Rep. Toni Walker joined her legislative colleagues who represent New Haven and surrounding towns at a press conference to denounce the Republican state budget. “These are cuts we cannot sustain if we expect Connecticut to thrive,” Rep. Walker said.

The General Assembly's Legislative Internship Program is now accepting applications for spring 2018. Interns work one-on-one with legislators and learn how our state government works. I've had many wonderful interns over the years, and I encourage you to share this opportunity with a college student in your life.

Blasting the Republican-passed state budget, Rep. Roland Lemar says a cut to the community college system sends a message to future employers that the state is not open for business. Many community college students are Connecticut high school graduates who find a home here, get a start here and become part of the workforce of the future here, Lemar said in this New Haven Independent news story.

University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst summed up the Republican budget, saying it would decimate UConn, its satellite campuses, the state university system and community colleges across the state. Rep. Haddad called the GOP budget "a recipe for disaster" in his remarks to legislators.

Each year, more than $2 billion in state education aid is distributed to towns and cities through entirely arbitrary block grants. There is no strategic approach that reflects the state's priorities, the needs of students or what cities and towns can afford. There is no "formula." That's why the way the state distributes school aid is now in the courts. It is the responsibility of the legislative branch, working with the executive branch, to adopt a fair school finance system for Connecticut.

Hidden in the Republican budget is a new, annual tax on all public school teachers. Every teacher must contribute 1% of salary for half of this year, and 2% of all of next year's salary to state general fund! The GOP bill is cleverly worded. The word "teacher" does not appear in the legislation but it clearly pertains to teachers.

The Governor's revised executive order makes unacceptable education funding cuts to Cheshire, Southington, and Wallingford.

I want to inform you about CT's Tax Free Week, which runs Sunday, August 20 to Saturday, August 26.