Posted on May 1, 2018 by admin

HARTFORD – State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus voted no on legislation last week that would give institutional aid funds to undocumented students and give a 2 percent salary increase to graduate teachers and research assistants. Both bills passed the House by narrow margins.

The first bill, S.B. 4 – An Act Assisting Students without Legal Immigration Status with the Cost of College – extends eligibility for institutional financial aid to attend a state public higher education institution to certain students, including those who lack legal immigration status. The bill extends eligibility for aid to these students, to the extent allowed by federal law, if they meet certain residency, age, and criminal history requirements and file an affidavit about their intent to legalize their immigration status with the institution they are attending.

“College is unaffordable and the state of Connecticut isn’t making it easy for hardworking taxpayers to pay for college,” said Rep. Zupkus. “This legislation will result in legal students having more debt and less aid, and for that reason, I couldn’t support this bill.”

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Posted on May 1, 2018 by admin

HARTFORD – State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus welcomed athletes with Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT) on Wednesday, April 25th. Pictured – Soccer Player Angie D’Amico from Cheshire with State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus.

SOCT’s visiting representatives, work as Global Messengers, advocating for the needs of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who wish to compete in sporting events. During their time at the Capitol they spoke with members of both the House and Senate.

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Posted on April 27, 2018 by admin

PROSPECT – State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus represented the Beacon Falls and Prospect state delegations on Tuesday morning at Long River Middle School to honor the winners of their Annual Women’s History Month Essay Contest.

“I always learn something new about important women in Connecticut’s history from reading these wonderful essays,” said Rep. Zupkus. “Maria C. Sanchez and Ella T. Grasso are women role models who paved the way for women not just in Connecticut but around the world. Women have proven we can do anything if we put our minds to it.”

The young ladies said they learned a lot about Connecticut women.

Charlie Hughes said, “Maria Sanchez inspires me to not think of what you can lose when you take a risk, but instead what you can gain.

Yasmeen Galal mentioned Ella Grasso has taught her valuable life lessons that you can achieve anything despite gender barriers.

All Long River Middle School, 6th-grade students, were invited to participate in the National Women’s History Month contest by writing a 300-word essay on the topic, “Important Women in Connecticut’s History and How Their Contributions to the State and Nation Affect Me.”

Each student was asked to focus on one notable Connecticut woman, detailing her life and accomplishments and what those accomplishments mean to them. The students received an official state citation and a state seal of Connecticut pin from the Connecticut General Assembly. The winner received a flag flown over the State Capitol.

Winner – Charli Hughes – Maria C. Sanchez
Runner-up – Yasmeen Galal – Ella T. Grasso.

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, State Senators George Logan and Joe Markley were unable to attend due legislative commitments.

Pictured – State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus, Charli Hughes – Maria C. Sanchez (Middle) and Yasmeen Galal – Ella T. Grasso. (2nd from the right)