Month: April 2025

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN DENOUNCES HATEFUL, HOMOPHOBIC AND TRANSPHOBIC FLYERS SPREAD IN DEEP RIVER

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN DENOUNCES HATEFUL, HOMOPHOBIC AND TRANSPHOBIC FLYERS SPREAD IN DEEP RIVER

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) issued the following statement in response to flyers distributed around the Deep River community with homophobic and transphobic messaging this morning, related to an event scheduled at the Deep River Public Library sponsored by the Tri-Town Youth Service Bureau:

“These flyers go far beyond reasonable rhetoric and delve into homophobic and transphobic falsehoods, as well as direct attacks against individuals that could be interpreted as libel or hate speech. I would like to echo First Selectman Carol Jones and encourage anyone who may have witnessed the flyers’ distribution or who may have home security footage depicting it to contact the Deep River Police Department. What makes our communities great is that they are open and welcoming to all and encourage strong civic participation. These flyers do the opposite in disparaging, demonizing and attacking minority groups under false pretenses using false information. Deep River is better than this, and there should be no room for hate speech here or anywhere.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

Senator Hochadel Condemns Federal Cuts to Connecticut Education

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Condemns Federal Cuts to Connecticut Education

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, issued the following statement Tuesday in response to the Trump administration’s decision to freeze around $14 million in funding for Connecticut schools:

“When President Trump decided to withhold $14 million from Connecticut schools, he sent one of two messages: either Trump believes Connecticut students deserve less support or Trump believes Connecticut families deserve to pay more in property taxes. Both are wrong, offensive and should be rejected by everyone in this state, regardless of their political affiliation. I will do whatever I can to ensure we support our students as best we can against these vile cuts.”

Senator Marx Disgusted By $2.1 Million in Federal Cuts to Local Education

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Marx Disgusted By $2.1 Million in Federal Cuts to Local Education

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) issued the following statement in response to an announced $2,105,069 in total federal education funding cuts in the 20th Senate District, including $1,961,395 lost from New London schools, $99,801 cut in Montville schools and $43,873 removed from East Lyme schools:

“I’m disgusted by this latest show of reckless spending cuts shown by the federal government. These are funds that just one month ago were said to be safe by the Department of Education; now they’re gone, and our districts will have to either cut important services or throw a wrench into their communities’ budgets. This money would have supported tutoring, course expansions, teacher development, student support, work to reduce absenteeism and many more aspects of care that have been making real differences for local students.

We’re only in month three of the Trump Administration and our communities are already seeing the impacts – millions of dollars stripped from local education, on top of previous programming cuts and federal layoffs. This isn’t crying wolf or overreacting – this is money taken directly out of classrooms and away from students in our region. This is abhorrent at a time when education funding is more important than ever and shows that whatever the President is working toward, it’s not the best outcome for all Americans.”

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Condemns over $763k in Federal Cuts to Bridgeport Schools

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Condemns over $763k in Federal Cuts to Bridgeport Schools

BRIDGEPORT – Today, State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox issued the following statement in response to $14 million in federal cuts to education funding for Connecticut, which includes $763,841 in cuts to Bridgeport Public Schools. These cuts come just days after the Trump administration cut $155 million in previously allocated public health aid.

“The hits just keep coming and it is our most vulnerable residents who are bearing the brunt of the Trump administration’s ill-advised and destructive funding cuts. After cutting millions to public health and addiction services earlier this week, Donald Trump has now frozen millions more for Connecticut schools, including nearly $800,000 for Bridgeport. These cuts will devastate not just students, teachers, families –  but also municipal budgets and local taxpayers. These reckless cuts will affect communities and families across Connecticut, regardless of who they voted for, just to put more dollars back in the pockets of billionaires.”

Senator Gaston Outraged Trump Freezes Federal Aid for Education in CT, Over 700K Taken from Bridgeport

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Gaston Outraged Trump Freezes Federal Aid for Education in CT, Over 700K Taken from Bridgeport

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), issued a statement following President Donald Trump’s freeze of $14 million in federal aid for K-12 education in CT. Specifically, Bridgeport School District will lose $763,841 in funding.

“Donald Trump’s draconian cuts to education undermine the future of our nation, our state, and our local school districts by diminishing access to quality learning opportunities for our students, weakening our public schools, and disproportionately harming our vulnerable communities.

“These reckless reductions prioritize short-term financial savings over long-term investments in the intellectual growth and development of young people, which ultimately stifles economic and social progress.

“I will continue to raise my voice and vehemently oppose these reckless measures that undermine the education of our students. Now more than ever, we must collectively fight to ensure that every child in America has access to a quality and competent education, regardless of what they look like or where they come from.”

Senator Gaston Releases Statement after Officer-Involved Shooting

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Gaston Releases Statement after Officer-Involved Shooting

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, is releasing a statement following an officer-involved shooting that happened in Bridgeport yesterday.

“I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family of the individual who lost their life. A life lost is always a heartbreaking event, and we as a community will collectively think of the loved ones affected,” said Senator Gaston. “While I understand the pain and uncertainty this causes, I also know that more information will be forthcoming as investigations continue. As the chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, it’s important to allow procedural due process. I will be in close conversation with law enforcement and the community as we receive more information about the incident.”

Senators Looney & Duff Denounce $14 Million in Federal Cuts to CT Education

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney & Duff Denounce $14 Million in Federal Cuts to CT Education

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement in response to $14 million in federal cuts to education funding for Connecticut.

“Pulling critical education funding is a reckless decision that will directly harm Connecticut’s students, teachers, and families. Our cities and towns depend on these funds, and some have already allocated the money for their schools.

“What’s worse is the deafening silence from Connecticut Republicans. Instead of standing up for our children and schools, they are once again invisible and unwilling to criticize this latest federal fiscal attack against the most vulnerable in our state.

“We know Donald Trump doesn’t care about raising property taxes and cutting school services. We wish Connecticut Republicans did.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193

Senators Looney & Duff Denounce $14 Million in Federal Cuts to CT Education

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney & Duff Denounce $14 Million in Federal Cuts to CT Education

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement in response to $14 million in federal cuts to education funding for Connecticut.

“Pulling critical education funding is a reckless decision that will directly harm Connecticut’s students, teachers, and families. Our cities and towns depend on these funds, and some have already allocated the money for their schools.

“What’s worse is the deafening silence from Connecticut Republicans. Instead of standing up for our children and schools, they are once again invisible and unwilling to criticize this latest federal fiscal attack against the most vulnerable in our state.

“We know Donald Trump doesn’t care about raising property taxes and cutting school services. We wish Connecticut Republicans did.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193

SEN. FLEXER CONDEMNS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUT OF $200,000 TO PUTNAM AND MANSFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Posted on by Devin James

SEN. FLEXER CONDEMNS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUT OF $200,000 TO PUTNAM AND MANSFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICTS

WINDHAM  – State Senator Mae Flexer today issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s weekend announcement of $14 million in federal cuts to education funding for Connecticut, including a $144,757 cut to the Putnam school system and a $54,561 cut to the Mansfield school system.

The funds pay for academically focused initiatives such as high-dosage tutoring, scientifically based reading instruction, mathematics professional learning, digital curriculum and online courses, talent development initiatives including a Teacher-Leader-in-Residence to implement the Connecticut Troops to Teachers (CTTT) Program, student support initiatives including efforts to reduce the number of youth interacting with the juvenile justice system, no-cost access to vision care for students from low-income families, and school-based mentoring programs to reduce chronic absenteeism.

“At a time when our students are still recovering from the educational destruction that occurred during the years of the COVID pandemic, it is simply unacceptable that these necessary resources for our kids are being cut by the Trump administration,” Sen. Flexer said. “We have to stand together and fight the disastrous decisions of Donald Trump and Linda McMahon that are damaging our schools and our students.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Sen. Lesser Statement on Trump Withholding $1.9M from Planned Parenthood

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Lesser Statement on Trump Withholding $1.9M from Planned Parenthood

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser, Senate Chair of the Human Services Committee issued a statement on the Trump administration decision to withhold $1.89 million in annual Title X funding from the Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE). Title X was enacted in the 1970s with bipartisan support to provide family planning and sexual health services. Today, PPSNE’s Title X program provides essential, preventive health care, like birth control, STI testing and treatment, and cancer screenings to 48,000 people.

“Another day, another devastating cut from the Trump administration. After his activist Supreme Court struck down Roe and millions of Americans took to the streets and ballot measures in protest, Donald Trump promised he would not pass a nationwide abortion ban. Instead, he is making a boogeyman out of essential care providers like Planned Parenthood and cutting their federal funding, essentially ensuring that access to care is defunct. I am pleased that earlier this year my colleagues and I, anticipating cuts just like this one, provided immediate funds to Planned Parenthood. But with the price tag of these cuts rising daily at this point, I don’t know how much more harm we can mitigate.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin | Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov