program including:

  • the expansion of the types of cancers covered to include skin cancer
  • the authorization of workers’ compensation administrative law judges to handle appeals of any denial of benefits

Governor Ned Lamont signed the bill into law in May.
 

Talking Legislature & Simsbury

It was great to join First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis on "After Hours with Wendy and Friends" to chat about the legislature, the town, coyotes, and vampires! Click below to listen.
 
 

Free Entry for Active Military at Museum

The Simsbury Historical Society is now a Blue Star Museum, which means active duty military members and their families have free admission from now through Labor Day. I hope they take advantage of this wonderful opportunity! CLICK HERE to learn more.
 

Remembering Our Heroes

It was a privilege to join the community at Memorial Day parades in ceremonies in Simsbury and Tariffville. We honored the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. They will never be forgotten and we will remain committed to remembering their invaluable service to our country.
 

Expect Delays on Route 187/189

Crews closed ramps and lanes on Routes 187/189 from Tunxis Avenue to Elm Street to remove dead, diseased, and decaying trees in Simsbury and Bloomfield. Drivers can expect delays from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The work will continue through Friday, June 27.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation will remove trees and vegetation in the clear zone, which is the safety space along the side of the roadway. The work helps save lives in the event of a crash. Learn more here.
 

Important Traffic Updates
 

Community Events

The Simsbury Land Trust is looking for volunteers to remove invasive plants from its properties. You’ll get to learn how to identify and manage invasive plants in your own backyard while helping Simsbury Land Trust remove harmful plants.

Recommended items include bug spray, long pants, loppers, and work gloves.

Plant removal workdays are from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on 6/18, 6/21, 6/25, 6/28.

Please email margerywinters@comcast.net if you are interested in attending!
 
 
 

The Simsbury Public Library is offering adults an opportunity to play chess on Wednesday, June 18 at 6 p.m. All skill levels are welcome. Please note this is not a class to learn how to play. The library will provide chess sets and clocks for those who wish to use one. Click here to register! 
 

The Simsbury Historical Society will recognize the contributions and sacrifices of the Jacksons, an African American family deeply connected to Simsbury, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War.

A monument will be unveiled on Juneteenth at 10 a.m. honoring the Jackson family at the Simsbury Cemetery. The ceremony will begin at Eno Memorial Hall. Guests will walk to the cemetery and are invited to return to Eno Memorial Hall for a reception sponsored by the Simsbury Historical Society afterwards. CLICK HERE to register for the event.
 

The Theatre Guild of Simsbury presents "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" from June 20 - 29 at the Centennial Theatre at Westminster School. CLICK HERE to get tickets to this award-winning musical comedy.
 
 

The Simsbury Public Library is hosting Magic the Gathering Meetup on Saturday, June 21 at 2:30 p.m. All skill levels and play styles are welcome. The library will have a limited number of decks available to use during the meet up!
Reserve your spot here!
 
 

You're invited to a bring your pup and family to a fundraiser for Paw Meadow Dog Park! There will be a a vendor fair and pet photo contest with prizes on Sunday, June 22 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.