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| I know you are worried about balancing the looming cuts from the federal government and how it will impact the state budget this year. I want to assure you that I will do what I have always done as a public servant. I will work across the aisle to address the vital services that many of our children, students, families, elderly and others use and depend on every day.
I assure you that many of my colleagues and I share a similar worry, but we know that we are strongest when we work together. I encourage you to keep your ears to the ground, and stay tuned for more as the governor releases his budget next week.
We will get through this together. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact my office if you or your family need assistance. |
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This week in the Chamber and working with my colleagues in our committee meetings
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| Enhanced Survivor Benefits for Families of State Employees Killed in the Line of Duty |
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We held an important vote on Tuesday. The House voted to enhance survivor benefits for families of state employees killed in the line of duty. This legislation was inspired by the tragic line-of-duty deaths last year of two Connecticut state employees, including a trooper from the Connecticut State Police and an employee from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Because of their ages and years of service, neither of those state employees were eligible to receive pensions at the time of their deaths.
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The change ratified by the legislature Tuesday means that both surviving families in those instances will begin receiving survivor benefits, based on their individual eligibility circumstances. Additionally, this change will apply to all future situations in which a state employee who was not eligible to receive a pension is killed in the line of duty.
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SAVE THE DATE:
Community Meet & Greet |
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| Join me, State Representative Joe Gresko, and State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston for a community meet and greet on Thursday, February 6th at 5:30 pm. We are looking forward to connecting with community members and discussing the priorities for this legislative session. The event will be held at Stratford Baldwin Center in the Main Hall. We encourage all members of the community to attend! |
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Fighting for Connecticut Families
and Healthcare Workers |
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I’m proud to join more than 60 of my colleagues in introducing Proposed House Bill 5986: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A REFUNDABLE CHILD TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX.
This bill would create a permanent, refundable child tax credit of $600 per child (for up to three children) for tax filers earning:
✅ $100,000 or less (single filers)
✅ $200,000 or less (married filing jointly)
💡 Every $1 in child tax credits generates $1.38 in local economic activity. With nearly 40% of Connecticut families struggling to make ends meet, this credit will provide direct relief to 550,000 children across the state.
📍 Connecticut is the only high-cost-of-living state with a broad-based income tax that does not adjust for family size or childcare expenses. It’s time to change that.
📜 Read the bill here: https://cga.ct.gov/2025/TOB/H/PDF/2025HB-05986-R00-HB.PDF
Let’s get this done! #CTPolitics #ChildTaxCredit #WorkingFamilies #CT #connecticut
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On Thursday, I stood in support with my colleagues lead by State Senator Saud Anwar advocating for Trinity Hospital Emergency Room Doctors, Hospitalist Doctors, and APRNs as Trinity made abrupt changes to their jobs with only 90 days notice. Connecticut has a physician and nurse shortage and we should be doing everything we can to keep our medical professionals here so they can provide comprehensive care when patients go to a hospital Emergency Room.
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| Stratford BOE Monthly Meeting |
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This past Monday, I attended the Stratford Board of Education's Monthly meeting to give a legislative update. I also had the opportunity to hear directly from them regarding their concerns and questions around Education Cost Sharing (ECS) and Special Education funding, I reiterated to the board that between the House and the Senate, ECS and Special Education funding is a top priority issue this session.
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| Upcoming Dates for the Legislature |
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Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s ahead for the 2025 legislative session! With 101 Democrats and 49 Republicans in the CT House, we’re ready to work together to tackle important issues for our state. Stay up to date with what's happening at the capitol with CT-N and at www.cga.ct.gov.
Some upcoming dates to keep on your radar:
February 5: Governor’s budget presentation
June 4: Last day of session
July 1: New budget year begins
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| ACLU Know Your Rights Guide |
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| View the resources provided by the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut below: |
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| The Connecticut State Department of Education has issued a guidance document to every K-12 public school district in response to questions regarding the impact that recent changes in policy guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pertaining to immigration enforcement activities may have on school operations, student privacy, and the safeguarding of students while in school. |
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| WBDC Grant Program Applications |
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| The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) announced the next round of our Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs. Applications for both programs open on Monday, February 3.
The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million. The application period for this grant runs from February 3 through March 10, 2025. You can find additional information on Ignite here.
Our Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs from February 3 through March 3, 2025. You can find more information on our Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants here.
Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here.
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| Saturday is Take Your Child to the Library Day and Stratford Library will be holding events all day long. This year's theme is Fun Around the World. From 10am-2pm, children can enjoy activities from all 7 continents, collecting stamps for their passport. Get all 7 to receive a prize!
Registration is required for:
10:15 am Preschool Fun (Ages 2-5)
2:30 pm Silly, Speedy Games (Ages 5-12)
Visit the Library website to register
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| The Stratford Health Department will host free health screenings in 4 community locations from February 7th to March 3rd. The mission of the Know Your Numbers (KYN) campaign is to empower community residents with information about their health status and educate them on how to reduce their risks of chronic disease. The screenings will include body mass index, blood pressure, and blood sugar (A1c). |
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| Attend the Stratford Hispanic Heritage Committee's Annual Gala Fundraiser held at the Trumbull Marriott on February 8th from 7 - 10 pm. The night will include dinner, a cash bar, and performances by Orquesta Afinke and DJ Edgar. Find more information and purchase tickets here. |
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Yours in service,
Kaitlyn Shake
State Representative |
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