Laura Tillman

Mexico City, Mexico

Journalist and Audio Producer at Freelance

Human Services Reporter at The CT Mirror

Articles

Transformative CT early childhood education bill gets full passage

4 days ago | hartfordbusiness.com | Laura Tillman

The Connecticut House of Representatives passed a priority bill on Saturday that promises to transform early childhood care and education for generations of families. Senate Bill 1, which also includes supports for special education, would create a new endowment for early childhood education that would draw up to $300 million from surplus funds each year.
Transformative CT early childhood education bill gets full passage

5 days ago | ctpublic.org | Laura Tillman

The Connecticut House of Representatives passed a priority bill on Saturday that promises to transform early childhood care and education for generations of families. Senate Bill 1, which also includes supports for special education, would create a new endowment for early childhood education that would draw up to $300 million from surplus funds each year.
CT Senate passes early childhood, special education bill

1 week ago | ctmirror.org | Laura Tillman

The Connecticut Senate passed a priority bill on Friday evening by a vote of 32-4 after an hourslong filibuster from some Republicans. The bill now heads to the House and, if passed into law, would create a groundbreaking new fund for early childhood education that draws from surplus funds, with up to $300 million invested each year. Also included in the bill are new supports related to special education for school districts, teachers and students.
Qué saber sobre los beneficios del EBT de verano de CT en 2025

1 week ago | ctmirror.org | Laura Tillman

Traducción por Jorge Alatrista, Identidad Latina Multimedia. Read this story in English. El programa EBT de verano proporciona una inyección adicional de fondos para alimentos durante el verano, cuando los niños no asisten a la escuela y no tienen acceso a desayunos y almuerzos gratuitos o a precio reducido. Este es el segundo año que el programa, conocido a nivel federal como SUN Bucks, se ofrece a familias elegibles.
What to know about SUN Bucks

1 week ago | ctmirror.org | Laura Tillman

The Summer EBT program provides an extra infusion of funds for food over the summer when children are out of school and do not have access to reduced price or free breakfast and lunch. This is the second year the program, federally known as SUN Bucks, is offered to eligible families. Connecticut is one of 38 states, along with several tribal nations and U.S. territories, participating in SUN Bucks this year.
Bethany first selectwoman to resign after scathing report

2 weeks ago | ctmirror.org | Laura Tillman

This story has been updated. Bethany First Selectwoman Paula Cofrancesco announced her resignation before a town meeting on Monday night, reading from a letter that she said she planned to file with the town clerk’s office on Tuesday morning. The resignation comes after a scathing report was released on May 15 that accused Cofrancesco of mishandling a number of allegations that children were sexually abused while attending after-school and camp programs run by the town.
Report faults Bethany first selectwoman, state police in abuse case

3 weeks ago | ctmirror.org | Laura Tillman |Dave Altimari

A scathing report into how town officials in Bethany handled allegations of sexual abuse in a town-run camp found that First Selectwoman Paula Cofrancesco deceived Bethany residents and failed to protect local children from an alleged abuser — then resisted efforts to make those programs safer.
Largest strike of CT health care workers’ on the horizon. Workers say they need a living wage

3 weeks ago | courant.com | Laura Tillman

Members of SEIU 1199 who work in group homes warned Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday that they were planning to strike if a negotiation over wages isn’t reached by May 27. Following a press conference, members of the union walked to Lamont’s office in the Capitol on Thursday and delivered strike notifications to a member of his staff. They say it’s impossible to survive on the paltry $18.42 an hour that many are paid for work that is stressful and even dangerous.
Group home workers join with nursing home workers in strike threat

3 weeks ago | ctmirror.org | Laura Tillman

Members of SEIU 1199 who work in group homes warned Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday that they were planning to strike if a negotiation over wages isn’t reached by May 27. Following a press conference, members of the union walked to Lamont’s office in the capitol on Thursday and delivered strike notifications to a member of his staff. They say it’s impossible to survive on the paltry $18.42 an hour that many are paid for work that is stressful and even dangerous.
CT Senate passes municipal camp bill following emotional debate

3 weeks ago | ctmirror.org | Laura Tillman

After hours of debate, much of it emotional and personal, the Connecticut Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would require municipal camps to be licensed by the state, despite pushback from some lawmakers who said the legislation could unintentionally shutter low-cost child care options that many parents rely on in the summer. Sen.