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BETHEL DEMOCRATS: “Good for Bethel”
The Bethel Democratic Town Committee (BDTC) is the official local organization of the Connecticut Democratic Party in the town of Bethel. We are a group elected to represent Bethel’s Democrats, and we endeavor to improve our town through community engagement and political involvement. We aim to be a progressive voice for the town of Bethel, and will always support what is in the best interest of the entire community and all its people.
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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
News from the BDTC and opinion pieces from our members and candidates.
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Bethel Democrats
The Bethel Democratic Town Committee works to promote Bethel's Democrats for public office in Bethel
Today is Juneteenth, commemorating the day in Texas in 1865 when enslaved Black people were finally declared free. The Bethel Dems honor this day and celebrate that our country no longer allows human enslavement. Happy Juneteenth!
The Bethel Dems celebrate the fathers and father figures that nurture and love us. Happy Father’s Day!
Today in Bethel, approximately 1,200 patriots gathered peacefully to say, “No Kings in the United States.” Thank you to the Bethel Police Department for their vigilance. Through speakers and music, we were reminded that Bethel and the USA stand for truth and justice. These are just some of the photos.
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Today in Bethel, approximately 1,200 patriots gathered peacefully to say, “No Kings in the United States.” Thank you to the Bethel Police Department for their vigilance. Through speakers and music, we were reminded that Bethel and the USA stand for truth and justice. These are just some of the photos.
This Flag Day, we honor our US flag and remember that the United States was founded on the idea that no person is above the law. Join fellow patriots today in declaring No Kings in America!
Thank you, Raghib Allie-Brennan! This is how public service is supposed to work.I’m proud to share that I secured $150,000 in the newly passed state budget to support two Bethel-based youth organizations doing critical work in our community:
▪️ $75,000 for Kind Works, Inc. To launch a new Kind Works Afterschool Program focused on helping kids build emotional resilience and peer connection through kindness-based learning. This program will reduce isolation and anxiety in a creative, fun, and inclusive setting.
▪️ $75,000 for Friends of Bethel Parks and Recreation to upgrade and expand programming at the Teen Center in the Bethel Municipal Center, including new gaming equipment, support for basketball tournaments, book clubs, and field trips, and expanded transportation to keep up with rising busing costs.
These local wins are part of a broader push I’ve supported to ensure this budget prioritizes our kids and working families.
We delivered:
▪️$30M per year for special education expansion
▪️Increased Medicaid support for children’s behavioral health
▪️24/7 mobile psychiatric response statewide
▪️New funding for nonprofits and youth diversionary programs
We’re threading the needle, delivering direct, local investments while advancing a statewide commitment to children’s mental health, education, and enrichment.
This isn’t new for me, I previously secured state funding for Danbury Youth Services to expand outreach for at-risk youth and for the Friends of the Bethel Public Library to help launch an after-school program that has since become self-sustaining.
We’re not just funding programs, we’re creating long-term opportunities for young people to thrive. I’m proud to bring these resources home and will keep working to make sure our kids have the safe spaces, support systems, and opportunities they deserve.
▪️ $75,000 for Kind Works, Inc. To launch a new Kind Works Afterschool Program focused on helping kids build emotional resilience and peer connection through kindness-based learning. This program will reduce isolation and anxiety in a creative, fun, and inclusive setting.
▪️ $75,000 for Friends of Bethel Parks and Recreation to upgrade and expand programming at the Teen Center in the Bethel Municipal Center, including new gaming equipment, support for basketball tournaments, book clubs, and field trips, and expanded transportation to keep up with rising busing costs.
These local wins are part of a broader push I’ve supported to ensure this budget prioritizes our kids and working families.
We delivered:
▪️$30M per year for special education expansion
▪️Increased Medicaid support for children’s behavioral health
▪️24/7 mobile psychiatric response statewide
▪️New funding for nonprofits and youth diversionary programs
We’re threading the needle, delivering direct, local investments while advancing a statewide commitment to children’s mental health, education, and enrichment.
This isn’t new for me, I previously secured state funding for Danbury Youth Services to expand outreach for at-risk youth and for the Friends of the Bethel Public Library to help launch an after-school program that has since become self-sustaining.
We’re not just funding programs, we’re creating long-term opportunities for young people to thrive. I’m proud to bring these resources home and will keep working to make sure our kids have the safe spaces, support systems, and opportunities they deserve.
The Trump administration’s actions are completely illegal and constitute a dangerous incendiary escalation that could easily get out of hand. Americans, stand up and protest!
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Bethel voters, please take note of this support. Representative Allie-Brennan, our state rep for District 2, voted “yes” to provide support for our schools. This is good for all Bethel students, and the increase helps keep your local taxes down. Bethel schools have been short-changed in the state budget process for over a decade, and thanks to Rep. Allie-Brennan and his Democratic colleagues, it has finally been corrected. The other lawmakers who represent Bethel voted “no.” These are State Representative Martin Foncello, State Senator Eric Berthel and State Senator Tony Hwang. Remember their names.I’m proud to share that Bethel is set to receive more than $1.1 million in additional state aid under the newly passed FY 2026–2027 budget marking a long-overdue correction to how our town has been funded.
Much of this increase comes from the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula, which helps fund our local public schools. For years, Bethel received less than its fair share. This budget begins to fix that, bringing our total statutory aid to $11,040,842, up from $9.5 million last year, a nearly 12% increase.
As I said when the budget passed:
“This funding doesn’t move us ahead, it just makes us whole. For years, Bethel was underfunded compared to other towns. This increase helps close that gap.”
The budget also includes important reforms aimed at cost controls in special education and increased oversight of out-of-district placements.
Superintendent Dr. Christine Carver shared:
“In addition to the revenue increase in ECS, there were a number of bills passed which address cost controls in special education and accountability or oversight of out-of-district placements. We believe that this will aid in fiscal efficiency, while ensuring the quality of placements for our students with disabilities.”
These are your tax dollars coming back to Bethel, supporting our schools, easing pressure on local budgets, and giving us the stability we need to plan for the future.
As always, I’ll keep fighting to make sure Bethel gets what it deserves.
Article: patch.com/connecticut/bethel/amp/32553275/state-budget-boosts-bethel-education-funding-by-over-1-...
Much of this increase comes from the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula, which helps fund our local public schools. For years, Bethel received less than its fair share. This budget begins to fix that, bringing our total statutory aid to $11,040,842, up from $9.5 million last year, a nearly 12% increase.
As I said when the budget passed:
“This funding doesn’t move us ahead, it just makes us whole. For years, Bethel was underfunded compared to other towns. This increase helps close that gap.”
The budget also includes important reforms aimed at cost controls in special education and increased oversight of out-of-district placements.
Superintendent Dr. Christine Carver shared:
“In addition to the revenue increase in ECS, there were a number of bills passed which address cost controls in special education and accountability or oversight of out-of-district placements. We believe that this will aid in fiscal efficiency, while ensuring the quality of placements for our students with disabilities.”
These are your tax dollars coming back to Bethel, supporting our schools, easing pressure on local budgets, and giving us the stability we need to plan for the future.
As always, I’ll keep fighting to make sure Bethel gets what it deserves.
Article: patch.com/connecticut/bethel/amp/32553275/state-budget-boosts-bethel-education-funding-by-over-1-...
Bethel’s voters, at a glance…
3,990
DEMOCRATS
3,152
REPUBLICANS
5,524
UNAFFILIATED or MINOR PARTY
12,666
REGISTERED VOTERS