Legislative Update 6.11

June 11, 2025



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Dear Neighbor,

With the 2025 legislative session in the books, I've had an opportunity to attend some wonderful events in the community, and I am sharing them in this week's newsletter.

I also want to thank you for your support.

As a Norwich native, I am proud to represent the 46th district, specifically - but I am just as committed to improving the lives of all of Norwich and the state of Connecticut. We didn't get everything passed that we wanted, but that's why I enjoy my role as a State Representative. The work is never done.

 I love challenges. 

We passed good legislation focused on healthcare, protecting our environment, improving our state's education programs, and more. Please see below for more.

As always, if I can be of assistance, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Derell.Wilson@cga.ct.gov.


Sincerely,

Derell Wilson
State Representative 

 
Statewide Job Fair @ CCSU in New Britain on Thursday

The ride could be very well worth taking! 

The list of participating employers for Thursday's Statewide Job Fair at Central Connecticut State has been updated. Please take a look at the flyer below for more details about this special event which kicks off at 10:30 a.m. at Central Connecticut State's Alumni Hall. 
 
Good News: Juneteenth A City Holiday in Norwich 

Some good news here!

The Norwich Town Council unanimously approved June 19th as Juneteenth Independence Day - and a city holiday! I could not be more pleased that our town, the first ever to have a Juneteenth celebration in the state (1989), has taken a further step in recognizing this day as a municipal holiday.

Juneteenth became recognized as a statewide holiday in 2022 while its recognition at the federal level happened in 2021. I was happy to share my thoughts in the Norwich Bulletin article. to read the story, please click HERE. 
 
Honoring Puerto Rican Heritage

I was proud to stand with Sen. Cathy Osten and community leaders at Saturday's Puerto Rican flag-raising ceremony at City Hall to honor our friends and their many contributions to the community!
 
Pride in Norwich

The Rose City Pride Flag-raising ceremony took place outside of City Hall on Friday. I was proud to be there as a supporter of the LGBT community. Congratulations to J.D. Donner who was also honored for his many years of community service. 
 
A Grand Opening: Platinum Cuts Barbershop

Welcome and thank you to Harrison Faison and Platinum Cuts for opening up on 187 Central Avenue in Norwich. We support local businesses. All the Best!
 
Groundbreaking: Stanton Elementary School 

Sen. Osten and I assisted in securing an 80 percent reimbursement rate for the new John B. Stanton Elementary School.

Students will continue attending the existing school for now but the new building is expected to be completed for the 2026-27 school year. Read more HERE.
 
The Budget? It's Done

As the CT Mirror’s budget reporter recently pointed out: “The state House of Representatives adopted a $55.8 billion two-year budget... that invests in child care and K-12 education, provides a $250 tax cut to working poor families...” 

Tax relief for working families; investing in education and special education; transformative funding for childcare and early childhood education; and standing up for nonprofit service providers are the pillars of the next state budget.

The budget we passed, along with the Senate, reflects shared values, marked by historic investments in children through expanded funding for special education and childcare.

It strengthens support for working families and ensures that the essential work of nonprofits is both valued and financially supported. These organizations are on the frontlines every day, serving our most vulnerable neighbors.

This budget affirms and reinforces their vital role in building a stronger, more inclusive community for all. Please read Governor Ned Lamont's statement on the budget, also known as HB7267 HERE.

This budget stands up for:

HISTORIC NEW FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

  • $40 million for Excess Cost Grant in each of the next two years
  • $30 million for Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program
  • $20 million in bonding to expand and upgrade special education facilities
  • $10 million in bonding for capital development
  • $10 million for Governor's Incentive District Grant
  • Hold harmless funding for Education Cost Sharing, so no school district sees a cut

CHILDCARE

  • Investible trust to provide sustainable funding for new childcare programs
  • Funding for direct healthcare of our children through DSS Medicaid

NONPROFIT PROVIDERS

  • Access to better health care and nonprofit community providers
  • $150 million for group homes and nursing homes
  • More than $60 million in Medicaid rate increases, which will benefit nonprofit providers 

TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES

  • Targeted, meaningful relief and long-term support for working families
  • Refundable tax credit of $250 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) framework
  • $500 refundable tax credit for home daycare owners that recognizes and sustains the vital care workforce
  • Tax credit for employers who contribute to their employees' CHET accounts

This is a budget that works for the people — one that safeguards essential services, uplifts communities, and lays the foundation for a future where every resident is supported and protected.
 
Addressing Childcare Crisis 

Every Connecticut family deserves affordable, high-quality childcare. With the passage of House Priority Bill 5003 and Senate Bill 1, transformative legislation is set to become reality by expanding access, supporting educators, and investing in a stronger future for our children and our economy. 

These smart, sustainable investments position Connecticut to lead the nation in delivering affordable, high-quality childcare and establishing universal Pre-K by 2032. 

The bills:
 
Provide a Sustainable Investment 

  • Fund the Early Childhood Education Endowment to invest in childcare now and in the future

Lower Costs and Increase Access

  • Childcare and Pre-K will be free for families in state-funded programs earning up to $100,000 and families making over $100,000 will pay no more than 7% of income
  • Add 16,000 new childcare and Pre-K slots across the state
  • Create an online portal to help families find and enroll in programs

Attract and Retain Early Childhood Educators

  • Pay qualified educators on par with public school teachers
  • Provide funding for health insurance coverage for educators   

This legislation delivers lasting solutions for families, educators, and the economy. Together, these measures provide relief for families, bolster the recruitment and retention of childcare educators, and invest in the construction and renovation of early learning facilities.

These bills represent a transformational step forward in Connecticut’s commitment to children and their future. 
 
Transforming Special Education 

For too long, Connecticut's special education model has faced fundamental flaws that prevented all students from receiving the proper education they deserve.

With the recent passage of our Special Education bill, we took important steps to reform this system.

This legislation, which passed 148-0 in the House on a bipartisan basis, makes historic investments for students in special education, delivers better access to services, and provides cost controls and greater transparency.
 
Key provisions of the bill include:

Historic investment in our students, including $30 million for the Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program, which will help build capacity to serve students closer to home.
 
Prioritizing better access to services through enhanced development screenings, behavioral assessment, and intervention plans, access to remedial classes in higher education, and involvement of parents and local school districts before a student is moved from their school.
 
Reining in costs by regulating third-party rate processes and developing new billing and licensing standards.
 
Increasing oversight through on-site compliance visits and detailed system-wide reporting to reduce unpredictability and improve accountability.
 
Children are our future, and it is our responsibility to provide them with a proper education. In a state that has one of the best K-12 public school systems in the country, this bill ensures our special education program maintains that same level of quality. This bill has passed the House and Senate and awaits the Governor's signature.
 
A Look at Bills Passed in the House

Please click on the image below for a look at the bills passed in the House during the 2025 legislative session.
 
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