Anne Hughes

Some good news!

This week, our state’s utility regulator — the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) — voted unanimously to block the proposed sale of Aquarion Water, which currently serves nearly 700,000 residents in 57 communities, including those in the 135th District.

I testified against the sale, stating it would result in the lack of PURA oversight and that it will negatively impact customer rates and quality. I was also troubled by the legislative history of the Enabling Legislation, as it “was advanced without meaningful public input, passed during a special legislative session, and hidden in an omnibus bill."

PURA ultimately agreed that the proposed sale would remove it from public regulatory oversight and likely lead to substantial water rate increases for families.

Indeed, the sale could have resulted in annual rate hikes as high as 6.5 to 8.35 percent from 2027 through 2035, with additional increases expected thereafter. 

I will continue advocating for reliable infrastructure, responsible utility governance that creates accountability to ratepayers and the water stewards, especially our towns of Easton, Weston, Redding, as well as fair, stable rates for all Connecticut families. Please reach out with any questions or concerns — your voices remain essential in guiding our state’s decisions.

In the midst of the firestorm in D.C. over uncovering the involvement and complicity of many, many powerful leaders in widespread sex trafficking, exploitation and rape of vulnerable people and children, I am very disturbed about the situation in Connecticut’s own prisons.

Investigative reporting showed that an incarcerated woman who is filing a civil claim over her sexual assault by two correction officers at York Correctional Institution, Connecticut’s only prison for incarcerated women, was framed in both depositions and emails by the Attorney General’s office as somehow responsible for her own sexual assault by Corrections Officers. (Articles here, here, and here.)

I led the immediate call by legislators for accountability from the atrocious victim-blaming by the assistant attorney general’s office, and for accountability by the Department of Corrections about potential systemic sexual abuse and retaliation of inmates who dare to report these assaults.

We also called on the Connecticut Corrections Ombudsman to address additional training and policy review reforms, as well as justice for inmates who are abused by corrections staff.

With heightened call for accountability and justice in Congress for survivors, we demand ‘Cleanup on Aisle 1,2, and 3!’ here in Connecticut.

I was one of 106 Northeast signatories to a letter sent to the federal government concerning recent actions that threaten our region's farmers, food systems and the communities that depend on them.

First, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a restructuring that would pull resources out of the Northeast. Key research, conservation, nutrition, and forest service offices would be consolidated or eliminated, with the closest major USDA office moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. This would leave our farmers—with their unique soils, climate, and challenges—without the local expertise and support they rely on. We are urging Congress to oppose any restructuring that withdraws critical services from our region.

Second, increased immigration enforcement is destabilizing our agricultural workforce. Immigrants make up a majority of the workers who harvest crops, process food, and keep our agricultural supply chain moving. Aggressive enforcement actions at farms, fisheries, and food businesses jeopardize rural economies and threaten increased food prices for consumers. We are calling for humane, responsible enforcement that protects both our communities and our food supply.

Third, the sudden elimination of programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program and Local Food for Schools is already harming farmers, students, and seniors. These programs brought fresh, local foods into schools, senior centers, and food banks while supporting family farms.

Finally, canceling previously awarded Climate Smart Commodities grants has halted conservation and soil-health projects benefiting 14,000 farms.

We are urging Congress to reverse these actions. Protecting our farmers means protecting our region’s food security, economy, and way of life.

Gov. Ned Lamont signed HB 8004, which the legislature passed during last week's special session, into law.

Among the provisions in the bill is a focus on childhood behavioral health. 

Highlights include:

• Statewide study to assess the demand for children’s behavioral health services and improve data collection
• New grant program to support care coordination and resource navigation for kids and families
• Insurance companies must now cover autism treatments, including applied behavior analysis and cognitive behavioral therapy, up to age 26
• Adding substance abuse treatment providers for children to Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (TCB)  

Together, these measures represent a stronger, more coordinated system of care for Connecticut’s children.

From the town of Easton:

The Easton Garden Club’s 2025 Holiday Edition of the Easton Farm Map, celebrating Easton’s  Agricultural history and Easton as the Christmas Tree Capital of CT, is ready for download: https://www.eastongardenclubofct.org/easton-farm-map-holiday-edition. Each year, the Easton Garden Club supports our Easton Tree Farms & Stands and those Farms creating Holiday Cheer by publishing a Holiday version of our Easton Farm Map. The Map highlights the location of Christmas Tree Farms & Stands, Farms, Restaurants, and Markets open during the Holiday season. As always, check before you go! Hours of operation and openings may vary.  

Easton was officially awarded the title Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut (CTCC) in 2021. In 2025, the Easton Agricultural Commission took over the campaign and will keep up the tradition of partnering with the Easton Garden Club by providing the names of the farms to be featured on the Holiday Edition of the Easton Farm Map. Please contact The Easton Garden Club to learn more about the Easton Farm Map and the Ag Commission julie.eastonag@gmail.com to learn about our Easton Farms and more about Easton - The Christmas Tree Capital of CT.