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We are approaching the period of time of the legislative session when the House and Senate regularly vote on bills in our respective chambers. We will be in session three times next week, and I'll keep you posted on any important developments.
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This week, I listened to parents, educators, advocates, and students share their concerns about a number of proposals in regards to special education. My colleagues and I are making changes to the legislation. I'll provide a closer look below.
The state is offering a new resource to keep track of the Trump administration's cuts in our state. I'll walk you through how it works and how to report the impacts of those federal policy changes.
Here are the sections and topics in this week's email:
- Special Education Bills
- Join Me for Early Child Care Conversation
- Empowering Future Female Leaders
- Discussion on Childhood Care & Education
- Keep Track of Federal Funding Cuts
- Derby Scouts Clean Up Cemetery
- Work Zone Awareness Week
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
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I am proud to serve on the Select Committee on Special Education, which has introduced two proposals, House Bill 7277 and Senate Bill 1561, to better support children with special needs, their families, and the educators who work so hard on their behalf.
Special education is a fundamental human right. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that meets their unique needs. These bills are a work in progress but attempt to take meaningful steps toward ensuring that right is protected and strengthened across Connecticut. |
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Right now, our system is under enormous strain. We do not have enough special education teachers, districts often do not have the funding to create in-district programs, and the costs for general special education as well as out of district placements continues to rise at an unsustainable level. Some districts spend millions to place kids in private programs, and some families are being left behind, struggling with long waitlists and unaffordable costs when out-of-district options are their only choice.
While my colleagues and I make changes to the existing bills, the work has not happened in a vacuum. The Select Committee undertook a statewide listening tour to hear from parents, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students. Their feedback has been crucial in shaping these bills, and we remain committed to a fair, transparent process that prioritizes the voices of those most affected.
Our goal is to build a special education system that is equitable, effective, and centered on what’s best for our children and families. |
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| Join Me for Early Child Care Conversation |
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As Chair of the Early Childhood Caucus, I’m proud to join Rep. Farrar in co-sponsoring an important conversation about the current state of early care facilities in Connecticut.
This discussion will focus on the real challenges providers face in maintaining and expanding access to quality child care – and how we can learn from successful models around the country to build a sustainable path for long-term investment in early childhood infrastructure. |
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Commissioner Beth Bye of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, along with leading policy experts, will share what needs to happen to support facilities that require critical health, safety, and quality upgrades.
We hope you’ll join us on Thursday, May 1 from 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. in Room 2A of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. I look forward to seeing you there and engaging in this important conversation about the future of early childhood in our state. |
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| Empowering Future Female Leaders |
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| It was an incredible honor to join a panel of inspiring young women and fellow female legislators to support the next generation of bold, diverse, and driven female leaders. As a proud member of the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, I had the opportunity to share my journey to the legislature and the lessons I’ve learned along the way with members of LiveGirl, an organization empowering women to grow into confident, impactful changemakers. |
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| They young women on the panel asked thoughtful, challenging questions about leadership, advocacy, and creating change in their communities. Their focus, passion, and determination made it clear: LiveGirl is doing the essential work of preparing our future leaders. |
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| I hope that by sharing our stories, my colleagues and I can serve as both a source of encouragement and a reminder that their voices matter. I look forward to seeing them shape a more equitable future and help us move closer to true gender parity in the workforce, in government, and in every corner of society. |
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| Discussion on Childhood Care & Education |
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| It was a pleasure to speak with constituents about the need to strengthen early childhood care and education in Connecticut. Rep. Robin Comey, Rep. Kate Farrar, and I took a closer look at several key legislative proposals, including House Priority Bill 5003, which aim to better support our children, families, and educators. |
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As Chair of the Early Childhood Caucus, I took the opportunity to break down House Bill 5986, a proposal that would establish a refundable child tax credit to working families. This week, my colleagues and I endorsed a new $150-per-child income tax credit, up to $450 per household, for single parents earning up to $100,000 per year and couples earning up to $200,000.
Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation and offered thoughtful feedback. Your voices are essential in shaping policies that work for our communities. I am committed to bringing your concerns and ideas to the Capitol. Together, we can build a stronger, more affordable, and accessible early childhood system for all. |
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| Keep Track of Federal Funding Cuts |
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The state has launched a reporting tool for businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities in Connecticut that have been affected by federal funding cuts, layoffs, tariffs, or other recent actions.
The state will compile the data into a central database and provide policymakers with a better understanding of how these directives impact various groups, geographical regions, and sectors of the economy. |
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| Users will need to create a login and then will be prompted with a series of questions to report any impacts they may be experiencing. Report only confirmed issue that you’ve encountered, not potential impacts. Any information that is reported will become public information. |
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| Derby Scouts Clean Up Cemetery |
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| I would like to thank Troop 3 Derby scouts for cleaning up the Uptown Colonial Cemetery as part of their community service for Derby’s 350th anniversary. Lowe’s and Home Depot donated supplies and Walter Archer III provided water. The cleanup was particularly important to Jack Little, who assisted in memory of his late father Phillip Little, who was a Troop 3 Eagle Scout. |
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| Work Zone Awareness Week isn’t just a reminder to slow down - it’s a call to recognize the real people behind every reflective vest. Let’s drive like their lives depend on it! |
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| Please join me in thanking those who put their lives on the line every day to keep our roads safe, and remembering those we’ve tragically lost in work zone accidents. Their dedication deserves our respect, and their safety requires our attention. Please, slow down, stay alert, and move over in work zones. |
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| Check out the events and community calendar in Derby below. |
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| Enjoy a nature walk with the community every Friday from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the meadow at Kellogg Environmental Center. Registration is required. |
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| Join Dr. Joseph DiRienzo and the Derby Historical Society for the release of their newest book "More 350 Years of Derby History." He will give a presentation on the History of the Sterling Opera House and will be available to sign books afterwards. The event takes place Saturday at 10 a.m. at Derby Public Library. |
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| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
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| Look at the fliers below to learn more about the upcoming events in Hamden. |
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| The Girls Future Firefighter Camp is hosting its prom dress giveaway on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ConnCorp, which is located at 496 Newhall Street. |
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| Check out the flier and community calendar in Orange below. |
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| Opening Day at Grassy Hill Farm is Thursday, May 1 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The farm is stocked with ready-to-go flower pots, blooming geraniums, and all the cell packs you need to kickstart your garden! |
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| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
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Check out the events and community calendar below.
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Celebrate Woodbridge Earth Day for a day full of food, music, and meaningful ways to live more sustainably on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on the Green. If it rains, all exhibits/performers will be moved indoors on the Town Green Campus.
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