Author: Devin James

Sen. Lesser Slams Trump Administration for Withholding $1.4M from Local Schools

Posted on by Devin James

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.

SENATOR MARX DECRIES LATEST TRUMP EDUCATION CUTS STRIPPING $1.3 MILLION FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS

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SENATOR MARX DECRIES LATEST TRUMP EDUCATION CUTS STRIPPING $1.3 MILLION FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS

State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) decried the latest announced federal education funding cuts from the Trump administration, which will strip billions of dollars from national education programs, more than $50 million from Connecticut public schools and $1,298,131 from public schools in Connecticut’s 20th Senate District.

These cuts include $952,262 from New London Public Schools, $93,963 from Waterford Public Schools, $91,726 from Montville Public Schools, $61,286 from East Lyme Public Schools, $38,819 from Old Saybrook Public Schools, $26,173 from Region 18 schools in Lyme and Old Lyme and $16,313 from Bozrah 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 put it simply, these funding cuts make little sense. At a time when teachers and students rely on additional services, programs and aid to bolster Connecticut education, gutting programs directly supporting teacher development and academic enrichment does nothing but harm our schools and our students,” said Sen. Marx. “These cuts impact communities across our region and our state. They represent significant setbacks that weaken our overall educational systems. I’m concerned they won’t be the last.”

State resources 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.

Senator Gaston Outraged Trump Cuts Could Strip Millions From Local Schools

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Senator Gaston Outraged Trump Cuts Could Strip Millions From Local Schools

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport) is outraged following the news that the Trump administration is withholding federal education funds. In the 23rd district, over $4 million would be withheld from Bridgeport and Stratford 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:

Bridgeport: $3,808,657

Stratford: $418,262

“This is deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” said Senator Gaston. “These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, this is real money that funds real classrooms, supports real teachers, and provides resources for real students. In Bridgeport alone, losing nearly $4 million could mean fewer school counselors, outdated textbooks, and even larger class sizes. The children in my district deserve better.”

Senator Gaston’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 MAHER DEEPLY TROUBLED BY LATEST TRUMP EDUCATION CUTS STRIPPING $2.3 MILLION FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS

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SENATOR MAHER DEEPLY TROUBLED BY LATEST TRUMP EDUCATION CUTS STRIPPING $2.3 MILLION FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS

State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) was deeply troubled by the latest announced federal education funding cuts from the Trump administration, which will strip billions of dollars from national education programs, more than $50 million from Connecticut public schools and $2,318,965 from public schools in Connecticut’s 26th Senate District.

These cuts include $1,953,036 in cuts to Stamford Public Schools, $75,496 for Westport Public Schools, $69,994 from Ridgefield Public Schools, $61,848 from New Canaan Public Schools, $42,667 from Darien Public Schools, $34,137 from Wilton  Public Schools, $32,205 from Weston Public Schools and $28,493 from the Stamford Charter School for Excellence according to the Connecticut School and State Finance Project.

Nationally, more than $6 billion in grants were cut 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.

“We face a shortage of teachers, our students need academic supports and back to school programs and adult education programs provide springboards for self-improvement and skill development. Cutting funds that support those efforts seems misguided at best and purposefully cruel at worst,” said Sen. Maher. “Scattershot funding cuts by the federal government continue to harm our communities, especially glaring when the recently approved budget will increase the national debt by trillions –it’s clear this isn’t a cost-cutting measure, or at least one that makes sense. I’m confident in our local school districts that they will continue serving students to the best of their abilities; I’m much less confident in the Trump administration.”

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.

Sen. Slap Slams Trump Administration Freezing Nearly $1M for Local Schools

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Sen. Slap Slams Trump Administration Freezing Nearly $1M for Local Schools

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Derek Slap slammed the Trump administration for withholding nearly $1 million dollars from Bloomfield, Burlington, Farmington and West Hartford 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:

Bloomfield: $398,578
Farmington: $152,733
Region 10: $36,774
West Hartford: $393,987
Total Funding Loss: $982,072

“This year my colleagues and I delivered a budget that provided millions more in education funding, particularly special education funding,” said Sen. Slap. “We take much pride in our schools and the high quality of education they offer, while also recognizing the significant burden on local taxpayers. The illegal actions of Trump administration is in direct conflict with the progress we have made. Between this funding freeze and a federal budget bill that kicks the most vulnerable off their healthcare and food assistance programs – our state simply cannot afford to mitigate all of the effects of a hostile federal partner.”

This legislative session, the state legislature passed a budget that prioritized municipal aid and local schools. The state budget delivered Bloomfield, Burlington, Farmington and West Hartford over $9.8 million in municipal aid over the next two years, including $2.65 million in each year for Education Cost Sharing (ECS). Additionally, local schools are set to receive nearly $1 million in Special Education and Expansion Development (SEED) grants over the next two years.

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