Happy 250th America, Extreme Hot Weather Protocol, and New Health Insurance Subsidy

July 1, 2026

I hope this email finds you and your family well. As we celebrate the Fourth of July and America's 250th Anniversary, we reflect on two and a half centuries of perseverance, innovation, and progress. This landmark occasion is a time to honor the generations who helped shape our nation, celebrate the strength of our communities, and look forward with optimism to the opportunities that lie ahead.
 

There is plenty to get to in the email below, so make sure to keep scrolling for more on:

  • Extreme Hot Weather Protocol Activated
  • Health Insurance Subsidy for Early Childhood Educators
  • Unaffiliated Voters can Join a Party
  • Community Events

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at any time.


Lake Compounce is celebrating its 180th season with fireworks on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m.
 

Due to a long-duration heat wave that is expected to impact Connecticut, the Governor has ordered the state’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol to be activated through at least 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 5.

An Extreme Heat Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service as Connecticut has the potential to reach the warning-level criteria. Peak temperatures are expected during the afternoon hours of Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3 when highs are expected to reach 100 degrees and heat indices could climb up to 110 degrees each day.

Residents are encouraged to take precautions during the heat wave, including staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity during peak heat hours, and checking on older adults, young children, and other vulnerable individuals who may be at greater risk of heat-related illness. Click here to read the governor's release with prevention tips to stay safe and hydrated.

Cooling centers are available for anyone in need of a place to get out of the heat. 

Click here to find the most reliable and updated list of active cooling centers or call 2-1-1.

The Early Childhood Education Endowment’s Advisory Board voted last week to approve the new early childhood educator health insurance subsidy program beginning in 2027 and available through Access Health CT’s Open Enrollment starting October 23.

Established into law in 2025, the state's historic Early Childhood Education Endowment has already created up to 1,000 new child care spaces, supported an 8% increase in Early Start CT reimbursement rates, expanded Smart Start preschool classrooms, and invested in operational grants for providers across the state. As specified in Public Act 25-93, $10 million of the FY27 Endowment is dedicated to a health insurance subsidy program for early childhood educators. Early childhood educators often struggle with access to affordable health insurance, and this subsidy program can help retain and recruit essential workers for our early childhood system to work for families, employers, and our economy. 

The subsidy will allow educators to access qualified health plans through Access Health CT and receive a subsidy toward their cost for health insurance through either an individual plan through Access Health CT, an employer’s small employer group plan through Access Health CT or in conjunction with an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) offered by their employer. Eligible early childcare educators must not be eligible for Medicaid or the Covered Connecticut program.

The subsidy program is income-based and provide a flat subsidy for covered options regardless of which option through which an individual receives their health insurance. Early childhood educators earning between 175% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will receive a subsidy of $1,200 per year; those earning between 250% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level will receive $1,100 subsidies; and those earning over 400% will receive $1,000.

Approximately 7,200 to 8,800 early child care workers will be eligible for the program. Access Health CT will also receive funding from the Endowment to promote and advertise the program to early childhood educators and providers.

It’s too late for registered Democrats or Republicans to switch parties and vote in their new party’s primary this August. The deadline was May 11, and state law requires a 3-month waiting period.

If you’re unaffiliated, however, you still have time. You can join a party and vote in that party’s primary right away, as long as you’ve been unaffiliated for at least three months.

Updating your party affiliation is one of the many changes voters can conveniently do online at https://ow.ly/Vmcn50Z38Qr.

Meals will be available at the following times and locations from July 6 through August 14:

Bristol Central High School  (480 Wolcott Street) will have breakfast available from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and lunch available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Bristol Public Library (5 High Street) will have lunch available from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Cambridge Park (11 Quaker Lane) will have breakfast available from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and lunch available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Greene-Hills School (718 Pine Street) will have breakfast available from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and lunch available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Bristol Bazaar is home to over 75 local makers, unique gifts, creative workshops, and Yellow King Bristol.

Shop small, support local and explore thousands of handmade treasures in our one-of-a-kind indoor market space. Open 6 days a week (67 Race Street), click here for more information.