Author: Devin James

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Senator Hochadel Responds to Trump Administration’s Removal of Nearly $1 Million from Meriden Schools

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Senator Hochadel Responds to Trump Administration’s Removal of Nearly $1 Million from Meriden Schools

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, issued the following statement Friday in response to news that the Trump administration’s U.S. Department of Education had withheld $917,814 in congressionally approved funding for Meriden Public Schools.

“It’s difficult to overstate the damage that will be caused by the removal of nearly $1 million in already approved funding from Meriden classrooms,” Senator Hochadel said. “Our district operates on a limited budget, and our schools were promised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support students and the teachers who educate them. Do not mistake this broken promise for an inconvenience. Its impact will be severe. The next generation of Meriden children will have fewer opportunities because Donald Trump and his Republican enablers made a choice to take from our kids.”

Senator Hochadel’s statement follows reporting by CT Insider, which detailed the town-by-town impact 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, affecting nearly every district in the state.

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN DEEPLY CONCERNED BY LATEST TRUMP EDUCATION FREEZE STRIPPING $448,000 FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS

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SENATOR NEEDLEMAN DEEPLY CONCERNED BY LATEST TRUMP EDUCATION FREEZE STRIPPING $448,000 FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS

State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) expressed deep concerns about the latest announced federal education funding freeze from the Trump administration, which will strip billions of dollars from national education programs, more than $50 million from Connecticut public schools and $448,023 from public schools in Connecticut’s 33rd Senate District.

These cuts include $75,027 from Clinton Public Schools, $42,810 from Colchester Public Schools, $38,819 from Old Saybrook Public Schools, $37,589 from Region 17 Schools, $36,219 from Westbrook Public Schools, $33,383 from East Hampton Public Schools, $31,782 from Portland Public Schools, $26,942 from East Haddam Public Schools, $26,173 from Region 18 Schools, $21,702 from Region 4 Schools, $15,421 from Essex Public Schools, $15,234 from Deep River Public Schools and $13,539 from Chester Public Schools.

Nationally, more than $6 billion in grants were frozen from programs supporting teacher development and recruitment, student support and academic enrichment, community learning centers, English learning support and adult education and literacy, including more than $53 million in federal funding for Connecticut schools. Leaders around the state report the cuts pose serious threats to a number of school programs.

“To cut education funding by billions nationally, millions statewide and hundreds of thousands locally, especially for teacher training, recruitment and retention and direct student academic support, sets back our communities and our schools significantly,” said Sen. Needleman. “These programs provide direct support to everyday students and residents; to cut after-school programs and adult education services seems to harm our efforts to support students today and in the future. When we know these programs help improve educational outcomes, cutting their support seems foolhardy, if not cruel.”

State officials said the specific grant freezes impacting Connecticut include grants for improvement of teacher instruction, including teacher development, retention and recruitment; improvement of services for multilingual learners; support for well-rounded education opportunities, student health and safety and technological education; before- and after-school programs improving student education and well-being; and adult education and literacy services.

SENATOR ANWAR SLAMS LATEST TRUMP EDUCATION FREEZE STRIPPING $1.26 MILLION FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS

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SENATOR ANWAR SLAMS LATEST TRUMP EDUCATION FREEZE STRIPPING $1.26 MILLION FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) slammed this week’s latest education freeze from the Trump administration, which will strip billions of dollars from national education programs, more than $50 million from Connecticut public schools and $1,263,431 from public schools in Connecticut’s 3rd Senate District.

These cuts include just over $1 million of support for East Hartford Public Schools, $140,137 of funding for South Windsor Public Schools, $64,165 for East Windsor Public Schools and $41,509 for Ellington Public Schools, according to the Connecticut School and State Finance Project.

Nationally, more than $6 billion in grants were frozen from programs supporting teacher development and recruitment, student support and academic enrichment, community learning centers, English learning support and adult education and literacy, including more than $53 million in federal funding for Connecticut schools. Leaders around the state report the cuts pose serious threats to a number of school programs.

“As the federal government prepares to add trillions of dollars to the national debt in coming years, it should be obvious that freezing and cutting education funding to this level has no real intent beyond an attack on our schools and our communities,” said Sen. Anwar. “Without this support, children lose access to key programs supporting their education. Communities lose resources connecting residents with opportunities to develop skills spurring personal enrichment and setting them up for lifelong success. Our society makes a promise to our students that we will support them; to renege on that promise is to worsen our collective futures. The damage these cuts represent is dire; worse, I fear there’s more to come.”

State officials said the specific grant cuts impacting Connecticut include grants for improvement of teacher instruction, including teacher development, retention and recruitment; improvement of services for multilingual learners; support for well-rounded education opportunities, student health and safety and technological education; before- and after-school programs improving student education and well-being; and adult education and literacy services.