Author: Devin James

SENATOR MAHER ISSUES STATEMENT RESPONDING TO DOGE CANCELLATION OF WESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY FEDERAL GRANT

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR MAHER ISSUES STATEMENT RESPONDING TO DOGE CANCELLATION OF WESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY FEDERAL GRANT

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) issued the following statement in response to the cancellation of a $25,000 federal grant committed to the Weston Historical Society in December by Elon Musk’s DOGE this week, part of a larger $3 million cancellation of grants awarded and then rescinded across Connecticut by that body.

While the National Endowment for the Humanities addressed a letter to the Weston Historical Society announcing the cancellation late on April 2, an employee of the Historical Society contacted the NEH early this morning. An employee of that organization told the Historical Society that the letter was not sent out by the NEH but by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, according to Samantha Fargione, the Historical Society’s executive director.

The $25,000 was meant to support “Weston at Work,” a permanent exhibit in town that would focus on Weston’s industrial history and marginalized groups in its history.

“Another day, another DOGE cut, this one in our own backyard. It’s not lost on me that this funding was stripped from a project focusing on the history of marginalized groups in Weston. It’s also not a surprise that the Trump administration is petty enough to cut grants as small as this; $25,000 for a local museum project isn’t my definition of ‘government waste.’ The cherry on top is that Elon Musk and his buddies made these cuts without even contacting the organization responsible for making them. Another day, another cut in Connecticut, another organization left scrambling to pick up the pieces at the eleventh hour. It’s heartbreaking, if not surprising.”

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

Senators Looney, Duff & Anwar Denounce Job Killing Federal Health Cuts

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney, Duff & Anwar Denounce Job Killing Federal Health Cuts

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and State Senator Saud Anwar, Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, released the following statement in response to the confirmation that federal cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services have already impacted 50 individuals working with the state Department of Public Health, with another 49 agency staff at risk of unemployment:

“It seems that Connecticut takes another blow from the federal government every day under the Trump administration. Today, we learn that 50 individuals working with the Department of Public Health who keep the agency’s operations functional were issued stop work orders, and another 49 agency staff are at direct risk of losing their jobs, all as a result of grants previously approved by Congress and suddenly rescinded by federal leaders. What’s worse, we fear this is the tip of the iceberg, and continue to struggle to determine exactly what our state is losing so we can properly respond.

“Connecticut Republicans remain shamefully silent as these devastating federal cuts continue to harm our state. Their refusal to speak out against this job-killing move is a betrayal of Connecticut workers and families. Time and again, they have chosen party loyalty over standing up for our state’s needs. Their silence on these cruel and reckless federal decisions proves they are complicit in the destruction of critical services and the livelihoods of our residents. Once again, we urge them to join us.”

 

Senators Looney, Duff & Anwar Denounce Job Killing Federal Health Cuts

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney, Duff & Anwar Denounce Job Killing Federal Health Cuts

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and State Senator Saud Anwar, Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, released the following statement in response to the confirmation that federal cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services have already impacted 50 individuals working with the state Department of Public Health, with another 49 agency staff at risk of unemployment:

“It seems that Connecticut takes another blow from the federal government every day under the Trump administration. Today, we learn that 50 individuals working with the Department of Public Health who keep the agency’s operations functional were issued stop work orders, and another 49 agency staff are at direct risk of losing their jobs, all as a result of grants previously approved by Congress and suddenly rescinded by federal leaders. What’s worse, we fear this is the tip of the iceberg, and continue to struggle to determine exactly what our state is losing so we can properly respond.

“Connecticut Republicans remain shamefully silent as these devastating federal cuts continue to harm our state. Their refusal to speak out against this job-killing move is a betrayal of Connecticut workers and families. Time and again, they have chosen party loyalty over standing up for our state’s needs. Their silence on these cruel and reckless federal decisions proves they are complicit in the destruction of critical services and the livelihoods of our residents. Once again, we urge them to join us.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Senators Looney, Duff & Anwar Denounce Job Killing Federal Health Cuts

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney, Duff & Anwar Denounce Job Killing Federal Health Cuts

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and State Senator Saud Anwar, Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, released the following statement in response to the confirmation that federal cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services have already impacted 50 individuals working with the state Department of Public Health, with another 49 agency staff at risk of unemployment:

“It seems that Connecticut takes another blow from the federal government every day under the Trump administration. Today, we learn that 50 individuals working with the Department of Public Health who keep the agency’s operations functional were issued stop work orders, and another 49 agency staff are at direct risk of losing their jobs, all as a result of grants previously approved by Congress and suddenly rescinded by federal leaders. What’s worse, we fear this is the tip of the iceberg, and continue to struggle to determine exactly what our state is losing so we can properly respond.

“Connecticut Republicans remain shamefully silent as these devastating federal cuts continue to harm our state. Their refusal to speak out against this job-killing move is a betrayal of Connecticut workers and families. Time and again, they have chosen party loyalty over standing up for our state’s needs. Their silence on these cruel and reckless federal decisions proves they are complicit in the destruction of critical services and the livelihoods of our residents. Once again, we urge them to join us.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Senators Looney & Duff Condemn Trump’s Massive Tax Hike on Connecticut Families

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney & Duff Condemn Trump’s Massive Tax Hike on Connecticut Families

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement in response to the new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump:

“Donald Trump just announced the largest tax increase in American history—a national sales tax on everything Connecticut families buy. This is a direct assault on working families, forcing them to pay higher prices on everything from groceries to home goods, all so Trump can hand yet another massive tax cut to his billionaire donors. It is unconscionable. The multimillionaires and billionaires that Trump caters to will never feel the impact of this national sales tax. Their wealth is so unimaginable that they never have to worry about a grocery bill, affording the next mortgage payment, or watching the cost of gas at the pump.

“These tariffs are nothing more than a tax hike on the backs of hardworking Connecticut families, and Connecticut Republicans must decide—will they stand up for their constituents, or will they continue to enable Trump’s economic policies that harm our communities? The people of Connecticut deserve leaders who will fight against this unfair, regressive, and unnecessary burden.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Senators Looney & Duff Condemn Trump’s Massive Tax Hike on Connecticut Families

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney & Duff Condemn Trump’s Massive Tax Hike on Connecticut Families

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement in response to the new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump:

“Donald Trump just announced the largest tax increase in American history—a national sales tax on everything Connecticut families buy. This is a direct assault on working families, forcing them to pay higher prices on everything from groceries to home goods, all so Trump can hand yet another massive tax cut to his billionaire donors. It is unconscionable. The multimillionaires and billionaires that Trump caters to will never feel the impact of this national sales tax. Their wealth is so unimaginable that they never have to worry about a grocery bill, affording the next mortgage payment, or watching the cost of gas at the pump.

“These tariffs are nothing more than a tax hike on the backs of hardworking Connecticut families, and Connecticut Republicans must decide—will they stand up for their constituents, or will they continue to enable Trump’s economic policies that harm our communities? The people of Connecticut deserve leaders who will fight against this unfair, regressive, and unnecessary burden.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

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.”