Democratic Party updates, campaign announcements, and the latest news from our local, state, and federal elected officials
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City Updates
This week, the City of Stamford announced that it is one of 12 municipalities in Connecticut that received funding under the Connecticut Communities Challenge Grant Program through the Department of Economic and Community Development.
Stamford will receive $2.5 million for the Scrap Works Initiative, which is designed to transform Pacific Street by creating a main street with small businesses housed in retrofitted existing buildings that reflect the community culture.
The award was given to this project based on its focus of creating a lively commercial area that increases foot traffic, prioritizes streetscape improvements while also preserving and reinvesting in the historic buildings on Pacific Street. The Scrap Works Initiative will invest in affordable retail opportunities for residents and reinvigorate underused properties to create a variety of mixed-use spaces for work and leisure.
In honor of National Public Health Week, Mayor Caroline Simmons visited and met with the employees in the Stamford Health Department. The past two years has underscored the importance of public health and providing essential services to protect the health and well-being of Stamford residents.
She commended the City’s Department of Health staff and Jody Bishop-Pullan, Acting Director of Health, for all their proactive actions and leadership to help Stamford through the COVID-19 pandemic while also attending to the many other community health needs.
State Updates
Join Representative Corey Paris on Tuesday, April 12th at 7:00 pm for a virtual discussion about how our state funds public education and how that system impacts the education cost sharing formula (ECS) and the amount of money Stamford schools receive. Click here to register for the event.
Starting today, April 10th and continuing through Saturday, April 16, all clothing and shoes with a listed price under $100 will be exempt from the state’s sales tax. This is in addition to the regularly observed sales tax free week held annually in August. For a full list of taxable and non-taxed items, click here.
Federal Updates
Congratulations to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on being confirmed to the Supreme Court! She is the the first Black woman in history to be confirmed to the nation’s highest court.
In March, Senator Richard Blumenthal traveled with a bipartisan Congressional delegation to the Ukraine-Poland border.
Join a Zoom conversation today at 4:30 pm with Senator Blumenthal to hear about his experience, learn about the U.S. aid package to Ukraine, and get the latest information on the 100,000 Ukrainian refugees seeking safety in the U.S.
Click here to register.
In the News
“We must take urgent action to make critical investments in American innovation, reduce our reliance on despotic regimes and expand economic cooperation with our allies across the globe. The bipartisan innovation bill will not only be good for our economy and our pocketbooks, it’s also critical for our national security. The Russian war in Ukraine and escalating Chinese aggression toward Taiwan show why Congress must swiftly send this legislation to the President’s desk.”
ICYMI: Congressman Jim Himes joined his colleague Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) to write an op-ed regarding the need to pass the bipartisan innovation bill they are working on. This bill would address the economic challenges Americans are facing by strengthening our supply chains, supercharging American innovation and helping America outcompete nations like China.
You can read the op-ed here.
Congressman Himes and Congresswoman Sherrill are members of the New Democrat Coalition, the largest Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives. The New Democrat Coalition is made up of 98 forward-thinking Democrats who are committed to pro-economic growth, pro-innovation, and fiscally responsible policies.
Campaign Announcements
State Representative David Michel is running for re-election! During his time in the legislature, Representative Michel has fought for environmental justice, enhanced mental health support, and expanded access to health care.
In order to qualify for the Citizens’ Election Program, Representative Michel needs at least 150 contributions from Stamford residents. The minimum contribution amount is $5 and the maximum contribution amount is $290.
Click here to contribute.
Spring is here and that means we are headed into state convention season! In less than a month, Democratic candidates up-and-down the ticket will be endorsed ahead of the middterm election. After these endorsements, we will be ramping up our efforts to support the campagins of our endorsed candidates in Stamford and we will need YOUR help!
Click here to sign up to volunteer and we will follow up with more information on ways to help. Have an idea for a volunteer effort? Send us an email at info@stamforddems.com and we will be in touch.