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JANUARY 2025
Guide INSIDE!
Congrats, you won: Now what?
State Sen. Jeff Gordon, shown supporting Small Business Saturday, says he will be working on cost-of-living issues. Photo courtesy Sen. Gordon’s Office.
With the new year comes a new slate of state legislators. Prior to the election in November, the North Central News reached out to candidates to see their biggest priority/ front-burner issue if they were elected. Here is a glimpse back to the winners’ answers at the time, which provide insight as to what we might be expecting next in a story that NCN is calling “Congratulations, you won: Now what?” U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, 2nd Dist. Creating good paying, family-supporting jobs is my number one focus and we are seeing solid growth in north central Connecticut. That growth is directly connected to my work in Washington. Next year new construction with funding I secured from the U.S. Department of Transportation will start a new train station in Thompsonville, which will help revitalize the region. As ranking member of the Seapower Subcommittee that oversees Navy ship-
building, I am directing investments in the submarine industrial base (5,300 hires at Electric Boat) that have a ripple effect on small submarine supply chain manufacturers in Enfield, Vernon, Stafford, Suffield, and beyond to expand and hire more workers. As a senior member of Committee on Education and Workforce, I also secured funding for job training programs in com-
prehensive K-12 schools as well as technical schools to help students and workers access rewarding careers. There is more to be done to take advantage
Joe Courtney
NOW WHAT?/Page 31
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