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The legislative session has wrapped up, and it's been a meaningful and productive time at the Capitol. As always, I am honored to serve as your state representative and voice in Hartford. Every vote I cast is with our communities in mind.
It's a privilege to collaborate with my colleagues, engage in thoughtful debate, and push for progress together. I'm proud of the work we accomplished including investing in special education, lowering child care costs, cutting your electric bill, and strengthening services for our veterans. I'll break down how these bills will support our communities and state. |
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In Woodbridge, drivers can expect slowdowns on Friday afternoon for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Please keep reading to find out exactly when and where the convoy of police cars may be in your neighborhood.
The public had the opportunity to get its first look inside of the historic Sterling Opera House in Derby. I'll share pictures of that delightful tour below.
Here are the sections and topics in this week's email:
- Our Budget Puts People First
- Addressing the Child Care Crisis
- Lowering Electric Rates
- More Support For Our Veterans
- Expect Delays For Special Olympics Torch Run
- Ramp Closures on Route 8 in Derby
- Closer Look at Sterling Opera House
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
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| Our Budget Puts People First |
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The House adopted a $55.8 billion two-year budget that invests in child care, K-12 education, and special education, while providing tax relief for working families and supporting nonprofit service providers.
Our budget reflects shared values, marked by historic investments in children through expanded funding for special education and childcare. It strengthens support for working families and ensures that the essential work of nonprofits is both valued and financially supported. These organizations are on the front lines every day, serving our most vulnerable neighbors. This budget affirms and reinforces their vital role in building a stronger, more inclusive community for all. |
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This budget stands up for:
HISTORIC NEW FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION
- $40 million for Excess Cost Grant in each of next two years
- $30 million for Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program
- $20 million in bonding to expand and upgrade special education facilities
- $10 million in bonding for capital development
- $10 million for Governor's Incentive District Grant
- Hold harmless funding for Education Cost Sharing, so no school district sees a cut
CHILDCARE
- Investible trust to provide sustainable funding for new childcare programs
- Funding for direct healthcare of our children through DSS Medicaid
NONPROFIT PROVIDERS
- Access to better health care and nonprofit community providers
- $150 million for groups homes and nursing homes
- More than $60 million in Medicaid rate increases, which will benefit nonprofit providers
TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES
- Targeted, meaningful relief and long-term support for working families
- Refundable tax credit of $250 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) framework
- $500 refundable tax credit for home daycare owners that recognizes and sustains the vital care workforce
- Tax credit for employers who contribute to their employees' CHET accounts
This is a budget that works for the people — one that safeguards essential services, uplifts communities, and lays the foundation for a future where every resident is supported and protected. I'm proud to have cast a vote in support of this measure.
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| Addressing the Child Care Crisis |
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| Every Connecticut family deserves affordable, high-quality child care. With the passage of House Priority Bill 5003 and Senate Bill 1, transformative legislation is set to become reality by expanding access, supporting educators, and investing in a stronger future for our children and our economy. These smart, sustainable investments position Connecticut to lead the nation in delivering affordable, high quality child care and establishing universal Pre-K by 2032. |
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The bills:
Provide a Sustainable Investment
- Fund the Early Childhood Education Endowment to invest in child care now and in the future
Lower Costs and Increase Access
- Child care and Pre-K will be free for families in state-funded programs earning up to $100,000 and families making over $100,000 will pay no more than 7% of income
- Add 16,000 new child care and Pre-K slots across the state
- Create an online portal to help families find and enroll in programs
Attract and Retain Early Childhood Educators
- Pay qualified educators on par with public school teachers
- Provide funding for health insurance coverage for educators
This legislation delivers lasting solutions for families, educators, and the economy. Together, these measures provide relief for families, bolster recruitment and retention of child care educators, and invest in the construction and renovation of early learning facilities. These bills represent a transformational step forward in Connecticut’s commitment to children and their future.
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| The House and Senate took bold, bipartisan action to lower electric bills—passing a comprehensive energy reform bill with more than $780 million in savings for ratepayers. |
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| By easing costs on consumers, modernizing the grid, and investing in clean energy, we are powering a more affordable, reliable, and accountable energy future for all. |
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| This legislation also expands access to a broader range of renewable energy sources, ensuring the benefits of clean energy are more equitably distributed -- particularly in Environmental Justice communities, such as Derby, that have faced the brunt of pollution and energy inequity. By prioritizing sustainable solutions and environmental equity, this bill moves Connecticut closer to a cleaner, fairer energy future for all. |
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| More Support For Our Veterans |
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The House of Representatives passed the final portion of the CT Hero Act via House Bill 6438, a crucial step toward strengthening and expanding the services veterans rely on.
The bipartisan legislation represents our commitment to ensuring services for those who’ve served our country.
This measure reaffirms Connecticut’s commitment to honoring our veterans and standing with those who have served. |
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Key provisions of the bill include:
- Making it easier for disabled veterans to qualify for state benefits: exempting veteran disability pay as an income requirement for certain state benefits
- Hiring more state employees to help connect veterans to their benefits: hiring veteran service officers to this Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans in qualifying for the VA disability claims.
- Guaranteeing free college tuition for disabled veterans: preventing higher ed institutions from charging fees
- Making it easier for veterans to qualify for free legal service: exempting veteran disability pay from an income requirement when determining access to public defenders.
- Making it easier for veterans and veteran own businesses to qualify for loans through D.E.C.D.
- Directing the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to study: claim sharks and the municipal veterans representative program.
The measure moves to the governor's desk after passing both chambers.
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| Expect Delays For Special Olympics Torch Run |
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| You can expect delays on Friday afternoon as Woodbridge Police participate in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Officers will receive the Flame of Hope on Ansonia Road at the Ansonia Town line around 3:43 p.m. They will carry it to Beecher Road (4:03 pm), then Center Road (4:20pm), followed by Amity Road to the New Haven Town line (4:43pm) where they will hand it off to New Haven Police Department officers. |
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| You should avoid the area, but if you see the action, do not cut the lead police vehicle and support vehicles at the rear, even if there is a gap. |
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| Ramp Closures on Route 8 in Derby |
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Drivers should be aware of ramp closures on Route 8 in Derby and Shelton as part of an emergency declaration. Crews are working on the Commodore Hull Bridge, which carries Route 8 over the Housatonic River and Route 110.
The on-ramps at Exit 12A on Route 8 in both directions are closed until further notice. This will allow the Department of Transportation to coordinate lane shifts to maintain two lanes of traffic. |
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| Closer Look at Sterling Opera House |
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I would like to thank the Sterling Opera House Commission for providing its first public tours of the building as part of Derby's 350th anniversary celebration!
The Sterling Opera House is a cornerstone of the city's rich history and culture, and visitors say it was incredible to walk through and imagine its vibrant past and bright future. |
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| Check out the events and community calendar in Derby below. |
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| Stop by Derby Neck Library on Thursday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. for an adults only Musical Bingo: Pride Edition! Choose a bingo card full of music by iconic queer artists, then check off the songs as they come up on our shuffled Pride Month playlist. Winners will receive one month of Spotify Premium. |
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| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
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| Look at the flyers below to learn more about the upcoming events in Hamden. |
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| Check out the flyers and community calendar in Orange below. |
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| Mr. Donald’s Farm is open Saturday, June 7 and every following Saturday from 10:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. |
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| You're invited to play in the PickleSpot's Hello Summer Doubles Tournament on Saturday and Sunday! The indoor courts are located at 401 Boston Post Road in Orange. CLICK HERE to learn more and register. |
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| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
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Check out the events and community calendar below.
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| Massaro Community Farm's bee keeping workshop returns on Saturday, June 7 at 9 a.m. Participants will perform routine hive inspections, check the colony's health, and strengthen it with pest treatment if necessary. |
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| Touch-A-Truck at the JCC of Greater New Haven is an interactive, hands-on-event on Sunday from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. that allows children to climb on, explore and discover their favorite trucks and vehicles, including fire engines, police cars and construction trucks. This special event includes over 20 different vehicles, food, arts & crafts, bounce house, and DJ fun for everyone. Learn more here. |
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