Corey P. Paris

Connecticut is forecasted to experience extreme temperatures from today through the evening of Friday, August 13. Cooling centers are opening across the state to provide residents with immediate relief from the heat. To find a cooling center near you, dial 2-1-1 or click here.

This week, more than $16 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief II (ESSER II) funds was made available to 170 school districts across Connecticut. This relief money will allow schools throughout our state to provide special education services to more than 80,000 students during the upcoming school year.

Access Health CT (AHCT) has extended the deadline for its Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to October 31st, making it easier and more convenient than ever for Connecticut residents to obtain a good, quality, affordable health insurance plan.

Applications are now being accepted for Connecticut’s free community college program. The deadline for the upcoming school year is July 15.

As we approach the end of our 2021 Regular Legislative Session, I couldn’t be prouder of the work we have been able to accomplish as we all learned new and unprecedented ways to stay connected with each of you. This session, we passed a $46.4 billion biennium budget with a $2.3 billion surplus that is strong on taxes, offers relief from the ravages of COVID-19, helps jumpstart our economy, and invests in our cities and towns, nonprofits and working families.

Yesterday, the House sent a powerful piece of legislation to the Governor’s desk. S.B. 1 declares that racism is a public health crisis in our state.

House and Senate Democrats have directed a spotlight on the historic investments in our proposed state budget for the next biennium.

The House of Representatives passed legislation this week to make voting more accessible and convenient for Connecticut residents. HB 6205 expands eligibility for absentee voting in a common-sense way.