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August Primary Reminder
A reminder that primary elections will take place on Tuesday, August 11, in municipalities where more than one candidate from the same political party has qualified for a particular office.
The primary will be preceded by seven days of early voting, now through August 9. Early voting hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for August 8 and 9.
In Connecticut, only registered members of a political party may vote in that party's primary. Voters who wish to participate in a different party's primary must first update their party affiliation. Under Connecticut law, voters who change their party affiliation must wait three months before they are eligible to vote in their new party's primary.
For additional election information and resources, click here to visit the Secretary of the State's election webpage.
If you plan to vote by absentee ballot, you no longer need to provide a specific reason to request one for any primary or election. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Monday, August 10.
Click here to access the absentee ballot request portal.
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Connecticut has a semi-closed primary system. Unaffiliated voters who wish to vote in a primary must enroll in a political party by 12:00 p.m. on the day before the primary (August 10), provided they have been unaffiliated for at least three months.
Updating your party affiliation is one of the many changes voters can conveniently do online at https://ow.ly/Vmcn50Z38Qr. |
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Town Hall Recap
Thank you to everyone who joined myself, State Representative Aundré Bumgardner & State Representative Dan Gaiewski, for our Joint New London & Groton Town Hall at New London City Hall.
It was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from residents, answer questions, and discuss the issues that matter most to our communities. We talked about this year's legislative session, including investments in our schools, public transportation, housing, public safety, economic development, and other priorities that impact southeastern Connecticut.
Conversations like these help ensure your voice is heard and your concerns are part of the work we do at the State Capitol. While there is still more to accomplish, we remain committed to working together across our region to build stronger communities and improve the quality of life for everyone we represent.
Thank you again to everyone who attended, shared ideas, asked thoughtful questions, and continues to stay engaged. Your participation makes a difference.
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One-Time Benefit for SNAP Recipients
A new one-time grocery benefit of $300 each is being distributed to low-income Connecticut residents who have been pushed out of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to federal changes.
The grocery benefits, through a partnership the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) arranged with Connecticut’s network of community action agencies and with support provided by the Connecticut Association for Community Action (CAFCA), will be distributed as prepaid virtual grocery cards—not loaded onto existing EBT cards.
Eligible residents should already be able to access these benefits. For more details, please visit the Department of Social Services website here.
While this one-time benefit will not fully blunt the impact of the federal changes, it will provide immediate relief for those who are in need.
Please read below for more information on this benefit.
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Who qualifies for the grocery benefit?
Any individual in a household who lost SNAP eligibility due to the new federal changes—commonly referred to as ABAWD, or Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents requirements—since December 1, 2025, and who is no longer receiving SNAP, qualifies for the benefit. The benefit is available per individual, not per household, and the amount is the same for every eligible recipient.
Connecticut residents who received a DSS notice stating they do not meet the ABAWD requirements and who are identified in that notice as having reached their three-month SNAP benefit limit should reach out to their local community action agency about how to request the benefit. Eligibility will be confirmed at the time of request.
Losing SNAP eligibility due to ABAWD does not necessarily mean an entire household loses benefits—other household members may still be eligible.
Receiving the $300 grocery benefit will not affect a resident’s eligibility for any other assistance program.
How the grocery benefit works
The grocery benefit functions like a prepaid Mastercard or Visa and can be used at any food retailer that accepts standard credit cards. It does not expire, and any unused balance remains on the card until spent. The benefit is intended for SNAP-eligible food purchases.
Community action agencies will lead outreach, verify eligibility, distribute the cards, and connect individuals with wraparound supports to help them work toward regaining SNAP eligibility. The state and its administrative partners are also establishing processes to prevent duplicate payments.
In Connecticut, we will continue to push back against the federal administration’s relentless attacks on the most vulnerable among us.
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Women's Business Development Council Grants
The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) announced the next round of Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs.The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses in Connecticut grow, offering grants of up to $10,000 for a clearly-defined project that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth, and profitability. The application period for Ignite grants runs from Aug. 5 through Sept. 13, 2026. You can find additional information on Ignite here.
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The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program offers grants that cover critical start-up costs, expand operations, and increase capacity to serve more families. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs from Aug. 3 through Aug. 31, 2026. You can find more information on the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants here.
Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here. |
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Minimum Wage Increase
Connecticut’s minimum wage will adjust to $17.48 per hour beginning January 1, 2027—an increase from the 2026 rate of $16.94 per hour.
The change is required under a state law Governor Lamont enacted in 2019 requiring the minimum wage to receive annual adjustments at the start of every calendar year based on economic indicators from the prior fiscal year. This law ensures that as the economy grows, the minimum wage grows with it.
According to the Current Population Survey as calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 60% of minimum wage earners in Connecticut are women and people of color.
Continuing forward under this law, Connecticut workers and employers can anticipate that announcements declaring the adjustment in the minimum wage that will become effective on January 1 of the approaching year will be made during the second half of each calendar year.
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CHESLA Graduate Loan Program
The Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) has officially launched the MyCHESLA Grad Loan program. The MyCHESLA Grad Loan is a new state-based graduate loan program designed to preserve access to affordable, fixed-rate financing for Connecticut students pursuing advanced degrees following the elimination of the federal Grad PLUS loan program, effective July 1. CHESLA’s new graduate loan program supports students enrolled in both graduate and professional degree programs. Borrowers can choose from repayment terms of 5, 10, or 15 years, along with flexible in-school repayment options, including interest-only payments, full deferment, or immediate principal-and-interest payments. Combined, these options provide borrowers with nine fixed-rate offerings tailored to meet a range of financial needs. Importantly, all approved borrowers have equal access to the same nine fixed rates, ensuring a transparent, fair, and consistent pricing structure. Fixed interest rates for the MyCHESLA Grad Loan range from 5.50% to 7.99%, depending on the selected repayment term and in-school repayment option. The program offers a cost-effective, borrower-focused alternative to higher-cost private student loans, with every available fixed rate remaining below the current federal Grad PLUS loan rate of 8.94%. Click here to learn more about CHESLA’s loan programs, financial education resources, and application process.
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Covenant Shelter of New London Volunteering
Below is a message from the Covenant Shelter of New London:
Got some free time? Looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community?
Covenant Shelter of New London is looking for dedicated volunteers to help make a difference in the lives of our guests.
We're currently seeking volunteers for:
- Handyman projects
- Administrative and office support
- Kitchen and meal preparation
- And many other opportunities!
Whether you can give a few hours a month or more, your time and talents can have a lasting impact on individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Interested in joining our volunteer team? We'd love to hear from you! Email John at jlehet@mathmaverick.com to learn more about current opportunities and how you can get involved.
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Upcoming Community Events
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If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at my Capitol office at 860-240-8512 or email me at Anthony.Nolan@cga.ct.gov. Don't forget to "Like" my official Facebook page and follow me on Twitter for news and legislative updates.
Sincerely,
Anthony Nolan
State Representative |
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