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Free Summer Meals for Children 18 and Under
As our youth enjoy these summer months away from school, don't forget that nutritious meals are available at no cost to all children in the state! As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program, any child 18 and under may receive meals at participating locations - no application, proof of income, or identification required. You can use the U.S. DAG's Summer Meals Site Finder or call 2-1-1 to find participating meal sites throughout the state. Please confirm the location and meal service times before visiting to make sure you don't miss out.
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Bridgeport Public Schools is offering free summer meals for children 18 and under at 18 locations throughout the city. The free summer meals program will run from June 29 through August 7, 2026. Breakfast will be served from 6:30 AM - 9 AM and lunch from 12 PM - 12:30 PM at participating schools and meal sites across Bridgeport. No registration is required.
Participating locations include: Barnum, Bassick HS, Batalla, Blackham, Central HS, Claytor, Cross, Discovery, Fairfield-Wheeler HS, Harding HS, High Horizon, Multicultural, Johnson, Marin, Read, Roosevelt, Tisdale, & Waltersville. Meals are also available at Sunflower Learning Center (1470 Barnum Ave).
Whether they're in the classroom or enjoying vacation, a healthy meal is critical to a child's physical and mental development. I encourage you and your family to take advantage of this great opportunity.
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CT DoAG and CT DPH Address Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Concerns
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) are reminding residents to take precautions with the current Cyclosporiasis outbreak.
While cases of Cyclosporiasis have been reported in Connecticut, at this time, there is no indication that Connecticut farms are the source of this outbreak. With the increase in cyclosporiasis cases, many shoppers are wondering how to stay safe while enjoying fresh summer produce.
One of the best choices you can make is shopping local. CT farms and farmers’ markets offer fruits and vegetables grown and handled by farmers who take pride in feeding their families and their community.
DPH also encourages residents to follow simple steps at home to reduce potential risk:
- Wash all fresh produce under clean running water before eating, even if you plan to peel it.
- Choose whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed bagged salad mixes. Remove and discard the outer two to three layers of leaves and wash the inner leaves under running water.
- Wash cilantro, basil, and green onions thoroughly under running water, separating leaves. These items are safest when cooked.
- Cook produce when possible. Heating food to 158°F (70°C) or higher kills Cyclospora.
- Wash hands with soap and water before eating, and clean kitchen surfaces and cutting boards before and after preparing food.
For more information on Cyclospora, visit the FDA webpage.
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Changes to Federal Government Student Loan System
Sweeping changes to the student loan system by the federal government will affect half a million Connecticut residents who carry student debt by narrowing their choices, raising monthly payments for many, and closing off affordable pathways to higher education.Borrowers enrolled in the SAVE Plan are receiving notices to choose a new repayment plan within 90 days. Anyone who does not choose will be automatically moved into the standard repayment plan, which could mean a sharply higher monthly bill. Two long-standing affordable options, Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE), will be phased out entirely by July 1, 2028. And, the Grad PLUS program, which lets students borrow up to the full cost of attendance, is being eliminated. Graduate borrowing for unsubsidized loans is now capped at $20,500 per year and $100,000 over a lifetime. Students in certain professional fields have a higher cap. Still, the practical effect for many will be a turn toward riskier private loans that carry fewer protections and are not available to everyone. No borrower should navigate these changes alone. Connecticut is one of a limited number of states with a dedicated Student Loan Ombudsperson, Michelle Jarvis-Lettman, housed at the state Department of Banking and backed by independent statutory authority under state law.The Ombudsperson’s office can receive and work to resolve complaints against student loan servicers, whether the loan is federal or private. It can help borrowers understand and choose among repayment options and answer questions about switching plans or consolidating. The Office can also step in to address problems such as misapplied payments, incorrect interest calculations, servicer changes, and errors in payment history or credit reporting, and it can connect borrowers to educational resources and help them navigate the transition off SAVE and into a new plan.Borrowers can call the Office at 860-240-8170 or 800-831-7225, and press option 2 or:
Borrowers can also file complaints with the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint or by phone at 855-411-2372.
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CTDOT Reminds Drivers to Slow Down
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), in partnership with state and local law enforcement agencies, is reminding drivers to slow down this summer as speed enforcement efforts increase across Connecticut during July.
The statewide effort combines education, awareness, and enforcement to address one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities in the state.
In 2024, the last year of verifiable data, Connecticut recorded 126 fatalities due to speeding and reckless driving, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.
As part of this effort, CTDOT has launched its new "Speeding is Killing All of Us" public awareness campaign, designed to encourage drivers to think about the real-life consequences of speeding and make safer choices behind the wheel. Through television, digital, social media, and outdoor advertising, the campaign delivers an urgent message: speeding puts every road user at risk.
Watch the campaign here: Speeding is Killing All of Us
Why slowing down matters:
- A pedestrian struck at higher speeds is significantly less likely to survive.
- Speeding reduces the time drivers must react to unexpected hazards.
- Even familiar roads can become deadly when drivers exceed the speed limit.
- Choosing to slow down protects everyone sharing Connecticut's roads.
For more information about the dangers of speeding, visit nhtsa.gov.
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Investing $411.7 M in the Early Childhood Education Endowment
Governor Lamont is directing $411.7 million in state funding to be deposited into the Early Childhood Education Endowment, bringing the endowment’s total value to more than $700 million.
The endowment serves as a permanent funding source dedicated to strengthening Connecticut’s early childhood education system and will deliver the largest expansion of early childhood education services in state history. Combined with the $300 million deposited at the end of fiscal year 2025, this latest investment positions Connecticut as a national leader in creating a sustainable, long-term strategy to expand access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education.
The endowment’s fiscal year 2027 budget also includes a $10 million investment in a health insurance subsidy for the early childhood workforce. Together, these investments advance the state’s comprehensive strategy to strengthen early childhood education while supporting the educators and providers who serve children and families every day.
Connecticut Early Childhood Education Endowment by the numbers:
- FY 2025 deposit: $300 million
- FY 2026 deposit: $411.7 million
- Total invested in the endowment: $711.7 million
- Eligible families receiving free child care beginning fiscal year 2028: Household incomes up to $100,000
- Maximum family contribution above that threshold: 7% of household income
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As always, please feel free to contact me at 800-842-8267 or by email at Andre.Baker@cga.ct.gov. And for news and legislative updates, please visit my official Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Andre Baker |
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