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| We are approaching the period of time of the legislative session when the House and Senate regularly vote on bills in our respective chambers. We will be in session three times next week, and I'll keep you posted on any important developments. |
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This week, I listened to parents, educators, advocates, and students share their support and concerns about a number of proposals involving special education. I'll provide a closer look at the bills, which we are tweaking.
A new music and art space called The River Room is open to the public! Keep scrolling to learn more about the facility that we hope will become a staple in downtown Willimantic!
The state is offering a new resource to keep track of federal funding cuts in our state. I'll walk you through how it works and how to report the impacts of those changes.
Here are the sections in today's email:
- Special Education Bills
- The River Room Grand Opening
- Celebration of Funds to Address Waste Crisis
- Keep Track of Federal Funding Cuts
- Work Zone Awareness Week
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I am proud to serve on the Select Committee on Special Education, which has introduced two proposals, House Bill 7277 and Senate Bill 1561, to better support children with special needs, their families, and the educators who work so hard on their behalf.
Special education is a fundamental human right. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that meets their unique needs. These bills are a work in progress but attempt to take meaningful steps toward ensuring that right is protected and strengthened across Connecticut.
Right now, our system is under enormous strain. We do not have enough special education teachers, districts often do not have the funding to create in-district programs, and the costs for general special education as well as out of district placements continues to rise at an unsustainable level. |
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Some districts spend millions to place kids in private programs, and some families are being left behind, struggling with long waitlists and unaffordable costs when out-of-district options are their only choice.
While my colleagues and I make changes to the existing bills, the work has not happened in a vacuum. The Select Committee undertook a statewide listening tour to hear from parents, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students. Their feedback has been crucial in shaping these bills, and we remain committed to a fair, transparent process that prioritizes the voices of those most affected.
Our goal is to build a special education system that is equitable, effective, and centered on what’s best for our children and families. |
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| The River Room Grand Opening |
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| It was a privilege to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the River Room in Willimantic! This new and intimate music, art, and dance venue has the potential to become a cultural anchor in our community. The River Room will serve as a launchpad of inspiration and allow artists to grow in a 65-seat speakeasy style area that will also include open mics, comedy, and documentary screenings. |
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| More than 100 people attended the event, which featured touching speeches from members of the community, elected officials, volunteers, workers, and donors. Congratulations to the River Room, which we all hope will be a vibrant part of Willimantic for years to come! |
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| Celebration of Funds to Address Waste Crisis |
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I was honored to stand with advocates as we celebrated more than $425,000 in state grants to address Connecticut’s solid waste crisis. This investment will improve our environment, public health, economy, and much more. Let me explore how this funding will be used in practice.
Crews will collect food waste from a voluntary network of schools, residents, and visitors at community events. In-vessel composting technology will process the waste -- mixing, irrigating, and kickstarting the microbial process at Windham’s transfer station. |
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The technology captures the emissions and treats them in a biofilter during the process. Then, material is stabilized, and compost is ready to be cured in about one to three weeks. Crews will distribute finished compost to the community, schools, and home gardens. School collection will be piloted at Windham Middle School with plans to expand to other schools in the future.
I would like to thank all our partners for making this investment a reality including:
- Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments
- Town of Windham
- Commercially Licensed Cooperative Kitchen
- Eastern Connecticut State University’s Institute for Sustainability
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| Keep Track of Federal Funding Cuts |
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The state has launched a reporting tool for businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities in Connecticut that have been affected by federal funding cuts, layoffs, tariffs, or other recent actions.
The state will compile the data into a central database and provide policymakers with a better understanding of how these directives impact various groups, geographical regions, and sectors of the economy. |
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| Users will need to create a login and then will be prompted with a series of questions to report any impacts they may be experiencing. Report only confirmed issue that you’ve encountered, not potential impacts. Any information that is reported will become public information. |
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Work Zone Awareness Week isn’t just a reminder to slow down - it’s a call to recognize the real people behind every reflective vest. Let’s drive like their lives depend on it!
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Please join me in thanking those who put their lives on the line every day to keep our roads safe, and remembering those we’ve tragically lost in work zone accidents. Their dedication deserves our respect, and their safety requires our attention. Please, slow down, stay alert, and move over in work zones.
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