| |
| |
I would like wish those who celebrate a Happy Easter. I'm sure the kids are looking forward to all the egg hunts this weekend. May this day bring hope, renewal, and time well spent with loved ones.
At the Capitol, the legislative session is moving quickly right now, with committees wrapping up their work by deadlines to start sending bills to the floor. I'll keep you updated on any developments for bills affecting the 114th District. |
|
|
The state is expanding benefits for firefighters to include free, enhanced cancer screenings. I'll break down why this is such an important development for the health of our firefighters who keep us safe.
Drivers can expect to see some road work and that means you will need to slow down. Keep scrolling to see where there will be delays.
Here are the sections and topics in this week's email:
- Prioritizing Early Childhood Measures
- Opportunity to Weigh in on Special Ed Bill
- Cancer Screenings for Firefighters
- Firefighters Support Those with Lung Disease
- Pavement Marking Projects in Orange
- Delays Expected on Route 15 for Bridge Work
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
|
|
| Prioritizing Early Childhood Measures |
|
|
| As the Chair of the Early Childhood Caucus, I’ve made it a priority this session to hear directly from families, educators, and providers about the many proposals that could affect the early childhood profession. |
|
|
There are several great ideas on the table focusing on strengthening our child care system and supporting the dedicated workforce behind it. Some of the proposals including:
|
|
I would like to thank Bill Okwuosa and the entire team from Good Child Development Center in Milford for the warm welcome and for taking the time to share their valuable insights and concerns with me. The on-the-ground perspective is vital as we work to craft policies that truly support children, families, and providers across Connecticut.
While I was there, I could not pass up the opportunity to chat with the kids – nothing beats seeing firsthand joy and learning that happens in these classrooms every day. |
|
| Opportunity to Weigh in on Special Ed Bill |
|
|
The Select Committee on Special Education invites you to weigh in at a public hearing this Monday at 10 a.m. to hear your feedback on House Bill 7277, a comprehensive proposal aimed at improving special education service across Connecticut.
This legislation represents a significant step toward addressing long-standing challenges in how we support students with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who serve them. As we continue to refine and strengthen the bill, the voices of educators, families, advocates, and community members are essential to getting it right. |
|
Your experiences, ideas, and concerns can help ensure this legislation reflects the real needs of our students and builds a more equitable and effective special education system.
I encourage anyone with insight or lived experience to participate. CLICK HERE to testify and CLICK HERE to submit written testimony. |
|
| Cancer Screenings for Firefighters |
|
|
| Due to repeated exposure to smoke, toxic chemicals, and carcinogens in the line of duty, evidence has shown that firefighters have a greater prevalence of cancer than the general population. These heroes have high-risk jobs and keep our communities safe. The last thing they need to worry about is navigating their healthcare. |
|
I am happy to share that, effective May 1, 2025, the State of Connecticut is expanding the benefits it provides to firefighters to include free, enhanced cancer screenings. That means more than 900 firefighters enrolled in the state employee health plan and Partnership Plan will now have free access to a comprehensive, full-body scan once every two years.
Any firefighter enrolled on the state employee health plan or Partnership Plan who is seeking more information can visit carecompass.ct.gov to connect with a representative, schedule an appointment, and find providers in their area. |
|
| Firefighters Support Those with Lung Disease |
|
|
Thank you to everyone who supported the Orange Volunteer Fire Department in this year’s The Fight For Air Climb Hartford.
The team raised nearly $4,000 for the American Lung Association and finished 39th in the country in fundraising last year. Donations are open until May, 3rd, so there is still time to consider contributing to the American Lung Association fight to end lung disease! CLICK HERE to donate. |
|
| Pavement Marking Projects in Orange |
|
|
|
The state will repaint important traffic safety lines on a number of busy roads from now through November 3. Crews will close lanes while they’re working on those projects. Here are the locations in Orange:
- Route 152 from Route 1 to Route 34 (map below)
- Route 1 from the I-95 overpass to Olive Street
- I-95 from the Marsh Hill Road underpass to Exit 50
|
|
CLICK HERE for more information.
|
|
| Delays Expected on Route 15 for Bridge Work |
|
|
| Drivers can anticipate delays on Route 15 North over Fountain Street in Woodbridge and New Haven for bridge maintenance. There may be intermittent lane closures between Exits 58 and 59 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday to reconstruct the bridge parapet. The plan is to eventually switch to the southbound lanes and repeat the process. Engineers believe the project will take three months. |
|
| Check out the events and community calendar in Derby below. |
|
| Enjoy a nature walk with the community every Friday from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the meadow at Kellogg Environmental Center. Registration is required. |
|
| Connecticut Foodshare will give away free food to the community on Tuesday from 2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church on Elizabeth Street. Make sure to bring a bag so you can bring food home. |
|
| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
|
|
| Look at the fliers below to learn more about the upcoming events in Hamden. |
|
| Check out the flier and community calendar in Orange below. |
|
| Case Memorial Library invites you to make a colorful, fuzzy magnet to help you hang your drawings on the fridge to celebrate the start of spring! You can stop by the library from Monday through Saturday to make your own. |
|
| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
|
|
|
Check out the events and community calendar below.
|
|
| The beekeeping workshops are underway at Massero Community Farm. It will host its first hive inspection of the season on Saturday at 9 a.m. Participants will examine frames for healthy and unhealthy brood patterns. They will also learn how to determine queen health, check bee food supply during the 'honey flow,' and what to look for as your colony builds up. CLICK HERE to register. |
|
| Woodbridge Town Library is hosting a Scrabble group on Wednesday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Scrabble group also plays other games in the Woodbridge Room. |
|
|
|
| |
|
