Robin Comey

Great day touring Bausch + Strobel's impressive Branford facility with CBIA!

President Oliver Schmidt showcased the company's 50,000 sq ft operation, a hub for production assembly, consulting, and sales for this global corporation. With 90+ employees and room to grow, Bausch + Strobel is a perfect example of Connecticut manufacturing excellence.

Key Legislative Concerns Raised:

        • Tariffs: The company emphasized the need for a comprehensive, holistic approach to tariff implementation rather than piecemeal policies
        • Business Planning Challenges: Current uncertainty around trade policies is making investment decisions and long-term planning difficult
        • Policy Support: There’s a lack of clarity and adequate support from policymakers on trade-related issues
        • Operational Issues: Supply chain disruptions and Connecticut’s workforce challenges are ongoing concerns

Thanks to the B+S team for highlighting how smart policy can help manufacturers thrive right here in Connecticut!

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will install new light fixtures on I-95 in both directions between Exit 51 and Exit 62 in East Haven, Branford, Guilford and Madison. This project is scheduled from Wednesday, September 24 through Tuesday, September 30.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO:

There will be a left lane closure on I-95 from Exit 51 to Exit 62 and right lane closure on I-95, from Exit 51 to Exit 62, from Wednesday, September 24 to Tuesday, September 30. Work hours are from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

The schedule may change due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Drivers are advised to maintain a safe speed in the work zone, which will include signs.

Launched in 2022, the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) is available to all graduating seniors in the state who have at least:

• A 3.0 weighted GPA or
• A 2.75 unweighted GPA

With just one application, students are automatically admitted to 10 participating colleges and universities, and the program eliminates common barriers by waiving application fees, essays, and recommendation letters. CAAP is administered by the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system in partnership with the nonprofit organization Common App, which helps streamline the college application process for eligible students.

Participating colleges and universities include:

• Southern Connecticut State University
• University of New Haven
• Central Connecticut State University
• Eastern Connecticut State University
• Western Connecticut State University
• Albertus Magnus College
• Goodwin University
• Mitchell College
• University of Bridgeport
• University of Hartford

After students apply through the Common App, eligible applicants will receive acceptance letters notifying them of their admission and encouraging them to enroll in one of the participating schools. The process requires only one application form and no fees.

Connecticut high school seniors planning to start college in the 2026-2027 academic year have until May 1, 2026 to apply.

Several Northeastern states and New York City have formally launched the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, a voluntary regional coalition aimed at improving coordination, sharing resources, and strengthening public health capacity and emergency preparedness.

Purpose & Goals:

• Promote evidence-based public health
• Build trust in vaccines and science
• Ensure equitable access to services
• Protect public health through data-driven decisions
• Joint planning on emergency preparedness, vaccines, data, labs, and workforce
• Coordinated guidance for healthcare workers during respiratory virus season
• Collaboration for 2026 FIFA World Cup public health readiness

The first in-person meeting was held this past August in Rhode Island. The states retain independence and may adapt initiatives to local needs. This collaborative aims to reimagine public health through shared innovation while respecting local autonomy.

Click here for more information.

Governor Ned Lamont has implemented several executive orders to ensure that residents who wish to be vaccinated continue to have access to vaccines and that coverage remains uninterrupted under state-regulated health insurance policies. The actions will:

• Permit pharmacists to order, prescribe, and administer the vaccine.
• Establish statewide guidelines for who is eligible to receive the vaccine - Adults of all ages can receive COVID-19 vaccinations at pharmacies and medical practices while children between 6 months and 18 years of age can receive vaccinations through pediatric providers participating in the Connecticut Vaccine Program (CVP).

The accessibility of vaccines should not be determined by partisan politics. These changes will ensure that Connecticut residents and doctors alike have all the tools necessary to keep us healthy.

Click here to learn more.

Governor Lamont recently announced a 33% increase in funding for Connecticut's Town Aid Road (TAR) grant program, with state support rising from $60 million to $80 million for FY26-27.

The TAR program supports all municipalities across our state with the costs of essential transportation-related needs, including road and bridge repair, snow plowing, tree trimming, traffic signal upgrades, public transit services, and more.

Public transportation and infrastructure are two of the most essential services provided by the government, and I'm excited to see this significant increase in funding.

For more information on the Town Aid Road grant program, and to see how much Branford has received from the program, click here.

You’re invited to come out on Saturday, September 27 from 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. to the Blackstone Library for An Afternoon with Van Gogh. There will be a viewing of the Academy Award winning film on his life "At Eternity's Gate." Then, head over to the BACA Gallery to explore local art inspired by Van Gogh’s unforgettable style. The event is free with required registration for the film.

Click here to register.

Join the Movement Community, a free eight-week, in-person group experience for people who are living with a life-disrupting loss on Sundays from September 28 to November 16 at 10:30 A.M. in front of New England Brewing Company.

It combines movement—like walking, hiking, or biking—with intentional grief support, held in community with others who get it. Each group includes 15–20 grievers and is guided by a trained E-Motion Facilitator.

Click here for more information and to register.