Gale Mastrofrancesco

Rep. Mastrofrancesco Helps Local Students Celebrate Read Across America with Classroom Visits

WOLCOTT, CT — Students in Wolcott had a special opportunity this month to celebrate Read Across America with a visit focused on the importance of reading and early education. During the visit, Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, R-Wolcott , spent time with first-grade students at Frisbee Elementary School, where she read two books to students, including “Let It Rain” by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and a Sesame Street story. The event gave students a chance to engage with reading in a fun and interactive way. Rep. Mastrofrancesco also visited an additional classroom at Wakelee Elementary School during a spirited pajama day celebration. Students in both second- and third-grade classrooms enjoyed a reading of “Happy Dreamer” by Peter H. Reynolds, continuing the theme of creativity and imagination through literacy. Read Across America highlights the importance of building strong reading habits at an early age, helping set students on a path toward long-term academic success. Events like these reinforce the value of literacy while encouraging a lifelong love of books.

Rep. Mastrofrancesco to Holds Legislative Updates in Southington and Wolcott; Open to all Residents

SOUTHINGTON/WOLCOTT - Coming up in early February, Rep. Mastrofrancesco is inviting residents to join Sen. Rob Sampson and her for two upcoming legislative updates in Southington and Wolcott in advance of the 2026 legislative session. These meetings are a chance to hear what’s ahead in Hartford, ask questions, and share your thoughts on issues like proposed legislation, the state budget, and other concerns that are important to you. Both events are open to members of the public. 📍 Southington (John Weichsel Municipal Center) 🗓 Monday, Feb. 2 ⏰ 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. 📍 Wolcott Town Hall (10 Kenea Avenue, Wolcott) 🗓 Thursday, February 5 ⏰ 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Op-Ed: Expanding the TRUST Act Puts Political Ideology Ahead of Public Safety

From the Desk of Rep. Mastrofrancesco: Connecticut has once again found itself debating an issue that highlights just how far the majority party in Hartford is willing to go to prioritize political ideology over public safety and the rule of law. Lawmakers are now discussing expanding the already controversial TRUST Act - a move that would further limit cooperation between our state and federal immigration authorities, including ICE. Let us be clear: the TRUST Act already prevents our local and state police from honoring federal detainer requests in most cases. That means if someone is here illegally and has been arrested for a crime, local law enforcement cannot notify ICE unless that person has been convicted of one of a limited list of serious offenses. Democrat lawmakers have been vague on their intentions, but any expansion of this law would take an already flawed policy and make it even easier for dangerous individuals to avoid federal authorities. That is not protecting families – that is putting them at risk. Democrats, who are in the majority in the Senate and House, who support this expansion argue it is about “protecting immigrants.” But that is a misleading talking point. The reality is that expanding the TRUST Act protects criminals who are in our country illegally - not hardworking, law-abiding immigrants who follow the rules and contribute positively to their communities. It is a disservice to every legal immigrant who came here the right way and respects our laws. We have seen the consequences of soft-on-crime policies before. Whether it is reduced bail, early release programs, or limiting cooperation with federal law enforcement, the result is always the same: less accountability and more risk to our neighborhoods. Connecticut families want to feel safe when they go to work, send their kids to school, or walk down the street, not wonder whether someone who should have been turned over to ICE was instead released back into the community because of a political decision in Hartford. I support laws that treat people with fairness and dignity. But compassion without responsibility is dangerous. When someone commits a violent crime, their immigration status should not shield them from consequences or from being turned over to the federal authorities responsible for enforcing immigration law. Our local police officers are here to keep our communities safe - not to defy federal law because politicians at the Capitol think they know better than law enforcement. It is also troubling that these discussions are happening in the context of a special session , with little transparency or public input. This is exactly the kind of backroom legislating that erodes public trust. Before changing laws that affect public safety, lawmakers should be listening to victims, law enforcement, and community members - not just activist groups and advocacy organizations with political agendas. We all agree that no one should live in fear of going to court to report a crime to police or to pay a fine. But expanding the TRUST Act goes far beyond that - it ties the hands of law enforcement and sends the message that Connecticut is willing to ignore federal law when it is politically convenient. That is not leadership; it is recklessness. Connecticut is struggling with affordability, high taxes, and the departure of families and businesses. Yet, instead of focusing on making our state more affordable and restoring trust in government, the majority continues to push divisive policies that make our communities less safe. The federal government has the responsibility to enforce immigration laws. The state’s role should be to cooperate where necessary, not obstruct. When we start dictating to federal authorities what they can and cannot do, we go down a very slippery slope that undermines both the rule of law and public safety. An expansion of the act sends the wrong message to law enforcement, to victims, and to every Connecticut resident who simply wants a safe community. I will continue to stand with those who believe in accountability, common sense, and respect for the law because that is what it takes to truly protect our communities. -Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco

Rep. Mastrofrancesco Op-Ed: Hartford’s Cash-for-Connections Culture Under Investigation

<p><strong>From the Desk of Rep. Mastrofrancesco:</strong></p> <p>Nothing should be a surprise when it comes to Hartford, and some days, it really does feel like Groundhog&#8217;s Day (the movie with Bill Murray where he lived the same day over and over again). Yet, here we are, with another federal corruption investigation involving a legislator. Grand jury subpoenas have been issued that center around nonprofits and related entities in Hartford &#8211; all beneficiaries of millions in state tax dollars &#8211; connected to Democrat State Senator Douglas McCrory.</p> <p>At its core, the investigation, as reported in the media, is painfully straightforward: hard-earned taxpayer funds meant for non-profits, instead appear to have been funneled into organizations operating with minimal transparency and questionable oversight. These subpoenas, sent to both the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Minority Business Initiative Advisory Council, seek communications, financial documents, and internal correspondence tied to a dozen nonprofit groups.</p> <p>Their list includes several organizations in Hartford, as well as &#8220;Girls for Technology,&#8221; the SHEBA Resource Center, and others. One name keeps coming up in this scandal: Sonserae Cicero-Hamlin. She directs at least four organizations &#8211; SHEBA Resource Center, SHEBA Consulting LLC, Society of Human Engagement and Businesses Alignment, and more, according to the CT Mirror.</p> <p>Collectively, her organizations have received at least $400,000 in state grants and her organization had requested earmarks for millions in federal dollars. Her financial practices, and representations made by Cicero-Hamlin’s groups, raised red flags among other local nonprofit directors, according to published reports. But did that stop anyone from turning off the tap to public funds? Did that halt the flow of hundreds of thousands in tax dollars? Of course not! Instead, the state’s own advisory council &#8211; on which McCrory sits still recommended $300,000 for her entities.</p> <p>The degree of taxpayer risk here is just incredible. Citizens expect their state government to uphold the highest standards of accountability, especially when distributing public funds. Instead, this episode highlights how political connections can override even basic due diligence. I have been in Hartford on &#8220;budget day&#8221; when we receive a massive document that is packed with earmarks for organizations and non-profits that we have never heard of.</p> <p>For many of these groups, we have no idea what they do, who runs them or, more importantly, why they are getting YOUR MONEY. Some even lack functioning websites, but get thousands in public funds. Lawmakers are asked to review hundreds of pages in budget documents, and then vote on it, usually in a matter of hours. I have voted no to those budgets for many reasons, the lack of transparency being just one. But this situation underscores the broader problem in Hartford: millions are being disbursed to organizations that cannot even maintain a basic public presence, let alone transparent financial reporting or operational accountability.</p> <p>My suspicion is that this investigation will grow and we are just looking at the tip of the iceberg, which is why I call upon my colleagues in the legislature to act swiftly:</p> <ol> <li>Immediately suspend funding for any nonprofit that fails to meet minimum transparency standards—including having an operational website, financial disclosures, and audited reports.</li> <li>Require a public accountability dashboard for all state-funded nonprofits, accessible by any citizen, detailing funds received, performance outcomes and details of exactly how the money is spent.</li> <li>Ban state officials from advocating for funding of nonprofits with whom they or their immediate family members have a personal or financial relationship.</li> </ol> <p>Connecticut residents deserve better. They deserve honest, efficient stewardship of their tax dollars. Allowing opaque non-profit operations and blurred lines between political influence and funding decisions undermines public trust. The federal subpoenas should serve as a wake-up call to everyone in the legislature.</p> <p>If we do not seize this moment to reform, we will continue to watch as money vanishes into organizational sinkholes, and legitimate providers of community services struggle to compete fairly. The people of Connecticut &#8211; and especially Hartford &#8211; demand transparency, integrity, and accountability. It&#8217;s our responsibility to deliver.</p> <p>I can be reached by email at Gale.Mastrofrancesco@housegop.ct.gov or by phone at (800) 842-1423.</p>

Major Acts Report Released

<p>HARTFORD &#8211; The Office of Legislative Research has published its 2025 Major Public Acts report, which provides summaries of new laws that were passed during the 2025 legislative session, including legislation focused on public safety, education and transportation, among several other important areas.</p> <p>The OLR report gives brief summaries of the laws, some of which went into effect on July 1, and links so you can learn more.</p> <p>The full report can be found here: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/Major-Acts?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExU011SmhFZk1JMEZ2WVNCdAEe6RQpqJMdUj-IrH8UzE4k-K55YqqbY02Js8PvJxu7que01PXaFnE9r0BePME_aem_h8V7009FEPC4eMYR3EK0qQ">https://tinyurl.com/Major-Acts</a></p>