Graduate to Connecticut

Graduate and Come Back to Connecticut

As I travel across Connecticut, I have been privileged to meet many talented young people who have been inspired by our President and are getting involved in our Democratic party for the first time. We need a leader who will continue to engage our young people and keep them involved in our election process as we shape the future of Connecticut.

Young people represent the future of our state and nation. They are full of promise and democratic values that will undoubtedly continue to deliver the change that we all so eagerly seek. Unfortunately, we are losing them faster than any other state in the country. This is very troubling and does not bode well as we work to build a competitive economy for our state. We need to reverse the brain drain, and stop it now!

Young people are leaving Connecticut for a number of reasons including: 1) the lack of affordable housing, 2) plentiful job opportunities, 3) reliable public transportation, and 4) dynamic urban centers with places to meet other young people.

We also need to invest in the kind of jobs and industries that will attract young people to Connecticut and inspire them to stay. Connecticut should become a leader in biotech, clean and renewable energy development, and green technologies. We have the human resources to do it, but we just need the leadership and vision at the top of state government to expand economic development and job growth.

We should also consider offering young professionals tax credits in return for a commitment to live in our state for a few years after they graduate from college. States such as Maine and Florida are experimenting with this innovative approach. With college graduations taking place across our state the past few weeks, statistics show that at least half of the Connecticut students who graduate from colleges out of state never return. Let's reverse this trend and give our young people a real reason to return to Connecticut and raise their families here!

I recently rallied with AT&T workers from CWA Local 1298 in New Haven for Good Jobs and Universal Healthcare. Click on the photo to see the video!

Remember our Fallen Heroes

This Memorial Day, let's take time to remember those who have given their lives to defend our freedoms. Remember the sacrifices of those who would courageously lay down their lives in defense of our Democracy, and let us all be thankful for the privilege of freedom, peace, and security. We must always remember that freedom isn't free. To date, we have lost 43 members of the Armed Services from Connecticut fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq since the terrorist attacks of 9/11. While we cherish their memories and we will never take their service for granted, we must also remember that every soldier, sailor, airman and marine is a son, daughter, father, mother, sister, and brother. Every one of these brave men and women is a vibrant member of our community. And their families have sacrificed a great deal so that we could enjoy the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. So while you are enjoying the long holiday weekend, please take a moment to remember the sacrifices made by our military and their families. Tie a yellow ribbon around a tree, say thank you to a veteran or plant a flag at a local ceremony. Pay tribute to the fallen heroes, whose bravery and selflessness shall never be forgotten.