Jason Doucette

Other key aspects of this bill include:

• Providing curriculum on Islamic and Arab Studies
• Raising the standard for when a student in pre-K to grade 2 can get an out-of-school suspension
• Requiring same-day notification of any use of restraint or seclusion of a student.

The legislation we passed is an important bill that encourages civic engagement and protects our students' mental health.

We also passed legislation to strengthen and modernize Connecticut’s election laws. These reforms take important steps to protect the integrity, security, and transparency of our democratic process by:

• Safeguarding private voter data
• Requiring that ballots cast during early voting be securely stored in a voting tabulator
• Preventing individuals convicted of election-related crimes from serving as elections moderators

These updates reflect a balanced approach: expanding access to the ballot while maintaining strong safeguards to protect public trust.

It was great to be joined by advocates and members of the Tax Equity Caucus last week for a press conference on our legislative priorities. The focus of our bills is to reform the regressive nature of Connecticut's tax system that disproportionately impacts working families, while also increasing our opportunity as a state to fund vital programs that invest in our communities and our residents. 

The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program is open now through Tuesday, March 10. This program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses. 
 
Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.
 
All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% State Median Income (SMI) gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill. For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant. This is the last GPCT Energy Assistance Application Cycle this season.

To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, go to: gpct.org/gethelp/

With the tax deadline approaching on Wednesday, April 15, now is the time to take action if you haven’t filed yet. There are several free resources available this year for anyone who needs to file state and federal taxes.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help for low-to moderate-income (under $58,000) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Volunteers, sponsored by various organizations, receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Visit Connecticut's 2-1-1 website and the Free Tax Help page for VITA assistance updates, or visit the IRS Site Locator. 

AARP's Tax-Aide Program, a partnership between the AARP Foundation and the Internal Revenue Service, provides free tax counseling and preparation services to middle-and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to people age 60 and older. Many sites will e-file your federal and Connecticut returns at no cost to you. Visit the AARP Tax-Aide Site Locator to find a location near you. 

The UConn Law School Tax Clinic is a pro bono (free) legal clinic that provides free legal help to low-income taxpayers with tax problems, either with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Lisa Perkins, Clinical Professor & Director, and law students will work on your case. The Tax Clinic also works with attorneys in Connecticut who volunteer to help low-income taxpayers pro bono. The Tax Clinic is independent and separate from the IRS and DRS. It is important to note, that the UCONN tax clinic is only able to assist individual taxpayers with Connecticut income tax problems. Contact Lisa Perkins at lisa.perkins@uconn.edu or 860-570-5165

Important changes to Connecticut law took effect last week regarding how the state will issue SNAP benefits. 

Under the new legislation, Connecticut will begin staggering the distribution of SNAP benefits throughout the first eight days of the month, rather than loading them primarily the first few days. This change is designed to:

• reduce congestion at grocery stores and retailers
• improve access to food
• create a smoother, more dignified experience for SNAP recipients

You’ll find additional details about how the new schedule works in the graphic below. For more information, please click here.

A record number of people enrolled in health and dental plans through Access Health CT for the third consecutive year. More than 157,000 residents signed up for coverage during open enrollment, which ran from November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026, marking a 4% increase over last year.

Enrollment in dental coverage also reached a new high. Access Health CT now provides dental insurance to more than 19,000 people, representing a 9% increase compared to 2025.

This Open Enrollment Period occurred amid several changes at both the state and federal levels. Despite those shifts, Connecticut achieved record-breaking enrollment, thanks in large part to expanded outreach and education efforts that helped connect more residents with the coverage they need.

The results underscore Connecticut's continued commitment to expanding access to affordable, quality health care for individuals and a families across the state.

Connecticut is making $1.55 million of state funding available to support the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Purchase and Assistance Grant. The program aims to increase access to locally grown farm products for distribution to food-insecure populations, while also supporting the operations of Connecticut farmers and the state’s overall agricultural economy.

A reminder that you can still apply for the next round of the Women’s Business Development Council's Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs.

The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million. The application period for Ignite grants runs from August 5 through September 16, 2025. You can find additional information on Ignite here.   

A reminder that the Chime Scholars Foundation (CSF) has opened applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. Aspiring scholars can apply for scholarships of up to $20,000 to support their education, paving the way for greater career opportunities and higher earnings. The scholarship program is open to students of all backgrounds and stages of life, and it supports a wide range of educational pathways, including traditional college degrees, apprenticeships, trade schools, and technical certifications.

Since 2022, CSF has provided $7 million in scholarship funding to over 1,000 students nationwide. Just last year, CSF awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to 800 students for the 2025-2026 academic year. CSF helps unlock educational opportunities for students across communities. 

Applications for the CSF scholarship program are open through March 31. For more information and to apply, visit the Chime Scholars Foundation website.

Access Health CT is committed to reducing health disparities across Connecticut. To support this mission, a free Broker Academy training program is being offered to empower community members and organizations to drive positive change. Participants will receive comprehensive training, have their exam fees covered, and be paired with a mentor, ensuring support at every step of the journey.

Minimum requirements to apply:

• 18 years or older
• High school diploma or GED
• 1-3 recommendation letters Community service experience
• Preference will be given to applicants who reside or work in underserved areas

Click here for more information and to sign up for notifications.

For questions, email AHCT.BrokerAcademy@ct.gov

Click here to sign up for a virtual Broker Academy Info Session, multiple dates available.

What better way to celebrate 250 years of America than with the all-new Connecticut Art Trail Passport? For just $35, enjoy a full year of exploration at 30 world-class museums and historic sites across the state.

This year’s Passport features a Special Edition America 250 cover commemorating our nation’s semiquincentennial. Two outstanding new members have joined the Trail: Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center and Onera Foundation.

From cutting-edge contemporary galleries to storied historic homes, there’s something for everyone. It’s the perfect excuse to grab a friend, shake off the winter blues, and rediscover the remarkable treasures right in your own backyard.

Click here to learn more and purchase your 2026 Passport online for an instant voucher, or pick one up at any participating member museums.

The Connecticut Poetry Society is presenting the 2026 Lynn DeCaro Poetry Contest. The contest, made possible by the generous support of the Betty and Al DeCaro Family, was set up in memory of Lynn DeCaro, a promising young member of the Connecticut Poetry Society who died of leukemia in 1986.  

The contest is statewide, free, and open to all students in grades 9-12. Enter up to three unpublished poems, no more than 40 lines for each poem.

Click here to enter. The deadline to submit is March 15 by 6pm.

A program called Connecticut History Day is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to serve as judges at one of its five Regional Contests. Judges play a crucial role in encouraging students as they share their historical research and creative work. Click here to learn more and sign up to judge at a regional contest.

Judges have the opportunity to meet students, evaluate and rank projects, and provide meaningful, constructive feedback to every participant. No prior judging experience is necessary, judges receive pre-contest training and clear materials to review in advance.

Contest day judging runs from 8:00 a.m. until the early afternoon with coffee, snacks, and lunch provided. Website and paper judges meet with students on contest day, but they review projects in the week prior to the event. Documentary, performance, and exhibit judges both view the project and meet with the students at the contest.