Mayor Bobby Sanchez Delivers First State-of-the-City Address
The following is the annual State-of-the-City address delivered by Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) at the March 11, 2026 City Council meeting: Good evening. I want to begin by thanking the members of the Common Council, our state legislative delegation, city employees, community leaders, and the residents of New Britain who make this city such a […]
Reader: The last guardrail is gone—and the Iran war shows why that’s dangerous
By Joseph Wasserman, As the war involving Iran continues to widen, it’s clearer more than ever that the world has entered a new nuclear era. Yet at the very moment when we need guardrails the most, the last remaining US–Russia arms‑control treaty—New START—has expired. For the first time in decades, there are zero binding limits […]
Reader: Urge State Legislators to Support Climate Change Superfund Legislation
By Joe Wasserman If you agree that our future is threatened by catastrophic climate change urge your State Representative and State Senator to advocate for HB 5156, An Act Concerning a Climate Change Superfund. The oil company profits have been massive and it is the oil companies that should pay for the enormous damages created […]
Take It From a Hundred Year Old: Vote If You Don’t Want a Tyrant King
By Ida Cohen The United States uniquely defied thousands of years of governments led by kings, by creating a country of laws. The cry of the times, “No taxation without representation!” The people’s will would be reflected by their votes. No kings for us! How ironic, “All men are created equal…” when the fathers of […]
Reader: Doomsday is Not Inevitable – We Can Change Course
By Joseph Wasserman On January 27th the doomsday clock was set to 85 second before midnight. As we see confrontations between nuclear armed nations escalate, we can act by calling on our Senators, Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, to cosponsor S Res 323. S Res 323 calls for putting a halt and reversing the nuclear […]
New Britain Racial Justice Coalition Affirms Correction Ombuds’ Findings
By the the New Britain Racial Justice Coalition The New Britain Racial Justice Coalition (NBRJC) affirms the findings of the Connecticut Correction Ombuds’ 2025 Conditions of Confinement Report and names the central truth it reveals: mass incarceration itself is the crisis. The documented conditions—black mold, rodent infestations, sewage backups, extreme heat, spoiled food, prolonged lockdowns, […]
Reader: Doomsday Clock is a Call to Action
By Joseph Wasserman On January 27th there will be a resetting of the doomsday clock,by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. We are currently at 89 seconds before midnight with the nuclear weapon powers having nuclear missiles pointed at each on hair trigger alert .It is now at the closest it has ever been to the […]
Happy New Year from the New Britain Progressive
Happy New Year from the New Britain Progressive. Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2026!
Top Stories of 2025
As we get ready to start 2026, the New Britain Progressive looks back at some of the important stories the New Britain Progressive covered in 2025. Many of these stories span multiple articles covered in the New Britain Progressive, so many of the larger stories are represented by one article, here. With that, here are […]
Happy Holidays from the New Britain Progressive
Merry Christmas from the New Britain Progressive! May the blessings of peace and goodwill be with you as you celebrate with family, loved ones and friends.
Mayor Bobby Sanchez’s Inaugural Address
Editor’s note: The following is the Inaugural Address delivered by New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) on November 12, 2025 at New Britain High School. The cover photo is by Dr Frank Gerratana. Good afternoon, New Britain. Standing here today, being sworn in as the 41st Mayor of our great city, is one of the […]
CCSU’s Dancentral Presenting “Perspectives” Student Choreography Showcase
The Central Connecticut State University student dance company, Dancentral, is presenting its “Perspectives” showcase in November. CCSU says that, “‘Perspectives’ is a showcase of original student choreographed works created this fall semester under the mentorship of Dancentral director Erica Nelson, and other Dance faculty members and alumni.” “This showcase represents months of hard work, collaboration, […]
New Britain Legislators and Local Elected Officials to Host Community Meeting
Members of the New Britain legislative delegation and local leaders are planning to host a community meeting, “to discuss new state laws that took effect on October 1st, 2025, and what they mean for New Britain residents.” The meeting is to be hosted by Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26), Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25), the Council Majority […]
Reader Expresses Thanks to Rep Bobby Sanchez
Editor’s Note: The cover photo is a file photo by Dr Frank Gerratana and shows Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25) and State Treasurer Erick Russell (D). Heartfelt Thanks to Representative Bobby Sanchez, We want to extend our sincere gratitude to Representative Bobby Sanchez and the New Britain Legislative Delegation for standing with the residents. Your recent […]
Reader Says: Vote for Ald Candyce Scott
By Michele Stewart-Copes, MS, MSW I am voicing my strong support for Candyce Scott for Alderwoman. Over the years I have experienced her steadfast advocacy for youth and the disenfranchised citizens in our city. As a NAACP member she led the NAACP Youth Group and worked hard to raise funds for transportation at New Britain […]
Reader: Bail Agents Share How They Changed the Way Bail is Processed to Help Clients
Opinion by Ava Alers, What do you do if, for some reason, a loved one gets arrested, and you are away on vacation? What if the unthinkable happens while you are home alone with the kids, and your significant other is arrested? Not too long ago, families had to drive to the police station to […]
Justice for Katherine Colon: Reinsch Now Works for Middletown PD
Opinion by Justice for Katherine Colon Today, due to a tip sent to us by a member of our community, we discovered a post from Mayor Erin Stewart’s personal, private facebook account, alleging that Killer Cop Connor Reinsch no longer works for the City of New Britain. We were able to independently confirm that he […]
US Rep Himes Comes to New Britain to Support Bobby Sanchez for Mayor
Photojournalism by Dr Frank Gerratana. US Rep Jim Himes (D-4) visited New Britain on Saturday to support the election of Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25) as Mayor of New Britain. Editor’s note (9/20/2025): Rep Himes’ district number was corrected.
State Legislators to Host National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Members of New Britain’s state legislative delegation are to host a National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. The event, “Celebration Collective Heritage – Past Present & Future”, is to be hosted by Sen Rick Lopes (D-6), Rep Bobby Sanchez (D-25), Rep Manny Sanchez (D-24), Rep David DeFronzo (D-26) and Rep Gary Turco (D-27). The event is […]