Democratic Party updates, campaign announcements, and the latest news from our local, state, and federal elected officials
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DCC Updates
This week, Stamford Democrats were proud to participate in the 4th Congressional District convention where we joined Democrats from across the 4th Congressional District to endorse Jim Himes to be the Democratic candidate for Congress. During his time in Congress, Congressman Himes has been an incredible advocate for Stamford and we look forward to helping him get re-elected.
To contribute to his campaign and learn about how you can get involved, click here.
Conventions were held this week to endorse Democratic candidates for the 26th, 27th, and 36th state senate districts. We are thrilled that State Senator Pat Billie Miller is the endorsed candidate for the 27th state senate district.
We are also excited that Trevor Crow is the endorsed candidate for the 36th state senate seat (currently held by Republican Ryan Fazio), as well as Ceci Maher, who is the endorsed candidate for the 26th state senate district. This district is new to Stamford due to re-districting and covers parts of Springdale and Glenbrook. Ceci is running to replace Will Haskell, who has represented the district since 2018.
City Updates
The City of Stamford has been awarded over $1.81 million in federal funding through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant program. This funding will go toward completing the phase II improvements at Boccuzzi Park, which will enhance the recreational amenities available to Stamford residents. Thank you to Senator Chris Murphy, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Congressman Himes for their continued support and advocacy for funds and resources to advance equity and improve our parks, trails, and recreation opportunities.
State Updates
This week was an incredible week for Stamford Public Schools! Mayor Caroline Simmons, Superintendent Dr. Lucero, and the Stamford delegation joined Norwalk city and state officials at Westhill to announce the exciting news that the recently passed state budget increases the state reimbursement for the Westhill High School project from 20% to 80%. That means the City of Stamford will receive $206.4 million in state funding for the Westhill project alone.
Not only that, but the state budget also increased the state school construction grant formula to 60% for future projects for the next 25 years.
This would not have been possible without the leadership of Senator Pat Billie Miller, who brought this funding across the finish line, and the support of the rest of the Democratic members of the Stamford delegation – Representative Dan Fox, Representative Matt Blumenthal, Representative Corey Paris, Representative David Michel, and Representative Hubert Delany.
Thank you also to Dr. Lucero and her team for their leadership and work each day to make Stamford schools the best they can be for students.
This funding will impact students, teachers, and staff for years to come, save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, and provide a modern and healthy learning environment as well as transformative upgrades to new and existing schools.
Federal Updates
Senator Chris Murphy held a press conference in Bridgeport this week to highlight the MyHomeCT program. Under the American Rescue Plan Act, Connecticut was awarded approximately $123 million to establish MyHomeCT, a program funded by the Homeowner Assistance Fund. The goal of MyHomeCT is to cure mortgage delinquencies and defaults, and prevent foreclosures among eligible homeowners that occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Homeowners are eligible for up to $30,000 in grants. For more information about the program, click here.
Congressman Himes met with legislators from Kosovo in Washington D.C. They discussed strengthening the bonds between the United States and Kosovo, particularly amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In the News
“It will take about $16,000, the city clerk estimated, to have a book filled with Stamford records from the 1700s restored and preserved. So she recently appeared before the Board of Finance and asked for it. And got it.”
ICYMI: Historic preservation of Stamford records has been a priority for Town Clerk Lyda Ruijter and this week, the Advocate highlighted how the Board of Finance and the Board of Representatives approved the use $16,100 from a historic preservation fund to preserve some of the books she has been looking to restore. Stamford has volumes of books containing town records that previously sat at the abandoned former police building on Haig Avenue, as well as the basement of the Stamford Government Center.
Click here to read more.
“Why were state Rep. Kim Fiorello and state Sen. Ryan Fazio on the podium? They both voted NO on the budget that included this funding. They had no business taking credit for funding they didn’t support and voted against.”
ICYMI: Check out this op-ed by Stamford resident Michelle Abt as she highlights that Republicans Kim Fiorello and Ryan Fazio voted against the budget which included the new increased funding for Stamford Public Schools.
Campaign Announcements
SenatorPat Billie Miller needs a few more contributions to qualify for the Citizens’ Election Program! Click here to contribute to her campaign today!
Click here to learn more about Erick Russell, Democratic endorsed candidate for Treasurer.
Click here to learn more about Stephanie Thomas, Democratic endorsed candidate for Secretary of the State.