Lezlye Zupkus

Rep. Zupkus Issues Statement in Response to Education Committee Vote on Homeschool Bill

HARTFORD— State Rep. Lezyle Zupkus (R-Prospect), Ranking Member of the Education Committee , issued the following statement following the committee vote to advance HB 5468, An Act Concerning The Provision Of Equivalent Instruction. The final vote tally was 26 in support to 20 opposed: "More than 3,000 people opposed this homeschool bill, either in direct testimony before the Education Committee, or by submitting written testimony, and today, the voices of all those people, and many who join them in opposition, have been ignored. Instead of tackling real issues in our schools like failing reading levels, absenteeism, and student safety, this bill, put forward by a Democrat, targets homeschooling families who are doing right by their kids. This bill assumes parents are the problem. They’re not. This isn’t about education, it’s about government overreach, power and control. And it should be stopped before it goes any further."

Statement on House Democrats/local education funding

HARTFORD—House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford), State Rep. Lezyle Zupkus (R-Prospect), and State Rep. Tammy Nuccio (R-Tolland) released the following statement Monday in response to a news conference by House Democrats on providing more state education funding to local school districts: "The property tax crisis has reached a fever pitch in communities across Connecticut and we agree with our House Democratic colleagues that state education funding is at the heart of the matter. We're ready and willing to work across the aisle on solutions that will help municipal leaders deliver quality education in a manner taxpayers can afford. House Republicans have put forward solutions for several years to provide sustainable education funding for our communities, we've prioritized that, but our proposals have been largely ignored. It's good to see the other side of the aisle catching up to the conversation. We find encouragement in today's discussion around magnet school and agriscience tuition that local school districts pay, but the bulk of what was described is a promise, not a permanent fix. It would draw from the same $500 million pool of volatile, one-time revenue the Governor has already been eyeing for energy rebates and gas tax relief—enough to get municipal leaders through the budgets they're building right now, but nothing more. Our goal is to prioritize permanence over promises while making sure every community, regardless of size, is treated fairly." Rep. Zupkus is House Ranking Member of the Education Committee Rep. Nuccio is House Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee

Candelora, Zupkus Respond to Senate Democrats’ S.B. 7 Education Equity Proposal

HARTFORD— House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) and State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-Prospect), House Ranking Member of the Education Committee, released the following statement Wednesday in response to Senate Democrats’ news conference to promote S.B. 7, An Act Concerning Educational Equity: “Property taxes are a major driver of Connecticut's affordability crisis, and education funding is at the heart of the issue. While Democrats have previously directed hundreds of millions of dollars toward higher education, sacrificing K-12 students and property taxpayers in the process, House Republicans have consistently fought to protect local aid and secure more special education funding. This session, we've again put forward legislation ( H.B. 5093 ) to address the problem. We appreciate that Democrats are now joining us on the property tax crisis and look forward to working together toward real solutions. But we have to get this right. Under current law, increased ECS funding can actually force towns to raise property taxes to meet the Minimum Budget Requirement, and the last thing the majority party should do is add to the massive tax burden our residents are already facing. More state aid shouldn't mean higher local tax bills. We can fund our schools and cut property taxes. That's the standard any solution must meet.”

Rep. Lezlye Zupkus: Homeschooling Regulation Returns to Education Committee Agenda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HARTFORD – State Representative Lezlye Zupkus , Ranking Member of the Education Committee, is alerting families across Connecticut that expanded regulation of homeschooling has once again been raised as a proposal for the current legislative session. According to early discussions within the Education Committee on Wednesday, proposals aimed at increasing state oversight of homeschooling families are expected to move forward, with a public hearing likely in the coming weeks. The vote to advance the concept in the Education Committee, titled "the Provision of Equivalent Instruction in Connecticut," was along party lines, with Republicans all voting "No" to the concept. “For years, Connecticut has respected the rights of parents to make educational decisions that best fit their children,” said Rep. Zupkus . “Homeschool families are committed, engaged, and deeply invested in their children’s success. They should not be treated as though they are doing something wrong simply because they have chosen a different path.” Rep. Zupkus emphasized that the vast majority of families who educate their children at home do so responsibly and successfully. The concept that advanced Wednesday failed to include specifics on the proposed regulations. "Is this about the safety of our children? Is it about their education? So far, we have received almost no details on this proposal. If it's safety, the focus needs to be on all children in the state, not just a specific group. And all families in our state need to know that because of the vague language of this concept, these regulations could impact parochial and private schools as well." “Parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing and education of their children,” she said. “Expanding bureaucracy and adding new layers of regulation is not the answer. At a time when our public education system faces serious challenges, including students who cannot read, we should be focused on improving outcomes for students, not targeting families who are meeting their children’s needs outside the traditional system.” The Education Committee is expected to hold a public hearing to allow parents, educators, and stakeholders to provide testimony. “All homeschooling families should be very concerned. I strongly encourage homeschooling families and anyone who values parental rights to stay informed and be prepared to make their voices heard,” Zupkus added. “I will continue to stand firmly in opposition to unnecessary government overreach into the homes of Connecticut families.” Further details about the proposal and hearing date will be shared as they become available.

Rep. Zupkus and Sen. Rob Sampson to Hold Pre-Session Legislative Discussions in Cheshire and Prospect

CHESHIRE/PROSPECT – Residents are invited to attend two pre-legislative sessions with State Representative Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) and Sen. Rob Sampson (R-16) on Wednesday, Jan. 28 th at the Prospect Town Hall and Wednesday, Feb. 4 in Cheshire Town Hall . The updates will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. These events are opportunities to connect with the veteran lawmakers for a conversation about the upcoming 2026 legislative session and ask questions about any issues they wish to discuss, including proposed bills, the state budget and any other legislative concerns. PROSPECT WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 28 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Prospect Town Hall (36 Center St., Prospect) CHESHIRE WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Cheshire Town Hall (84 S. Main Street, Cheshire) Residents who are unable to attend but would like to voice a concern are urged to contact their legislators in the House at 800-842-1423 or Senate at 800-842-1421 or by emailing lezlye.zupkus@housegop.ct.gov