Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I have several announcements to share with you this week!

Representative Susan Johnson visited with students at two Willimantic elementary schools to encourage reading and promote civic engagement among young people.

It's been another busy week in Hartford and I'm pleased to say that I have great news to share!

Rep. Henry Genga joins his colleagues in announcing that they have obtained an additional $915,000 for the East Hartford school system in the new state budget approved earlier this month. The extra funding will help the town because of its inordinate percentage of students who attend magnet schools outside of East Hartford.

The increasing cost of special education has placed a strain on many school budgets, especially Bridgeport’s. We are confident that a regional special education school can improve education outcomes for many students.

Today I gave a send-off from the State Capitol steps to 55 students traveling to the National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo (NICEE). The Connecticut inventors in grades four through twelve will travel from the State Capitol to Washington, D.C. to compete at the convention.

It's been another busy week here at the Capitol and today, the House met for a special session to discuss and vote on the budget. I will continue to update you on the details of the budget and how it effects East Hartford, South Windsor and Manchester in the upcoming week.

This week marked the last day of the legislative session!