$5.6 Million for Bridgeport & Bill To Boost Public School Funding

March 12, 2026
Here are the sections in today's email:
  • State Funding for Bridgeport
  • Bill To Boost School Funding
  • Supporting Renters and Housing Stability
  • Women's History Month
 

State Funding for Bridgeport

The Bridgeport legislative delegation and I are pleased to welcome $5.6 million in state funding to support renovations at the University of Bridgeport and Optimus Health Care. This important investment comes from the Community Investment Fund, a board on which I am proud to serve.
 
These projects will help strengthen educational opportunities and expand access to quality health care for residents of Bridgeport. The State Bond Commission is expected to approve these projects in the near future.
 

Bill To Boost School Funding

This session, I am advocating for Senate Bill 7, a proposal that would strengthen public education and provide schools with the resources they need to help every student succeed. The bill focuses on improving the state’s Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant, which is the primary way Connecticut helps fund local school districts.

Key highlights of the proposal include:

  • Increasing ECS funding per student, giving districts stronger and more reliable support
  • Ensuring school funding keeps pace with economic conditions, helping schools better manage rising costs
  • Improving the ECS formula to ensure it remains fair for all communities
  • Supporting teacher recruitment in high-need districts, helping schools attract and retain talented educators

I am proud to support this legislation and will continue working to ensure every student has access to a high-quality education.
 

Supporting Renters and Housing Stability

This week, the Housing Committee advanced a couple of bills that would make a real difference in Bridgeport. These measures affect our renters, who make up more than 50% of the city, and would provide much-needed housing stability. 

Senate Bill 257 expands no-fault evictions by requiring landlords to provide a reason for kicking a tenant out. The proposal would protect them from arbitrary, retaliatory, and discriminatory evictions at the time of lease renewal. Current protections only apply to renters who are 62 or older or those living with disabilities.

Bridgeport residents struggle to find stable housing after a no-fault eviction, and there are concerns more people may fall into that same situation. In today's tight and expensive housing market, losing an apartment without cause can make it extremely difficult to find another place to live.

I am also advocating for a proposal which would protect renters from sudden and extreme rent increases when their building is sold to a new owner. House Bill 5092 would:

  • Protect tenants from “shock” rent increases after property sales
  • Help keep residents in their homes and communities
  • Discourage speculative property purchases that rely on quickly raising rents

I will continue to monitor these proposals and provide updates as they move through the legislative process. Bridgeport needs affordable and stable housing, and I will keep advocating for solutions that support our residents and families.
 

Women's History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions women have made to our communities, our state, and our nation. Here in Connecticut, countless women have shaped our history through leadership, innovation, advocacy, and perseverance.

While this month offers a special opportunity to reflect, their stories deserve to be honored all year long. From historic homes and museums to landmarks connected to groundbreaking achievements and social movements, our state is rich with places that preserve and share the legacy of women who helped shape Connecticut’s past and future.

Take some time to explore these meaningful sites and learn more about the women behind them. Click here to view a list of historic landmarks across Connecticut that are deeply connected to women’s history and the stories that continue to inspire generations today.