Back-To-School Driving Safety & Apply for Legislative Internship Program

August 28, 2024

Students are back in school, and while they acclimate to the classroom, drivers are urged to slow down on the roads. Please read below to get a refresher on what to do when you're behind the wheel and see a school bus.

Governor Lamont is allocating some state funding to support small businesses that experienced damage from last week's flooding. I'll break down how much those eligible businesses could receive in grants.

We are looking for new interns to learn about state government at the Capitol. Keep scrolling to learn more about the program, minimum requirements, and the application process.

These are the sections in today's email:

  • Back-To-School Safety
  • Help for Businesses Damaged in Flooding
  • Apply for the Legislative Internship Program!
 
Back-To-School Safety

Students, teachers, and staff returned to school in Hartford and West Hartford for the first day of the new academic year! Excitement filled the air as familiar faces reconnected and new ones were warmly welcomed into the school community. I wish everyone a successful school year.

With a new school year, comes an important reminder to look out for students of all ages who will be walking to and from the bus stop. Some of our little ones may not always be looking both ways before crossing the street. Please SLOW DOWN and give those kids extra room on the roads! Their lives depend on it. We all want our students and schools to have great starts to the school year, and that starts with getting to and from school safely.

School bus guidelines:

  • On a standard road (one lane going in each direction) if a school bus is stopped with flashers on and stop arm is extended, all vehicles in both lanes must stop.
  • On a multi-lane road where there is a divider/median, vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop. Vehicles on the other side of the median travelling in the opposite direction are not required to stop but should be aware and use caution.
  • On multi-lane roads where there is not a divider, all vehicles travelling in either direction must stop.
  • At an intersection where a school bus has stopped to collect or discharge students, all vehicles must stop until the flashing lights have been turned off and the stop arm is no longer extended.
  • No vehicle should ever pass or attempt to go around a stopped school bus that has their flashing lights on and stop sign arm extended.
Kids can be unpredictable and bus stops might not be obvious. Please use caution when driving near school buses. Thank you for doing your part to keep our kids safe! CLICK HERE for more school bus safety tips for drivers, parents, and children.
 
Help for Businesses Damaged in Flooding
Our state government is providing a lifeline to small businesses that are reeling from the record rainfall and subsequent flooding last week in Western Connecticut. This is a positive development especially for those of you who may have a business out there. Governor Ned Lamont is allocating $5 million in state funding to launch a micro-grant program so those businesses can rebuild and recover from the damage.
 
Under this program, state grants of up to $25,000 will be available for small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County that have fewer than 100 employees and experienced damage from the floods. Grants can be used to cover various expenses to help in the recovery, including those associated with cleanup efforts, replenishing lost inventory, and replacing equipment.
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development will administer the program on behalf of DECD by the WBDC, a nonprofit organization based in Fairfield County that works to support business growth and job creation statewide. On September 3, 2024, the WBDC will launch an application process for businesses to seek grants. Applicants will be required to provide detailed descriptions of how their businesses were impacted and include photos, receipts, invoices, and estimates where applicable.
Click here to learn more
 
Apply for the Legislative Internship Program!
If your college student is interested in getting a hands-on experience with our state government, then apply now for the 2025 Legislative Internship Program! It allows students to get college credit while meeting face-to-face with legislators, learning about how the legislative process, taking part in a mock session in the House of Representatives, and so much more.

Here are some of the requirements:

  • 18 years of age or older by program start
  • Enrolled in a Connecticut college or university
  • Registered for a campus-based course to receive credit for the internship
  • Minimum 20 credits completed by program start
  • Minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA

 The application deadline is Friday, November 1.
Learn more about the internship program
How to apply