Updates from State Rep. Gary Turco for Jan. 30, 2026

January 30, 2026

We must put families—not tech profits—first.

Social media platforms are intentionally designed to keep users hooked, boosting corporate profits while taking a serious toll on mental health—especially for kids and teens. With young people spending hours a day on these platforms, and health experts warning of a growing youth mental health crisis, it’s clear that doing nothing is not an option. I believe technology should serve families, not exploit them.

That’s why I’ve been leading bipartisan efforts at the Capitol to protect children online while empowering parents. Legislation I helped advance would keep social media accessible, but curb addictive design features for minors, establish safer default settings, strengthen privacy protections, and give parents flexibility to decide what’s right for their families. We’re also taking a hard look at the emerging risks posed by AI chatbots and holding companies accountable when their products endanger young people.

I attended a press conference this week with Gov. Ned Lamont and Attorney General William Tong, who support legislation around this issue.

I remain committed to common-sense solutions that protect kids, respect parents, and put the public good ahead of corporate profit.

Please read more here, here, and here.

Advisory Councils

Also leading into the new session, I am hosting two advisory councils -- one for teachers, the other for healthcare workers in the district -- on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Lucy Robbins Welles Library. If you are a member of either professional group, I'd love to hear from you on that day to discuss important issues leading into the 2026 session.

Please see the flyers for more details.

RSVP for teachers, please click here.

RSVP for healthcare workers, please click here.

Cold Weather Protocol

The state's severe cold weather protocol has been extended to Thursday, Feb. 5. This is the longest, continuous severe weather cold weather protocol we've experienced in over a decade.

It's cold -- especially at night.

The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe cold, which could be life-threatening if exposed to the elements for extended periods of time.

While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to make sure that anyone in need can receive shelter from the outdoors, including transportation to shelters.

Anyone in need of shelter or a warming center is urged to visit 211ct.org or call 2-1-1 to find available locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary.

Major Issues Report

The Office of Legislative Research Report provides brief descriptions of important issues the General Assembly may face in the coming session. Please click here for more information.

Pre-Session Conversation in Newington

I always look forward to pre-session Town Halls, where residents of the 27th District share their most pressing concerns for me to tackle at the State Capitol.

The Newington pre-session Town Hall is scheduled for Feb. 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall.

I hope to see you there!

Pre-Session Survey

For those who can't make it to the Town Hall, please fill out my online legislative survey here to let me know what your concerns are ahead of the 2026 session.

Access Health CT Special Enrollment Period

Access Health CT will offer a Special Enrollment Period for eligible customers to enroll in health coverage with the new state subsidy, starting Feb. 1. The Special Enrollment Period end date will be determined.

The Special Enrollment Period is separate from the Open Enrollment Period, which ends Saturday.

People who qualify for this Special Enrollment Period include:

Households with an annual income between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), who are not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program. These people will receive a state subsidy to replace 100% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.
Households with an annual income over 400% and up to 500% FPL. These people will receive a state subsidy to replace 50% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.

Eligible people who have already enrolled or plan to enroll in a 2026 health plan will see a credit applied to their carrier bill.

It’s important to note that while customers will not see the state subsidy amount in AHCT’s online system until all updates have been made in the coming weeks, all eligible customers will soon receive a notice in the mail from AHCT with the amount of their state subsidy.

Insurance companies will send consumers updated premium bills with the credit for the state subsidy amount. This manual process will begin soon in advance of the system updates to be implemented in the coming weeks.

Free help to sign up is available online, in person, and over the phone.

Customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com and click the “Get Help” button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them—including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site or working with a Certified Broker in their area.

AHCT has expanded its Navigator program to include six locations around the state and introduced a new Mobile Enrollment Team that supports community events and assists with in-person enrollment, available in English and Spanish.

To get help over the phone, customers can call 855-805-4325 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Help is available in over 100 languages.

Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.

For free help online, customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com. They can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Animal Welfare Caucus

I attended 4-hour informational hearing of the Animal Welfare Caucus on Tuesday (which can be watched here) to highlight the need for strengthening laws around animal abuse, neglect and starvation. We also discussed a proposed moratorium on incoming pets of dogs, cats, and rabbits to support the overcrowded animal shelters and in-state nonprofits attempting to rehome and care for the strays and surrendered pets we have. As this report shows, there has been an increase in incidents of animal cruelty and abuse in Connecticut over the past five years, but enforcement or conviction of these crimes has lagged. (Please read more in this CT News Junkie article here.)

The Animal Advocacy Caucus is also committed to protecting the health and well-being of domestic and wildlife here in our beautiful state. We are also advocating to regulate use of harmful pesticides, rodenticides, neonicinoids, that harm the health of the ecosystem and wildlife habitat.

Volunteer of the Year

From the town of Newington website:

The Newington Town Council is seeking a volunteer of the year.

This individual(s) should be someone who has voluntarily dedicated time and/or resources for the benefit of others and to the community at large.

The Council fully recognizes that hundreds of citizens devote unlimited time in volunteer efforts, and the Council certainly appreciates those efforts and extends its appreciation to all who have made such commitments. In showing its appreciation, the Council would like to recognize the one individual (or individuals) who has extended himself/herself beyond what can reasonably be expected and has touched others in a way that their lives will be affected for many years to come.

If you know of a neighbor, fellow employee, friend or relative who may be that one individual the Council wishes to recognize, please submit that person’s name to the Council. Nomination forms are available at the Newington Senior and Disabled Center, Lucy Robbins Welles Library, through the Office of the Town Manager (860-665-8510), or click here,

All nominations must be received by the Office of the Town Manager by Jan. 31 for Town Council consideration.

St. Patrick's Day Parade Fundraiser

In gearing up for the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 7 in Hartford, the Newington parade committee is hosting its annual fundraiser Saturday, Jan. 31, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Newington Knights of Columbus, 131 Pascone Place. Please see the flyer for more details.