Juan R. Candelaria

It’s hard to believe, but we’re just a couple of weeks away from the start of another school year.

Connecticut’s 26th annual Sales Tax-Free Week begins on Sunday, August 17, and runs through Saturday, August 23. It is a great opportunity to tackle your back-to-school shopping without paying sales tax!

Boston, MA — On the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Connecticut’s Deputy Speakers Pro Tempore — Reps. Juan Candelaria, Chris Rosario, and Geraldo Reyes — joined legislative leaders from all 50 states and U.S. territories in Boston to rally against racial gerrymandering and defend the legacy of the civil rights movement.

Attention Future Educators in Connecticut!

The Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program, established by the Connecticut General Assembly and administered by the CT State Department of Education (CSDE), is now open for applications!

This scholarship supports students who:
Graduated from a public high school in an Alliance District

Are enrolled—or will soon enroll—in a teacher preparation program at a four-year college or university
Are in good academic standing
Meet any additional CSDE eligibility requirements

We’re putting our values into action. Connecticut is committed to keeping care accessible and affordable for all. With community health centers in every corner of the state, quality care is always within reach.

You can find a center near you at cthealthcenters.org

We're in the full swing of summer and after enduring an extreme heat wave, temperatures remain consistently high. Click here for a list of cooling centers in the New Haven area in case you need a place to cool down and stay safe.

Additionally, you can call 2-1-1 to access essential health and human services 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. The Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection also has tips on heat preparedness, staying cool, and staying hydrated which you will find below.

Happy Friday, and happy Independence Day!

I hope you'll join me in taking a moment to reflect on the true meaning of this important holiday. Independence Day is not just about fireworks and cookouts – its' about honoring the ideals of freedom, democracy, and the generations of Americans who have fought to protect them.

Several new laws that were passed during the 2025 legislative session take effect on Tuesday, July 1. Please click here to read about some of them!

Due to an anticipated stretch of high temperatures, the state is activating its Extreme Hot Weather Protocol, effective at noon on Sunday, June 22. The protocol will remain in effect through at least 8pm on Wednesday, June 25.

This is the first time this year that the protocol is being activated. The current forecast calls for temperatures to exceed 90 degrees over this period, with a heat index that could range from between 100 to 105 degrees.