Month: July 2025

SENATOR ANWAR GRATEFUL AS SOUTH WINDSOR RECEIVES $4.1 MILLION FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR ANWAR GRATEFUL AS SOUTH WINDSOR RECEIVES $4.1 MILLION FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) was grateful South Windsor was awarded $4,137,576 in transportation funds through the Connecticut Department of Transportation to support road reconstruction work. The funds support efforts to improve Dart Hill Road for local travelers.

This $4.1 million allocation comes as part of a $57.3 million release of funds for 17 projects across the state through the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program, which has operated since 2013 to provide state support to municipalities for local infrastructure projects.

According to South Windsor town information, the reconstruction work on Dart Hill Road will include new drainage, improved alignments, a new road base, new pavement, and new sidewalks on the north side of the road. Work started in June and is expected to be complete in November.

“This local support will mean so much for town residents, as Dart Hill Road is an often-traveled road connecting Ellington Road and bringing motorists from South Windsor to Vernon and vice versa,” said Sen. Anwar. “Improving this connection point will deliver real benefits for our town and I’m pleased by and grateful for the state’s investments in our local transportation needs.”

“LOTCIP is delivering state funds to projects that make a difference in local communities. By taking on the burden of dealing with federal red tape, CTDOT helps municipalities deliver important projects more efficiently and quickly,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto.

SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $780,450 IN GRANTS FOR NEW LONDON, WATERFORD OPEN SPACE

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $780,450 IN GRANTS FOR NEW LONDON, WATERFORD OPEN SPACE

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) welcomed a total of $780,450 in state funding supporting the acquisition just over 188 acres of open space in New London and Waterford. The two properties that local land trusts will gain access to will provide educational and recreational resources for local residents and protect natural spaces in New London County communities.

The grants were part of a larger awarding of more than $15 million across more than 2,250 acres of open space across 22 towns and cities in the state and to create six new community green spaces. The funds are via the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

“This remarkable investment by the state to protect local lands will keep our region beautiful, with important wildlife and plant species preserved,” said Sen. Marx. “I’m encouraged that centuries-old history and numerous trails will offer new ways for local residents to learn, hike and explore. Our region is grateful for the state’s foresight and support of natural land.”

“Open space is a big contributor to our great quality of life here in Connecticut, and we are excited to help all these communities improve access to the outdoors with these funds,” Governor Lamont said. “These community assets help our residents stay active and healthy by providing free recreational opportunities while also helping to improve air and water quality. Open space makes Connecticut a great place to live, work, and play.”

In New London, the Avalonia Land Conservancy will receive a total of $227,950 to support its acquisition of the 22.85-acre Shiloh Preserve on Williams Street. The property abuts I-95 and Route 32’s interchange and the Connecticut College Arboretum. Preserving it will support local ecosystems and also provide passing recreational use and educational opportunities, as it holds remnants of local history dating back to the Revolutionary War.

In Waterford, the Avalonia Land Conservancy will receive another $552,500 for the acquisition of the 165.3-acre Harlow Conservation Area on Butlertown Road in Watertown, a large property that will protect local waterways and avian wildlife. Pedestrians will be able to access passive recreational opportunities like hiking, biking and winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing  on the property.

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Slams Trump Administration Freezing $4M for Local Schools

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Slams Trump Administration Freezing $4M for Local Schools

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, Senate Chair of the Special Education Committee, slammed the Trump administration for withholding over $4 million from Bridgeport, Monroe and Trumbull schools.

Late last month, the Trump Administration froze $6.8 billion in federal K-12 education funding for the 2025-26 school year. Connecticut schools are set to lose $53.6 million, 10% of their total federal education funding for the school year. Local schools will see significant funding cuts:

Bridgeport: $3,808,657
Monroe: $67,873
Trumbull: $153,137
Total Funding Loss: $4,029,667

“We have a constitutional obligation to provide a proper education to every student in Connecticut, and the President has a legal obligation to allocate dollars approved by Congress,” said Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox. “As Senate Chair of the Special Education Committee, I traveled across the state this session to hear from students, parents, teachers, administrators and local officials on the educational obstacles they face. The one constant we heard over and over again was they needed more funding. Our education budgets, while essential to our communities, can be an extraordinary burden on local taxpayers and municipal budgets. These cuts are not only illegal and immoral, but they are a contradiction to this administration’s claims to fiscal conservatism. From slashing Medicaid and food assistance programs, to now taking dollars out of our local classrooms, this administration is simply shifting the tax burden to working families to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. The hits just keep coming and while we will do all we can, Connecticut cannot afford to completely insulate our residents from the actions of this administration.”

This legislative session, the state legislature passed a budget that prioritized municipal aid and local schools. The state budget delivered Bridgeport, Trumbull and Monroe $38.4 million more in municipal aid over the next two years, including $11 million in each year for Education Cost Sharing (ECS). Senator Gadkar-Wilcox also passed legislation increasing special education funding, including $120 million more in special education reimbursement costs, and $5.4 million for her district in Special Education and Expansion Development (SEED) grants over the next two years.

According to the Connecticut School and State Finance Project, the Trump administration froze several specific grants. The impounded funds largely support multi-language learners, before and after-school programs which serve as a lifeline for working families, academic enrichment, adult education and educator training:

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN HIGHLIGHTS $173,550 IN GRANTS FOR CLINTON, EAST HADDAM OPEN SPACE

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN HIGHLIGHTS $173,550 IN GRANTS FOR CLINTON, EAST HADDAM OPEN SPACE

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) highlighted a total of $173,550 in state funding supporting the acquisition of approximately 37 acres of open space in Clinton and East Haddam. The two properties that local land trusts will gain access to will provide significant recreational resources for local residents and protect natural spaces in Middlesex County communities.

The grants were part of a larger release of more than $15 million across more than 2,250 acres of open space across 22 towns and cities in the state and to create six new community green spaces. The funds are via the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

“Driving, hiking and walking through our communities reinforces the importance of the preserved open spaces we have here in Connecticut,” said Sen. Needleman. “They represent opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and its fresh air, provide new draws for recreational tourism and keep key lands free from development, preserving our local beauty. I’m proud of our state for continuing to invest in open spaces and thank the Governor and state leaders for these continued investments.”

“Open space is a big contributor to our great quality of life here in Connecticut, and we are excited to help all these communities improve access to the outdoors with these funds,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “These community assets help our residents stay active and healthy by providing free recreational opportunities while also helping to improve air and water quality. Open space makes Connecticut a great place to live, work, and play.”

Under the grant allocations, the Clinton Land Conservation Trust will receive $103,350 to support its acquisition of the 23.57-acre Killingworth Turnpike Open Space, formerly known as the Greystone Property, along Route 81 in Clinton. The property adds to 150 acres of open space in the area and will support a loop trail for hiking.

The East Haddam Land Trust will receive a $70,200 grant to support the acquisition of the R. Smith Connection Property on Tater Hill Road in East Haddam. The 14.12-acre property protects watersheds and avian wildlife, connecting to several other properties in the region.

SEN. CABRERA APPLAUDS STATE LAWSUIT AGAINST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR CUTTING CONNECTICUT SCHOOL FUNDING

Posted on by Devin James

SEN. CABRERA APPLAUDS STATE LAWSUIT AGAINST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR CUTTING CONNECTICUT SCHOOL FUNDING

HARTFORD – State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) today applauded Attorney General William Tong for joining in a 25-state lawsuit against the Trump Administration for illegally cutting billions in American education aid – including cutting more than $50 million in Connecticut.

“The seven towns in my district are losing a combined $1.5 million. It’s mind-boggling,” Sen. Cabrera said. “We just went through a spring budget cycle of putting town and school budgets together, holding public hearings, and having folks vote on town budgets. We all did our part. To have one man come in at the last minute and cut before- and after- school programs, adult education, and other necessary programs is crazy. Now we’re looking at mid-year budget cuts or local tax hikes because of Donald Trump. I want to thank Attorney General Tong for this courage in taking on this flawed Republican government, and I wish him the best of luck.”

The Republican education cuts in Sen. Cabrera’s 17th Senate District include:

  • Naugatuck: -$511,351
  • Hamden: -$509,623
  • Ansonia: -$283,783
  • Derby: -$84,679
  • Regional School District 16 (Beacon Falls): -$39,156
  • Woodbridge: -$35,584
  • Bethany: -$15,575

 

This afternoon, Attorney General Tong joined a coalition of 25 states in suing the Trump Administration over its unconstitutional, unlawful, and arbitrary decision to freeze $6.8 billion in funding for six longstanding programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education, including over $53 million for Connecticut schools alone.

“Trump and Linda McMahon are stealing from Connecticut schools to fund tax cuts for billionaires, and it’s our kids and our teachers who are paying the price. We are talking about over $53 million already built into local school budgets in nearly every district in Connecticut for computers and technology, afterschool enrichment and field trips, social workers, English language instruction, teacher training, adult education and more,” said Attorney General Tong said. “We stopped Trump when he tried to defund Head Start, when he tried to defund disaster relief and energy assistance, when he tried to defund our police, cancer research, and our libraries. We are back in court yet again to make sure our schools and our kids get every penny that our tax dollars paid for.”

Attorney General Tong said the funding freeze has immediately thrown into chaos plans for the upcoming academic year. Local education agencies have approved budgets, developed staffing plans, and signed contracts to provide vital educational services under these grants. Now, as a result of the Trump Administration’s actions, states find themselves without sufficient funding for these commitments, just weeks before the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Sen. Cohen Slams Trump Administration Freezing $750k for Local Schools

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Cohen Slams Trump Administration Freezing $750k for Local Schools

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Christine Cohen slammed the Trump administration for withholding over $750,000 in federal funds from Branford, East Haven, Durham, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison, Middlefield, and North Branford schools.

Late last month, the Trump Administration froze $6.8 billion in federal K-12 education funding for the 2025-26 school year. Connecticut schools are set to lose $53.6 million, 10% of their total federal education funding for the school year. Local schools will see significant funding cuts:

Branford: $294,585
East Haven: $299,012
Guilford: $48,884
Madison: $27,327
North Branford: $36,292
Region 13: $31,083
Region 17: $37,589
Total Funding Loss: $774,772

“This action from the Trump administration is illegal and it is immoral,” said Sen. Cohen. “This education funding was approved and allocated by Congress and the President has no authority to freeze these dollars. Donald Trump and his administration are scrambling, trying to pay for his budget plan that provides tax cuts to billionaires. If kicking vulnerable Americans off their healthcare and food assistance wasn’t bad enough, they have now resorted to taking dollars out of our local classrooms. These actions will further strain local budgets, leaving local taxpayers footing the bill and potentially decreasing services for our students. The impacts of these irresponsible decisions will be felt for years to come.”

According to the Connecticut School and State Finance Project, the Trump administration froze several specific grants. The impounded funds largely support multi-language learners, before and after-school programs which serve as a lifeline for working families, academic enrichment, adult education and educator training:

Senator Gaston Applauds Bridgeport’s Progress as New Report Shows Crime Drop

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Gaston Applauds Bridgeport’s Progress as New Report Shows Crime Drop

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, is commending the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and the strength of the Bridgeport community following a recent report from the Bridgeport Police Department. The recent report shows a 22.83% decrease in total Part I crimes compared to this time last year.

“The continued drop in crime in Bridgeport is a testament to the hard work of our law enforcement officers and the strength of our community partnerships,” said Senator Gaston. “This is more than just a statistic, it’s a reflection of a city that’s growing safer, stronger, and more united. I’ve always believed that Bridgeport is a thriving community, full of potential and promise, and this progress reinforces that belief. We will keep pushing forward to ensure every resident feels safe, supported, and proud to call Bridgeport home.”

According to the police department, crimes including robberies, burglaries, aggravated assaults, and motor vehicle thefts are all trending downward. The department credits the decline to the dedication of officers and growing collaboration with the community.

The Bridgeport Police Department will soon deploy drones as part of a new initiative to modernize public safety, an effort championed by Senator Gaston, a strong advocate for leveraging technology to enhance community policing. Senator Gaston says, “With crime steadily declining in Bridgeport, the addition of drone technology will further bolster efforts to keep neighborhoods safe and promote smarter, more effective policing strategies.”

According to the Bridgeport Police Department, robberies dropped from 198 in 2021 to 58 in 2025. Burglaries dropped from 312 in 2020 to 121 in 2025. Aggravated assault and motor vehicle thefts have showed steady declines over time, and murders have significantly reduced to 2 incidents in 2025.

Sen. Lesser Slams Trump Administration for Withholding $1.4M from Local Schools

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Lesser Slams Trump Administration for Withholding $1.4M from Local Schools

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Matt Lesser slammed the Trump administration for withholding nearly $1.4 million in federal education funding for Middletown, Cromwell, Wethersfield, Newington and Rocky Hill.

Late last month, the Trump Administration froze $6.8 billion in federal K-12 education funding for the 2025-26 school year. Connecticut schools are set to lose $53.6 million, 10% of their total federal education funding for the school year. Local schools will see significant funding cuts:

Middletown: $861,000
Cromwell: $56,837
Wethersfield: $152,183
Newington: $169,045
Rocky Hill: $128,350
Total Funding Loss: $1,367,419

Middletown will lose nearly $450,000 in before and after-school program funding, towns and cities across the state will see nearly $11 million in cuts to these critical programs. This funding freeze also impacts grants awarded to community organizations that receive grants to provide before and after-school services, like Boys & Girls Clubs, religious organizations and more. These programs are often life-lines for working families who’s work schedules don’t align with school start and end times.

“This administration’s ham fisted policies are a cruel shell game,” said Sen. Lesser. “They are unlawfully freezing vital special education and after school funds already allocated by Congress. This does not weed out ‘waste, fraud and abuse’ – it attacks our students while shifting costs to our local school districts, where local taxpayers will bear the brunt of these short-sighted and cruel policies.”

According to the Connecticut School and State Finance Project, the Trump administration froze several specific grants. The impounded funds largely support multi-language learners, before and after-school programs, academic enrichment, adult education and educator training:

Senator Rahman Condemns Trump Administration’s Cuts to Local School Funding

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Rahman Condemns Trump Administration’s Cuts to Local School Funding

Senator MD Rahman, D-Manchester, issued the following statement Friday in response to news that the Trump administration’s U.S. Department of Education has withheld $721,636 in congressionally approved funding from school districts in the 4th Senate District.

“When the federal government takes more than $700,000 from our classrooms, it undermines the students and teachers who depend on those resources,” Senator Rahman said. “These cuts shortchange students and put more pressure on already stretched local budgets. Our schools planned their programs around these approved funds, yet a decision by Republicans in Washington has forced our communities to do more with less. This is wrong, and the Trump administration should immediately restore this funding so our schools and families do not have to bear the burden.”

Senator Rahman’s statement follows reporting by CT Insider, which detailed the town-by-town consequences of the Trump administration’s decision to withhold roughly $53.6 million in approved federal funding from Connecticut schools for the 2025–2026 school year. For towns in the 4th State Senate District, the cuts include:

-Manchester: $571,205

-Glastonbury: $114,777

-Andover: $13,106

-Bolton: $22,548

Senator Honig Issues Statement on Withheld Federal Funding for Local Schools

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Honig Issues Statement on Withheld Federal Funding for Local Schools

Senator Paul Honig, D-Harwinton, issued the following statement Friday in response to news that the U.S. Department of Education had withheld $499,817 in congressionally approved funding for local school districts.

“If my time in local government taught me anything, it’s that public education works best when our schools have stable, reliable funding,” Senator Honig said. “Towns across our district were counting on the federal support that’s been withheld by the U.S. Department of Education. When commitments like these are reversed, it creates serious challenges for districts already working within tight budgets. These federal dollars were intended to support students and educators, and their absence will be felt in classrooms across our region.”

Senator Honig’s statement follows reporting by CT Insider, which detailed the town-by-town impact of the federal government’s decision to withhold roughly $53.6 million in approved funding from Connecticut schools for the 2025–2026 school year, affecting nearly every district in the state.

For towns in the 8th State Senate District, these cuts include:

Torrington: $317,814
Avon: $62,566
Canton: $30,577
New Hartford: $17,711
Simsbury: $71,149