Lamont, Fazio release dueling campaign proposals
Connecticut
Opinion: Connecticut can resist!
The President of the United States has rescinded civil rights programs, has threatened to withhold funding from diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and has announced plans to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education. A group of other states has sued to repeal Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
These actions endanger decades of including people with disabilities and others in our national melting pot. While I am alarmed and saddened by these threats to our civil rights, I believe that Connecticut can resist this assault and protect our residents.
Did you know that the State Constitution declares that “No person shall be denied the equal protection of the law nor be subjected to segregation or discrimination in the exercise or enjoyment of his or her civil or political rights because of religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex or physical or mental disability.”?
Our State Constitution also affirms that “There shall always be free public elementary and secondary schools in the state” and Connecticut enacted a law requiring special education 15 years before the federal government did so. Did you know that, in Connecticut, the membership of each state appointive board, commission, committee, and council must reflect the gender and racial diversity of the state?
Not all states guarantee free public education and equal protection of the law. Not all states require diversity in their public boards and commissions. We do, and these are just a few examples of Connecticut’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
However the federal government erodes the civil rights of diverse peoples, Connecticut can do better. I am proud of the actions by our federal delegation in Washington D.C. to resist the assault on public programs and civil rights. I am proud of our Gov. Ned Lamont for confirming that our enduring values include hope and opportunity for dreamers from around the world, yearning to breathe free.
I am proud of our Attorney General William Tong for joining other states in federal courts to stop unilateral abuses of power by the federal government. The State Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) has declared, “The actions at the federal level do not remove civil rights protections under Connecticut state law, and the CHRO remains steadfastly committed to enforcing civil rights antidiscrimination law for all protected classes and people.”
I am not Pollyanna. Intentional work will be required to ensure that, here in Connecticut, there is no discrimination in the exercise or enjoyment of civil or political rights because of religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, or physical or mental disability. Where federal funding is withheld, Connecticut must find the means to compensate. There will be choices to be made. We must consider our priorities.
Our Secretary of the State has launched a new campaign, the Power of Civics, to promote the importance of civic education and civic engagement by encouraging and enabling people to participate in their communities, identify issues, and work to solve problems. Get involved!
We can do this! We can be the city upon a hill.
Walter Glomb is Executive Director of the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Connecticut
5 Connecticut towns to receive $2M each for infrastructure upgrades
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Five Connecticut towns will collectively receive $10 million in grants for infrastructure upgrades, according to a Monday announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont.
The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is awarding $10.7 million to Coventry, Guilford, Ledyard, Mansfield and Thomaston to modernize and rehabilitate housing for low- and moderate-income residents, the announcement said.
The funds are being released through the DOH’s Community Development Block Grant’s small cities program, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To be eligible, a municipality must have fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cost Breakdown
Coventry: $2 million
Town of Coventry plans to use funds to upgrade, with a focus on making Orchard Hill Estates compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Guilford: $2 million
The Town of Guilford plans to use funds to design and build future affordable housing projects, consisting of up to 16 rental units and 8 homes.
Ledyard: $2 million
The Town of Canton requested funding for the first phase of affordable housing for people in Ledyard and the surrounding area. Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut is in the pre-development phase of the Colby Drive and plans to create 38 units.
Mansfield: $2.2 million
Funding will be used for upgrades to Wright’s Village, including roof replacements and sidewalk repairs.
Thomaston: $2.5 million
Funds will be used to make Green Manor ADA-compliant, including the installation of a new emergency call aid system.
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Connecticut
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Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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