Equal Pay Day, World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship and Spring Happenings in CT

March 26, 2025



 

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March 25th marked how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year – an undeniable reminder of the persistent wage gap and the ongoing fight for gender equality in the workplace. Equal Pay Day highlights the system barriers that continue to disadvantage women, particularly women of color, who face even wider pay disparities.

In Connecticut, we are making significant strides to close this gap through legislation like the Pay Equity and Opportunity Act, which:

  • strengthens pay transparency
  • bans employers from asking about salary history
  • ensures that workers are paid fairly based on skills and expertise

There is still work to do. Pay inequity affects families, communities, and the overall economy. When women are paid fairly, households are stronger, children have better opportunities, and businesses benefit from a more motivated and diverse workforce.

Together, we are working toward a future where equal work means equal pay for everyone. We can build a Connecticut where no one is shortchanged simply because of their gender.
 

World Taekwondo Poomsae Championship

Several months ago students of World Champion Taekwondo attended the 2024 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Korea. I was thrilled to be able to honor the athlete’s hard work, dedication and passion for this sport. It was also a privilege to recognize the accomplishments of Master Kyeongseob Han and  World Champion Taekwondo Branford with a Proclamation from Governor Ned Lamont. For the last 18 years, the studio has been a nurturing environment for students of every age to develop skills that echo beyond the four walls of the dojang. Master Han’s commitment to fostering a safe, encouraging environment for growth is a testament to the positive culture cultivated. Such a joy to participate!
 

Early Childhood Care and
Education Community Discussion


I invite you to a community conversation about how my colleagues and I are working to strengthen early childhood care and education in Connecticut. This is an opportunity to learn about key legislation designed to support our children, families, and educators – and to share your thoughts on what more we can do. High-quality early childhood care and education is the foundation of a child’s development and a critical investment in our future.

State Representatives Kate Farrar, Mary Welander and I will break down Democratic House Priority Bill 5003. This transformative legislation aims to:

  • deliver faster and more reliable funding to families in need
  • attract and retain dedicated childcare educators through better wages and support
  • create and improve current childcare facilities to meet growing demand

Your voice matters in shaping the future of early childhood care. We hope you will join us and be part of the conversation on Thursday, April 10 at 6 P.M. at Branford Early Learning Center. I look forward to seeing you there!
 

Community Listening Session


This past Saturday I held a Listening Session and schools were definitely top of mind. My takeaways were that people came out to talk about early education, preserving rights of students with disabilities, lost federal dollars and the impacts of chronic underfunding. Fortunately, we have bills that tackle a lot of these issues.
 
 

Community Events
 

Spring Happenings in CT

From exploring the outdoors to waterfront adventures to parks, gardens, museums, and much more.  Click the image below to access the 2025 Guide of the Best Things to do in Connecticut this Spring.  

If you are ready for an outdoor hiking adventure join the 2025 Sky's The Limit Hiking Challenge.  Click the image below for information on how to participate and a list of the hiking locations.

For those of you who love to run click the image below for a list of all of the 5K Runs in Connecticut this Spring.

Support local farms this spring and summer, click the image below to get a list of Farmer's Markets all across the state.  It's always fun to incorporate stopping by a Farmer's Market in a day trip.