Start of the Legislative Session

February 11, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are having a great week.

Please read below for updates in our community!

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The 2026 legislative session is now underway! I am glad to be back in Hartford and look forward to working with my colleagues on meaningful legislation.

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.

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Happy Black History Month! This 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.

In honor of Black History Month, the Hamden Veterans Commission created a Tuskegee Airmen display. It’s a thoughtful tribute to the men who broke barriers, served our country with honor, and changed history in the process. If you have a moment, I'd encourage you to check it out! It is being displayed in the Government Center.

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I have attended several events over the last few weeks.

Last month, I attended the 3rd Annual Moving Beyond Implications Conference. This event was created by Rep. Jaime Foster to help bridge the gap between academics, researchers, and legislators.

I also attended the League of Women Voters of Hamden-North Haven legislative breakfast.

Finally, I joined the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH), members of the End Homelessness Caucus, and other legislators and advocates for a press conference to announce the CT CAN End Homelessness 2026 Legislative Agenda.

Click here to listen to my remarks.

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Please join the Town of Hamden for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) public meeting on February 18 from 6pm to 8pm at the African American Society on Manila Ave in Hamden.

Click here to learn more about the proposed project.

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The 2026 Summer Youth Works Employment applications are now available! This year we will not accept walk-in interviews so sign-up for your interview before the spots run out! Check out their website for more information.

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The Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program has opened a new grant round and is now accepting applications for student loan payments that were made during the 2025 calendar year! Please visit the Connecticut Office of Higher Education website to check if you are eligible and to access the application.

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The CT Coalition for Climate Action is now accepting applications for the third annual Climate Change Student Poster Contest!

The contest was created to celebrate Connecticut for being one of the first states in the nation to include Climate Change Studies as part of its science curriculum in public schools. Students in grades 5-12 are invited to create and submit a poster that highlights the importance of protecting the environment, and what we can do to reduce climate change.

Students and finalists are invited to the judging at the Capitol on Earth Day, April 22nd between 12–2:30pm. Semi-Finalists will be displayed at the state Capitol and the top three individual winners of the Grades 5–12 category will receive scholarships of $1000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place.

In addition to individual student entries, there will also be a K–4 Classroom Poster Category, with one poster submission per class. The winning classroom will receive a $100 Staples® gift card along with a visit from either Leah Lopez of Save the Sound or Save the Sound’s Soundkeeper, Bill Lucy.

Final poster design and registration form should be emailed as a PDF to CTClimateActionCoalition@gmail.com no later than April 1 at 5pm.

Click here to learn more.

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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 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 runsthrough March 18th. You can find additional information on Ignite here. 

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 targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs through February 28th. 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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Upcoming Events

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ICYMI

The Hamden delegation will hold a town hall on Saturday, February 21 at Thornton Wilder Hall. We will be available to answer your questions, hear your concerns, and share updates about the 2026 legislative session. The event will run from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM. Hope to see you there!

If you are looking for a career in manufacturing, I'd encourage you to apply for Skill Up for Manufacturing 2026.

Participants in this program will learn fundamentals in as little as 5 weeks, connect with employers, and start earning competitive wages. The class offers free training, hands-on experience, and industry-recognized credentials.

There are two upcoming sessions: