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SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $585,000 IN FUNDING SUPPORTING LOCAL TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION IN EAST LYME, MONTVILLE, NEW LONDON

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SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $585,000 IN FUNDING SUPPORTING LOCAL TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION IN EAST LYME, MONTVILLE, NEW LONDON

October 2, 2026
 

State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) welcomed the recent announcement that the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will release $585,000 in grants supporting local projects designed to plan, build, expand and improve local trails, with the intent of bolstering recreational opportunities, connecting communities and supporting public health.

Local grants include:

  • Connecticut College in New London will receive $100,000 to support planning, design and outreach for community engaged accessibility planning at the Connecticut College Arboretum
  • The town of East Lyme will receive $405,000 for construction, maintenance and education surrounding improvements to the Darrow Pond Trail
  • The town of Montville will receive $80,000 for planning and design of the Oxoboxo Heritage Multi-Use Path and Thames River Blueway

The grants are part of a $10.5 million, 50-project release of funding through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program. That program is also supporting Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy, which provides $6 billion each year to the state’s economy, supporting more than 50,000 jobs and generating more than $2.5 billion each year in wages and salaries.

“Our local trails and outdoor recreation resources offer great support to our communities and provide members of the public with opportunities to enjoy fresh air, beautiful nature and exercise,” said Sen. Marx. “I’m grateful to Governor Lamont for this support and hope local residents get out and enjoy our local trails.”

“Connecticut’s extensive trail network is one of our state’s greatest outdoor assets,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. “These investments will improve access to the outdoors, strengthen local economies, attract visitors, encourage healthy lifestyles, and help connect people to the communities where they live and work.”

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN WELCOMES $187,105 IN FUNDING SUPPORTING LOCAL TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

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SENATOR NEEDLEMAN WELCOMES $187,105 IN FUNDING SUPPORTING LOCAL TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
October 2, 2026
State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) welcomed the recent announcement that the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will release $187,105 in grants supporting local projects designed to plan, build, expand and improve local trails, with the intent of bolstering recreational opportunities, connecting communities and supporting public health.

Local grants include:
  • $123,555 to DEEP for construction of ADA-accessible trail improvements at Hurd State Park
  • $63,550 to the East Haddam Land Trust for construction of a Senior/Disabled Trail to the Wetlands Viewing Platform at Golet Farm
The grants are part of a $10.5 million, 50-project release of funding through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program. That program is also supporting Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy, which provides $6 billion each year to the state’s economy, supporting more than 50,000 jobs and generating more than $2.5 billion each year in wages and salaries.

“These updates and improvements to our local trails will make sure anyone in the region can enjoy our beautiful sights and outdoor resources,” said Sen. Needleman. “I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and state leaders for their support of our region.”

“Connecticut’s extensive trail network is one of our state’s greatest outdoor assets,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. “These investments will improve access to the outdoors, strengthen local economies, attract visitors, encourage healthy lifestyles, and help connect people to the communities where they live and work.”
 

SENATOR HONIG WELCOMES $1.06 MILLION IN FUNDING SUPPORTING AVON, NORFOLK, SIMSBURY, TORRINGTON TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

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SENATOR HONIG WELCOMES $1.06 MILLION IN FUNDING SUPPORTING AVON, NORFOLK, SIMSBURY, TORRINGTON TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

October 2, 2026

State Senator Paul Honig (D-Torrington) welcomed the recent announcement that the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will release $1,060,905 in grants supporting local projects designed to plan, build, expand and improve local trails, with the intent of bolstering recreational opportunities, connecting communities and supporting public health.

Local grants include:

  • $505,000 to the town of Avon for construction on Phase 2 of the Old Farms Road Connectivity Improvements Project, connecting multi-use trails from Tillotson Road to Fisher Meadows
  • $226,155 to the town of Norfolk for construction of the proposed North Brook Trail completion
  • $248,000 to the town of Simsbury for maintenance of the Farmington River Trail
  • $81,750 to the town of Torrington for planning and design of the Red Mountain Trail Bridge, currently in its design phase

The grants are part of a $10.5 million, 50-project release of funding through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program. That program is also supporting Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy, which provides $6 billion each year to the state’s economy, supporting more than 50,000 jobs and generating more than $2.5 billion each year in wages and salaries.

“Connecticut’s natural beauty and fresh air are especially enjoyable on the state’s many trails for recreation and exercise,” said Sen. Honig. “These grants will allow for significant and meaningful work to further support trails in our region. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont for his continued support of our region.”

“Connecticut’s extensive trail network is one of our state’s greatest outdoor assets,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. “These investments will improve access to the outdoors, strengthen local economies, attract visitors, encourage healthy lifestyles, and help connect people to the communities where they live and work.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joe O’Leary | joe.oleary@cga.ct.gov

SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES $52,550 IN FUNDING SUPPORTING LOCAL TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

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SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES $52,550 IN FUNDING SUPPORTING LOCAL TRAILS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 1, 2026

State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) welcomed the recent announcement that the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will release $52,550 in grant funding supporting local projects designed to plan, build, expand and improve local trails, with the intent of bolstering recreational opportunities, connecting communities and supporting public health.

The grant will support the Aspetuck Land Trust’s development of a regional trail map and public access initiative.

The grant is part of a $10.5 million, 50-project release of funding through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program. That program is also supporting Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy, which provides $6 billion each year to the state’s economy, supporting more than 50,000 jobs and generating more than $2.5 billion each year in wages and salaries.

“Our local trails provide resources that help people get outdoors, enjoy our state’s natural beauty and fresh air and get some healthy exercise,” said Sen. Maher. “I’m excited to see the Aspetuck Land Trust’s work as a new trail map and increased public access plays an important role in supporting our communities. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont for his support of our region.”

“Connecticut’s extensive trail network is one of our state’s greatest outdoor assets,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. “These investments will improve access to the outdoors, strengthen local economies, attract visitors, encourage healthy lifestyles, and help connect people to the communities where they live and work.”

Looney, Duff: Trump Head Start Rollback Puts 5,000 Connecticut Kids at Risk

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Looney, Duff: Trump Head Start Rollback Puts 5,000 Connecticut Kids at Risk

“The Trump regime wants to strip away more than 90 percent of the standards that make Head Start work, from limits on class size to the requirement that young children be supervised at all times. Its own analysis shows the ‘savings’ come from fewer teachers, bigger classes, and fewer health screenings for the poorest kids in the country. In Connecticut, 22 programs serving nearly 5,000 children are at risk. This is inhumane, and it’s how you kill a program without having the courage to vote on it.

“We call on Connecticut Republicans to join us in demanding that this rule be withdrawn before public comment closes on October 6.”

-Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) responding to the Trump administration’s proposal to rescind more than 1,000 Head Start regulatory provisions, including staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, health screenings and child supervision requirements.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Looney, Duff: Trump Head Start Rollback Puts 5,000 Connecticut Kids at Risk

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Looney, Duff: Trump Head Start Rollback Puts 5,000 Connecticut Kids at Risk

“The Trump regime wants to strip away more than 90 percent of the standards that make Head Start work, from limits on class size to the requirement that young children be supervised at all times. Its own analysis shows the ‘savings’ come from fewer teachers, bigger classes, and fewer health screenings for the poorest kids in the country. In Connecticut, 22 programs serving nearly 5,000 children are at risk. This is inhumane, and it’s how you kill a program without having the courage to vote on it.

“We call on Connecticut Republicans to join us in demanding that this rule be withdrawn before public comment closes on October 6.”

-Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) responding to the Trump administration’s proposal to rescind more than 1,000 Head Start regulatory provisions, including staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, health screenings and child supervision requirements.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Looney, Duff Respond to Ruling Blocking Connecticut’s Convertible Pistol Law

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Looney, Duff Respond to Ruling Blocking Connecticut’s Convertible Pistol Law

“A switch turns a handgun into a machine gun. That’s not a Second Amendment right. We’ll keep fighting in court to keep our communities and police officers safe from dangerous and deadly overpowered firearms. A Trump-appointed judge’s tortured interpretation of the Second Amendment won’t deter us from our sworn constitutional responsibility to protect our citizens.”

-Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) responding to Judge Kari Dooley’s preliminary injunction blocking Public Act 26-41.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Stay Connected with Senate Democrats

Looney, Duff Respond to Ruling Blocking Connecticut’s Convertible Pistol Law

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Looney, Duff Respond to Ruling Blocking Connecticut’s Convertible Pistol Law

“A switch turns a handgun into a machine gun. That’s not a Second Amendment right. We’ll keep fighting in court to keep our communities and police officers safe from dangerous and deadly overpowered firearms. A Trump-appointed judge’s tortured interpretation of the Second Amendment won’t deter us from our sworn constitutional responsibility to protect our citizens.”

-Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) responding responding to Judge Kari Dooley’s preliminary injunction blocking Public Act 26-41.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

SEN. CABRERA WELCOMES $517,000 IN STATE GRANTS TO HELP REDUCE ABSENTEEISM IN HAMDEN, NAUGATUCK AND DERBY

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SEN. CABRERA WELCOMES $517,000 IN STATE GRANTS TO HELP REDUCE ABSENTEEISM IN HAMDEN, NAUGATUCK AND DERBY

HAMDEN — State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) today welcomed $517,179 in state grants to improve student attendance in Hamden, Naugatuck and Derby. Hamden and Naugatuck will each receive $200,000, and Derby $117,179.

“There’s a lot of reasons why kids don’t make it to school – it could be a family issue, or transportation, maybe there’s a physical handicap, an illness, or a language barrier. LEAP addresses all of that and has made huge strides in the past few years to bring more kids back to school and keep them there,” Sen. Cabrera said. “I’m really happy to have this funding for Hamden, Naugatuck and Derby.”

The grants are being made through Connecticut’s Learner Engagement and Attendance Program, or LEAP. Since the Lamont administration established LEAP in 2021, chronic absenteeism has declined for four consecutive years, from 23.7% in 2021-2022 to 16.4% in 2025-2026, meaning nearly 35,000 more students are attending school regularly compared with 2021-2022.

SENATOR HONIG WELCOMES $150,000 IN EDUCATION GRANTS TO HELP REDUCE ABSENTEEISM IN TORRINGTON

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SENATOR HONIG WELCOMES $150,000 IN EDUCATION GRANTS TO HELP REDUCE ABSENTEEISM IN TORRINGTON

September 30, 2026

Today, State Senator Paul Honig (D-Torrington) welcomed an announced $150,000 in state grants supporting Torrington schools through the Learner Engagement and Attendance Program, or LEAP, with a specific focus on improving student attendance and engagement.

Since LEAP was founded in 2021, chronic absenteeism rates in Connecticut have fallen more than 30 percent, reconnecting tens of thousands of students with education. After researching absenteeism and its causes, state officials developed a home visiting program meeting students and families in the community, connecting them with resources and supports that can help get students back in the classroom.

According to the Center for Connecticut Education Research Collaboration, student attendance grew and disciplinary incidents fell after LEAP engaged with families.

“The LEAP program’s success in bringing disconnected youth back into classrooms to help them learn and thrive is admirable, and I’m strongly encouraged to see Torrington receive this grant to support local students,” said Sen. Honig. “These funds will provide direct support to improve local attendance and student performance.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE