Jason Doucette

The House came back into session last week, where we will meet for the next three months to pass legislation to better our state. It was wonderful to see my colleagues and begin the work on behalf of our communities.

It's easier than ever to follow along and get involved. There are several resources you can utilize that will help you stay updated on the legislative process as it unfolds in Hartford.

Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:  

• The Office of Legislative Research (OLR) provides nonpartisan and unbiased research to members of the General Assembly and its staff. Part of OLR's duties include writing bill analyses, which are summaries of bills in plain language. 
• You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website. 
• Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, press conferences, as well as House and Senate floor debates. 
• Click here to register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change. 
• Click here for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.

Together, we can ensure all voices are heard. 

It was great to join community leaders from across the state recently to advocate for the critical funding needed to support our most vulnerable residents. As Chair of the legislature's Tax Equity Caucus, I am proud to lead a broad group of legislators from all over the state who believe that we need reforms to our State's tax code and more fairness for working and middle class taxpayers.

We are already facing an affordability crisis in part due to legislation coming from the federal government, and our upside-down tax system which disproportionately hurts working and middle class families certainly doesn't help. I was proud to stand with these folks and call for a change.

The Banking Committee convened for its first meeting of the 2026 session this week. Despite the short time frame for this session, we have a substantial agenda and will have a busy next few weeks as we conduct public hearings. You can see our agenda here.

Black History Month is a time to rejoice, reflect, and remember that Black history is American history.  

In Connecticut, we have a rich history of Black Americans shaping our communities. I encourage you to explore the following resources to learn more about Black History in Connecticut, and to attend local events taking place over the next month:

The State of Connecticut published a piece about why we celebrate Black History Month, resources to learn more about this history, and events.

The Connecticut Tourism Office detailed the various landmarks and museums you can visit to explore Black History in Connecticut, along with events throughout the month.

Black History is something to be celebrated by all Connecticut residents, and I hope you'll look through these wonderful resources.

First order of business this session: We voted to extend the state’s Emergency Response Fund that shields Connecticut from federal funding cuts and protects vital health and human services for our communities. Amid chaos and uncertainty, this fund will be available through the end of the next fiscal year to quickly respond to additional federal funding reductions.

For example, Governor Lamont recently submitted an $18.7 million plan that will be used for:

• $2 million to expand the reach of community health workers, who will play a critical role in helping residents understand and navigate changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility under Public Law 119-21 (commonly known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”). These workers will provide personalized assistance to help ensure individuals and families remain connected to the benefits they need through June 30, 2027.
• $11.4 million to support system upgrades at the Department of Social Services, ensuring the state can successfully implement the eligibility changes required by Public Law 119-21.
• $830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors provided by EdAdvance to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut through June 30, 2027.
• Over $4.5 million to replace funding for Community School grants for Clifford Beers in New Haven, Waterbury Bridges to Success, and Hartford Public Schools which provide critical wraparound services, including healthcare and childcare, to children and families in these communities through June 30, 2027.

Heart disease is often preventable, but remains the top killer in the U.S.  Here are some simple ways to promote heart health today:

• Get CPR Certified

• Exercise Regularly & Manage your Stress

• Keep Track of your cholesterol

• Know your numbers! Learn how to self-measure your own blood pressure

• Are Connecticut residents and meet program residency requirements
• Made qualifying student loan payments during the 2025 calendar year
• Earned a degree from a Connecticut institution of higher education or completed a state-approved program required for professional licensure or certification
• Meet income limits of $125,000 for single filers or $175,000 for married filers
• Completed required community service or qualify for a hardship waiver in certain circumstances

Eversource is offering residents an opportunity to save on their energy bill and improve their home with a Home Energy Solutions visit. During the in-home appointment, a certified contractor will evaluate your home's energy performance, install energy-saving upgrades on the spot, and recommend additional improvements to help you save even more over time.

Eversource will waive the assessment copay if you meet income eligibility requirements and schedule your in-home visit by March 31 and it's completed by April 30. See if you qualify.

Your Home Energy Solutions visit may include:

• Up to $850 in energy-saving products and services, such as air sealing and water-saving devices
• Custom energy-saving recommendations tailored to your home
• Rebates and incentives, including up to 75% off insulation upgrades

Taking advantage of this program is an easy way to reduce monthly costs while making your home more comfortable and energy efficient. I encourage residents to explore this opportunity and see how much they can save.