Connecticut Bill Proposes Statewide Three Kings Day School Holiday

This is probably the first time I have filed two Three Kings Day stories in a row, but a local story out of Connecticut caught my interest.

This past week, Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Rosario (D-Bridgeport) sent me an email about a proposed bill that would officially make Three Kings Day a statewide school holiday.

“This proposal honors the cultural and religious significance of this day for Hispanic and Latino students, reflecting our commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the traditions that shape our communities,” Rep. Rosario wrote. “I look forward to the session ahead to work on getting this bill over the finish line.”

The bill’s push made local Connecticut media.

According to current Census figures, 18.6% of the state’s population is Latino. Of that number, 46.3% are of Puerto Rican descent.

“Hispanic and Latino students comprise a majority of the student population in many school districts across the state. While several districts already observe this holiday, others, especially in rural and suburban areas, do not. This legislation will ensure that all students who celebrate Three Kings Day can observe it without missing important classroom time,” Rosario added in his email.

Friday Thoughts: Trump’s Puerto Rico Letter

We are still on break from our podcast as we try to raise more funding for Season 2, but I still want to keep sharing some Friday thoughts, and the Thursday letter President-elect Donald Trump wrote to Puerto Rico governor Jenniffer González Colón needs to be discussed a bit. In case you missed it, this is the letter González Colón shared on her social media profiles.

A few things to consider about the letter:

• The “resounding victory” Trump cites in paragraph 1? González Colón won the governorship with just 39% of the popular vote. That’s less than the majority. There is no mandate.

• Nowhere does the letter say “statehood for Puerto Rico.” González Colón is a pro-statehood governor.

• What does “foster fair trade practices” even mean? The end of the Jones Act?

• Is MAGA now MPRGA? On an island-colony where Kamala Harris won 73% of a symbolic U.S. presidential vote, it’s hard to conclude that Trump is popular there. He got just 26% of the vote. That is not a resounding victory.

Welcome to Macondo.

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What We’re Reading

Azul Featured by NBC Latino: I was thrilled to help out Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš and Azul get featured this week by NBC Latino. Marce is one of the original members of Latino Rebels in 2011, and she is also one amazing environmental policy leader.

Happy weekend. Or whatever day it is with the holiday season ending.

About the Author

Julio Ricardo Varela is the founder and publisher of The Latino Newsletter.

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