Grant frees up local tax dollars
Our Democratic State Representatives Hector Arzeno and Stephen Meskers this week announced a major funding win for the long-awaited renovation of Old Greenwich School, as reported in the Greenwich Free Press.
The Old Greenwich School renovation is a multi-phase project running through January 2029, and construction is underway. The legislators successfully secured an additional 15% reimbursement rate tied to the inclusion of pre-K classrooms in the project—unlocking more than $8 million in additional state funding.
Costly loophole closed
Initially, the funding had been out of reach because of a technicality in the state’s 2025 school construction bill, for which Old Greenwich School narrowly missed qualifying. Recognizing the financial impact, Arzeno and Meskers introduced and passed an amendment to allow greater flexibility to the funding—bringing the project back into eligibility.
Prioritizing education
The Old Greenwich School funding win is happening against the backdrop of a revised state budget. Reporting from Connecticut Mirror shows the plan, passed by the state Senate and House on a bipartisan basis last weekend, includes roughly $280 million in new aid to municipalities, with about $180 million in ongoing education funding and another $100 million in one-time support for other local needs. Greenwich’s Representative Tina Courpas and State Senator Ryan Fazio were among only 27 Republicans who voted againstadditional funding for their constituents.
For Greenwich, the key detail isn’t just the size of the funding—it’s the flexibility. Now, municipalities are allowed to revisit already-approved budgets and decide how to use the additional aid, including the option to offset property taxes or redirect funds to other priorities.
Representatives Hector Arzeno and Steve Meskers working for constituents.
Lower taxes, improved school
For Greenwich taxpayers, the additional $8 million reimbursement brought about by Arzeno and Meskers meaningfully reduces the local share of this major capital project. And for Old Greenwich families, it supports progress toward a modernized school designed to support early learning and long-term student success. Thank you, Representatives Arzeno and Meskers.
The ‘no’ delegation: Courpas and Fazio vote against you
Connecticut is moving forward. Our local Republican representatives are stuck in the past.
This session, the Democratic majority passed landmark legislation to protect public health, expand voting access, and bolster the middle class. But State Representative Tina Courpas and State Senator Ryan Fazio repeatedly voted “no,” ignoring the needs of their constituents and neighbors.
The contrast is starkest in the $28.1 billion state budget, which passed overwhelmingly, 157–27, with support from more than half of Republican legislators. While the Trump administration has made deep cuts to healthcare and food assistance to American families in order to deliver tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy, Connecticut chose a different path by delivering increased aid to towns–– including $272,000 for Greenwich –– and investing up to $350 million in affordable childcare. Courpas and Fazio were among the few holdouts who voted “no.”
Voting against the right to vote
Fazio and Courpas also voted against expanding voting access. After a large majority of Connecticut voters approved no-excuse absentee voting in a 2024 referendum, the legislature acted. Yet Fazio and Courpas voted “no” against enacting what the people of Connecticut approved, a measure that ensures people don’t have to choose between work, caregiving, and participating in democracy, signaling they would rather adhere to a playbook of voter suppression than listen to their own voters.
Even more troubling was Fazio and Courpas’ votes against a bill, now law, that authorizes the state to maintain its own vaccination requirements and procurement, independent of federal recommendations. At a time when federal agencies are moving away from decades of proven public health policy that has protected children and communities from deadly diseases like measles, this law strengthens local control over health policy.
Opposition to common-sense protections
These are not isolated votes. Fazio and Courpas also opposed banning devices that convert handguns into machine guns and commonsense safety checks for homeschooled children.
Time and again, when faced with opportunities to strengthen public health, expand freedom, and support Connecticut families, Courpas and Fazio have chosen instead to tell those families, “No!”
What we’re reading
Connecticut will debut a “Pizza State” license plate that bears the image of a pepperoni slice. Cost is $65 and will help to feed the state’s hungry. Will you bite?
Action Calendar
May 14. Speak.
May 15. Drop in.
Join Greenwich Selectwoman Rachel Khanna for coffee and conversation. Hear about what’s happening in town and bring your questions or comments. 1-2 p.m., Coffee for Good, 48 Maple Avenue.
May 17. Play.
Join us for Popsicles in the Playground. Bring the whole family, enjoy a popsicle, and share a chance to meet other families, make new friends, and chat about what’s happening around town in a welcoming, easygoing setting. All are welcome—especially those new to Greenwich! Meet at 1:30 p.m. at the Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center playground, 449 Pemberwick Road. Questions? Contact us.
May 20. Learn.
The League of Women Voters hosts tax assessor Lauren Elliott and BET chair David Weisbrod for a conversation about the town’s recent revaluations, with new property values to be reflected on tax bills as of July 1. 11 a.m., Zoom only. Register here.
May 20. Gather.
Greenwich Democrats monthly meeting. Open to all Democrats in town. 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Town Hall Meeting Room.
| Volume 4, Number 45 • May 7, 2026 |
| Paid for by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. |
| Greenwich Democratic Town Committee P.O. Box 126 Greenwich, CT 06836 |