Author: Devin James

Senator Gaston Outraged Trump Freezes Federal Aid for Education in CT, Over 700K Taken from Bridgeport

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Gaston Outraged Trump Freezes Federal Aid for Education in CT, Over 700K Taken from Bridgeport

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), issued a statement following President Donald Trump’s freeze of $14 million in federal aid for K-12 education in CT. Specifically, Bridgeport School District will lose $763,841 in funding.

“Donald Trump’s draconian cuts to education undermine the future of our nation, our state, and our local school districts by diminishing access to quality learning opportunities for our students, weakening our public schools, and disproportionately harming our vulnerable communities.

“These reckless reductions prioritize short-term financial savings over long-term investments in the intellectual growth and development of young people, which ultimately stifles economic and social progress.

“I will continue to raise my voice and vehemently oppose these reckless measures that undermine the education of our students. Now more than ever, we must collectively fight to ensure that every child in America has access to a quality and competent education, regardless of what they look like or where they come from.”

Senator Gaston Releases Statement after Officer-Involved Shooting

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Gaston Releases Statement after Officer-Involved Shooting

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, is releasing a statement following an officer-involved shooting that happened in Bridgeport yesterday.

“I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family of the individual who lost their life. A life lost is always a heartbreaking event, and we as a community will collectively think of the loved ones affected,” said Senator Gaston. “While I understand the pain and uncertainty this causes, I also know that more information will be forthcoming as investigations continue. As the chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, it’s important to allow procedural due process. I will be in close conversation with law enforcement and the community as we receive more information about the incident.”

Senators Looney & Duff Denounce $14 Million in Federal Cuts to CT Education

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney & Duff Denounce $14 Million in Federal Cuts to CT Education

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement in response to $14 million in federal cuts to education funding for Connecticut.

“Pulling critical education funding is a reckless decision that will directly harm Connecticut’s students, teachers, and families. Our cities and towns depend on these funds, and some have already allocated the money for their schools.

“What’s worse is the deafening silence from Connecticut Republicans. Instead of standing up for our children and schools, they are once again invisible and unwilling to criticize this latest federal fiscal attack against the most vulnerable in our state.

“We know Donald Trump doesn’t care about raising property taxes and cutting school services. We wish Connecticut Republicans did.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Senators Looney & Duff Denounce $14 Million in Federal Cuts to CT Education

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney & Duff Denounce $14 Million in Federal Cuts to CT Education

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement in response to $14 million in federal cuts to education funding for Connecticut.

“Pulling critical education funding is a reckless decision that will directly harm Connecticut’s students, teachers, and families. Our cities and towns depend on these funds, and some have already allocated the money for their schools.

“What’s worse is the deafening silence from Connecticut Republicans. Instead of standing up for our children and schools, they are once again invisible and unwilling to criticize this latest federal fiscal attack against the most vulnerable in our state.

“We know Donald Trump doesn’t care about raising property taxes and cutting school services. We wish Connecticut Republicans did.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

SEN. FLEXER CONDEMNS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUT OF $200,000 TO PUTNAM AND MANSFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Posted on by Devin James

SEN. FLEXER CONDEMNS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUT OF $200,000 TO PUTNAM AND MANSFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICTS

WINDHAM  – State Senator Mae Flexer today issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s weekend announcement of $14 million in federal cuts to education funding for Connecticut, including a $144,757 cut to the Putnam school system and a $54,561 cut to the Mansfield school system.

The funds pay for academically focused initiatives such as high-dosage tutoring, scientifically based reading instruction, mathematics professional learning, digital curriculum and online courses, talent development initiatives including a Teacher-Leader-in-Residence to implement the Connecticut Troops to Teachers (CTTT) Program, student support initiatives including efforts to reduce the number of youth interacting with the juvenile justice system, no-cost access to vision care for students from low-income families, and school-based mentoring programs to reduce chronic absenteeism.

“At a time when our students are still recovering from the educational destruction that occurred during the years of the COVID pandemic, it is simply unacceptable that these necessary resources for our kids are being cut by the Trump administration,” Sen. Flexer said. “We have to stand together and fight the disastrous decisions of Donald Trump and Linda McMahon that are damaging our schools and our students.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Sen. Lesser Statement on Trump Withholding $1.9M from Planned Parenthood

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Lesser Statement on Trump Withholding $1.9M from Planned Parenthood

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser, Senate Chair of the Human Services Committee issued a statement on the Trump administration decision to withhold $1.89 million in annual Title X funding from the Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE). Title X was enacted in the 1970s with bipartisan support to provide family planning and sexual health services. Today, PPSNE’s Title X program provides essential, preventive health care, like birth control, STI testing and treatment, and cancer screenings to 48,000 people.

“Another day, another devastating cut from the Trump administration. After his activist Supreme Court struck down Roe and millions of Americans took to the streets and ballot measures in protest, Donald Trump promised he would not pass a nationwide abortion ban. Instead, he is making a boogeyman out of essential care providers like Planned Parenthood and cutting their federal funding, essentially ensuring that access to care is defunct. I am pleased that earlier this year my colleagues and I, anticipating cuts just like this one, provided immediate funds to Planned Parenthood. But with the price tag of these cuts rising daily at this point, I don’t know how much more harm we can mitigate.”

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

Senators Looney & Duff: Republicans Couldn’t Care Less About Rising Prices

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney & Duff: Republicans Couldn’t Care Less About Rising Prices

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement in response to a press conference held by Connecticut Republicans regarding reported instances of mean notes being left on Tesla vehicles.

“Yesterday, Trump said he ‘couldn’t care less’ that the prices of cars and auto parts are increasing by 25%. Today, Connecticut Republicans made clear they don’t care about rising prices in our state either. Republicans have been silent on cuts to programs that keep women and children safe from abuse, life-saving care for veterans, and medical research and cures.

“Republicans care about Elon Musk’s feelings but aren’t worried at all about the people of Connecticut.”

Senators Looney & Duff: Republicans Couldn’t Care Less About Rising Prices

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney & Duff: Republicans Couldn’t Care Less About Rising Prices

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement in response to a press conference held by Connecticut Republicans regarding reported instances of mean notes being left on Tesla vehicles.

“Yesterday, Trump said he ‘couldn’t care less’ that the prices of cars and auto parts are increasing by 25%. Today, Connecticut Republicans made clear they don’t care about rising prices in our state either. Republicans have been silent on cuts to programs that keep women and children safe from abuse, life-saving care for veterans, and medical research and cures.

“Republicans care about Elon Musk’s feelings but aren’t worried at all about the people of Connecticut.”

SENATOR ANWAR RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING BILLIONS IN FEDERAL PUBLIC HEALTH CUTS, $150M IMPACT ON CONNECTICUT

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR ANWAR RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING BILLIONS IN FEDERAL PUBLIC HEALTH CUTS, $150M IMPACT ON CONNECTICUT

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement that it cut more than $12 billion in previously allocated public health funding, with the Connecticut Department of Public Health expecting to lose about $150 million and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services expecting to lose approximately $6 million:

“Just as Connecticut sees overdose deaths fall under 1,000 for the first time since 2016, the Trump administration cuts funds helping people who struggle with addiction. As measles outbreaks roil the country and medical experts watch bird flu with extreme concern, the administration chops funds tracking of infectious diseases. After years of calling for action to fight the mental health crisis, just as real resources are more accessible statewide, we lose valuable funding supporting these programs directly helping people. On top of the human impact, we also lose out on our state’s medical staffing; due to these cuts, Connecticut will lose jobs, which may spur trained experts to leave our state for other opportunities. Cutting this funding by saying it’s unneeded pandemic support is simply not true; these funds were already reallocated for programs and services helping people in communities across the country. I’m concerned, disturbed and frustrated by this short-sighted decision that’s slated to hurt public health statewide and nationwide.”

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

Senators Looney & Duff Decry Federal Cuts to Health Programs

Posted on by Devin James

Senators Looney & Duff Decry Federal Cuts to Health Programs

Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s announced cuts of $12 billion in previously approved public health funding through the Department of Health and Human Services, defunding programs tracking infectious diseases, mental health services and addiction treatment. The impact on Connecticut is estimated to be over $150 million.

“Yet again, the Trump administration announces funding cuts of already allocated money that’s helping vulnerable people in our communities every day. These funds are used to track measles outbreaks, bird flu, and chronic infectious diseases that impact our communities. Cutting them leaves us more exposed and less protected. The funds support vital mental health and addiction recovery services. Cutting them will threaten our efforts in treating mental illness and substance use disorder just as we’re seeing some progress. This isn’t leftover COVID or pandemic funding being cut, as the administration claims – we’re losing support for preventative care, disease tracking, and health emergency programs.

“If Republicans in Connecticut are truly worried about opioid addiction and preventing the next pandemic, then where is their outrage? Will they be willing to support additional state appropriations and revenue to replace the reckless and heartless federal cuts?”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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