Middletown Legislative Delegation Condemns NEA Decision to Cut Funding for Oddfellows Playhouse

“One More Lawless Attack on the People of Connecticut”

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Today, State Senators Matt Lesser and Jan Hochadel and State Representatives Kai Belton and Brandon Chafee issued a unified and forceful condemnation of the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) decision—under the direction of President Trump’s administration—to abruptly withdraw previously committed federal funding for Oddfellows Playhouse, a cornerstone of youth arts education and social engagement in Central Connecticut.

In a letter received this week by Oddfellows Director Dic Wheeler, the NEA informed the organization that its $10,000 grant, which was intended to support a theater production centered on the lived experiences of underserved high school youth, had been revoked due to new policy priorities dictated by the Trump administration.

The NEA justified its decision by stating that the project “does not align” with new federal directives which now prioritize political and ideological goals such as “celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence,” “fostering AI competency,” and “making the District of Columbia safe and beautiful,” among others.

“This is one more lawless attack on the people of Connecticut by an out-of-control administration that is targeting arts, truth-telling, and young people,” said the delegation in a joint statement. “Oddfellows Playhouse has spent decades providing an essential platform for creative expression, empowerment, and community-building. For the federal government to strip funding from a program that uplifts underserved youth—simply because it doesn’t fit a political agenda—is disgraceful, retaliatory, and deeply un-American.”

Oddfellows Playhouse, founded in 1975, has served generations of Connecticut youth, particularly from marginalized communities. The canceled production was designed to amplify the voices of high school students whose stories are too often left out of public discourse—a mission that aligns precisely with the NEA’s founding purpose: to support creativity, inclusion, and free artistic expression.

The delegation called for immediate congressional oversight of NEA decision-making, transparency in the implementation of these new funding priorities, and a reversal of what they describe as “ideological cleansing masquerading as arts policy.”

“This isn’t just an attack on a theater. It’s an attack on free expression, local communities, and the very idea that art belongs to everyone—not just to those who serve the President’s agenda,” the statement concluded.

Sen. Lesser Leads Passage of Legislation to Expand Coverage for Sickle Cell Disease

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser, Senate Chair of the Human Services Committee, passed legislation that would require Medicaid coverage of FDA-approved gene therapies to treat sickle cell disease.

This legislation requires the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services to give Medicaid coverage for federal Food and Drug Administration approved gene therapies to treat sickle cell disease. It also requires the commissioner to apply for any federal initiative, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ cell and gene therapy access model, to increase cost-effective access to these therapies.

“Sickle cell disease is a debilitating disease that affects hundreds in our state, and for a very long time treatment options were limited,” said Sen. Lesser. “Today, cures are available and they provide real relief for patients. Unfortunately, the cost is unattainable for many and our most vulnerable are left without treatment options. This legislation is one step closer to providing comprehensive, quality healthcare to everyone, not just those who can afford the astronomical cost. This is an important step forward for health equity. I am grateful for the unanimous support of my Senate colleagues.”

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin, the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. It affects blood flow and causes anemia, chronic wounds that will not heal, frequent infections, episodes of extreme pain among other complications.

In recent years, technology has allowed for curative treatments, including cell and gene therapy, but cost remains a barrier for many. In December 2023, the FDA approved two gene therapies for the treatment of sickle cell disease, Casgevy which costs over $2 million per treatment, and Lyfgenia which costs over $3 million per treatment.

Sickle cell disease is a life-long disorder that causes a series of complications, and the Biden administration’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determined that complications from sickle cell disease cost the health system almost $3 billion annually. Sickle cell disease disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic Americans. In the United States, more than 100,000 people live with sickle cell disease, and between 50-60% of those affected are enrolled in Medicaid.

Sen. Lesser Leads Passage of Bill Expanding Access to ABLE Act

On Wednesday, State Senator Matt Lesser, Senate Chair of the Human Services Committee, led passage of legislation that will expand access to the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, a program that allows people with disabilities to maintain their independence, pay for qualifying expenses and preserve their eligibility for income-dependent public benefits.

The ABLE Act was an Obama-era law that allows states to create tax-advantaged savings programs for eligible people with disabilities or a designated beneficiary. Funds in these accounts can help account owners pay for qualifying disability expenses, and distributions are tax-free if used for qualifying expenses. Importantly, funds in these accounts do not count toward an individual’s income when determining eligibility for public services like Medicaid.

The law passed today makes conforming changes in compliance with federal law, allows people to disregard certain public assistance programs from income standards and provides protections from financial exploitation and abuse.

“This bill is an important step forward for families of children with disabilities,” said Sen. Lesser. “I am glad to work with the State Treasurer to strengthen the ABLE program, a vital tool that allows families to undertake financial planning to cover life and health care expenses. In addition we have added important protections to safeguard people with disabilities from financial exploitation and abuse.”

The bill passed unanimously and now heads to the House floor.

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