Bridgeport State Rep. Chris Rosario has been named chair of the Connecticut Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus for the General Assembly session that convened on Wednesday.
“It is an honor to serve as Chair of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and to join colleagues to work on issues that are important to the communities we serve,” Rosario said. “I look forward to reciprocating the confidence placed in me by serving to the best of my abilities for all of our constituencies.”
The caucus was formed 40 years ago to promote minorities for public office and empower economic opportunity. As minority participation has grown in the legislature so too has the influence of the caucus.
Rosario has emerged as a political leader to watch in Bridgeport. The 128th State House District he represents covers the East Side and Hollow neighborhoods. He won the seat in 2014, defeating incumbent Christina Ayala and challenger Dennis Bradley in a primary on his way to a general election win. He was reelected two a two-year term in 2016. The seat had been occupied also by Andres Ayala with whom Rosario has a political alliance.
Bridgeport State Rep. Andre Baker was elected treasurer of the caucus.
Representatives Rosario and Baker should assist the State in seeing the priority issue is school operations funding that is more “fair and just” than is currently available.
While the BOE mission seems to keep its eyes on graduating 12th graders “college ready,” a simpler, more efficient, and equally fair and just system repair might be to require all students entering kindergarten to have a similar level of readiness based on quality pre-K. What that might do is help families understand the way spoken language at home is critical to later reading skills. It might also serve to develop age-appropriate social behavior among school children early including respect for adults and fellow students. Finally it might create more sense of success in learning rather than frustration at failing and later efforts at remediation. Funding per-pupil differences between major cities dates to past aptitudes for getting in on “funding programs” when they were new. When those trains left the station, if you didn’t get on the train like New Haven and Hartford did, you’re still waiting. Will Chris Rosario and Andre Baker be able to deliver this critical message? Time will tell.
This is much ado about nothing. Sorry people, no story here.