Meet Me In Person, New Laws, and Access Health Enrollment Deadline

January 8, 2026

I am wishing everyone a joyful, healthy, and prosperous 2026. As we welcome the new year, let’s celebrate the strength, resilience, and spirit of our community. May 2026 bring hope, opportunity, and continued growth, and may we work together to make Derby, Hamden, Orange, and Woodbridge even better places to live, work, and raise our children.

I invite you to join me for a conversation over coffee as I host community office hours next week. Please keep scrolling for a time and location.

The state extended its deadline to enroll in a health and dental plan with Access Health CT. I'll let you know how much time you have to register to get coverage starting next month.

Two local students kickstarted a global, sustainable art movement. I will break down how these teens are protecting our environment while supporting underserved communities.

Here are the sections and topics in this week's email:

  • Military Action in Venezuela & Deadly ICE Shooting
  • Meet Me In Person Over Coffee
  • Access Health Enrollment Extension
  • New Laws in 2026
  • Rule Changes to SNAP Benefits
  • Extra Protection for Orange Police K9
  • New Fire Truck in Hamden
  • Amity Students Start Global Art Movement
  • Derby Events Calendar
  • Upcoming Events in Hamden
  • Orange Events Calendar
  • Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
 

Military Action in Venezuela 
& Deadly ICE Shooting

If you have read my newsletters or any of my communications, you know that I intentionally present state and district information plainly as much as possible. It's important to maintain that line of communication and a respectful relationship with all of my constituents, and adding political spin to things is not helpful or productive.
 
Over the last two weeks, there have been two occurrences that have given me and many other Americans, serious pause. In my capacity as an elected official, I feel it is my responsibility to speak out. The first was the military action in Venezuela, and the other was the death of an American citizen by an I.C.E. Agent in Minneapolis yesterday.

Like most military operations, the actions taken in Venezuela come about in a complex situation with a lot of history behind it. In this instance my concern was less about the "why" and more about the "how". Requiring Congressional approval, or in extreme cases simply notification, is in our Constitution and a pillar of our democracy. It prevents any leader from acting alone and protects our country and service members. We cannot let this shift in process become normalized. It has become clear that Congress also has concerns about the process as the Senate voted today to limit the military actions of President Trump in Venezuela moving forward. Another procedural vote and debate on the resolution is expected next week. 

Yesterday, while being a legal observer in her own neighborhood, Renee Good, was shot and killed by a federal I.C.E. Agent. This unfortunate loss has raised serious questions and deep concern. The Trump administration describes this tragedy as an act of self-defense and is attempting to block a state-level investigation, but video evidence paints a very different story, underscoring the urgent need for a thorough, independent investigation into the events leading up to the use of deadly force. A full and transparent review is essential to determine what happened, ensure accountability, and honor Renee Good’s life by seeking the truth. My thoughts go out to Renee's family and friends, especially her children. 

I also watched a video where a man identified himself as a physician and distraughtly asked to be able to attend to her, and agents blocked him from providing any medical care. In its entirety, this is the kind of situation that should not happen in America, but this is not the first time that an I.C.E. Agent has used unnecessary force, and I am afraid this will not be the last. 

Again, the processes laid out by our Constitution and Bill of Rights matter, and no one is above the law.
 

Meet Me In Person Over Coffee

Please join me for a coffee and conversation on Tuesday, January 13 at 7 p.m. at Valley Diner in Derby. This is an opportunity to share your priorities, ask questions, and provide feedback ahead of the 2026 legislative session.  

Your input helps shape the work I do on your behalf at the State Capitol. Come by, grab a cup of coffee, and be part of the conversation. I look forward to seeing you there!
 

Access Health Enrollment Extension

Access Health CT has extended its final enrollment deadline to Saturday, January 31. Customers who register or renew will have health and dental plan coverage starting February 1.
 
Connecticut is stepping up by offering financial assistance despite recent federal cuts. Some customers may qualify for new state subsidies or other low- or no-cost coverage options, including the Covered CT Program or HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

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 or finding a nearby Navigator site. Help is available in more than 100 languages.

Please take a look at the call center hours below for more information.
 

New Laws in 2026

As we welcome a new year, several laws that we passed in the last legislative session took effect on January 1, 2026. 

We took a major step forward in advancing policies that support new, diverse housing options across Connecticut. With some of the highest housing costs in the region, too many individuals and families are being priced out of the communities where they work, grew up, and hope to retire. 

Preventative health care continues to be a priority because early detection saves both lives and long-term costs. To support this, we now require health insurers to cover certain high-priority biomarker tests that aid in early detection, prevention, and treatment.

Additionally, we have prohibited the substitution of lower-priced drugs for higher-priced medications for individuals living with multiple sclerosis and arthritis, and we have made this ban permanent for medications used to treat mental health disorders.

These updates reflect our ongoing commitment to making Connecticut more affordable, healthier, and more equitable for everyone. To learn more about these and other laws taking effect on January 1, 2026, click the button below for a complete, easy-to-read summary.
New Laws Effective January 1, 2026
 

Rule Changes to SNAP Benefits

The state is reminding those with SNAP benefits that new, federal legislation has changed eligibility standards. The Connecticut Department of Social Services asks that SNAP recipients answer a few questions to find out if they're affected. CLICK HERE to take the evaluation.
 

Extra Protection for Orange Police K9
The Orange Police Department's K9 Beux is better prepared for an emergency response thanks to a generous donation. The beloved police dog received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a nonprofit named Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest, embroidered in memory of a nonprofit volunteer named Chris Caramela, provides crucial protection for Beux during his duties, which include patrol, tracking, and assisting with arrest. 
 

New Fire Truck in Hamden

The Hamden Fire Department added a new fire truck to its fleet to protect families, homes, schools, and local businesses. The new engine at Station 2 will strengthen response times with updated rescue tools to battle fires as well as assist with medical calls, crashes, and other emergencies.
 
The new technology on board supports communication, navigation, and safety, meaning better coordination across the department and quicker decision-making on scene. Together, these upgrades ensure our firefighters are better equipped —giving Hamden residents greater peace of mind when emergencies strike.
 

Amity Students Start Global Art Movement

Two Amity High School students are protecting our environment and expanding access to the arts by giving new live to discarded art supplies. Grace Millard and Jordan Chen founded the nonprofit Restoring Rainbows, which is dedicated to making art accessible while reducing waste.

Through their work, students clean and restore gently used art supplies headed to landfills and redistribute them to schools and communities that lack access to these educational materials.

Restoring Rainbows has grown exponentially since promoting its mission on social media. In just two years, the nonprofit has expanded to more than 200 branches across 50 countries.

NBC Connecticut recently highlighted Jordan and Grace's exceptional work.
Click here to watch the story!
 

Derby Events Calendar

Check out the events and community calendar in Derby below.

You're invited to check out the Sweater Weather Book & Bake Sale to support the community. The event will be held on Saturday, January 10 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Derby Public Library.
Connecticut Foodshare will give away free food to the community on Tuesday, January 13 from 2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church on Elizabeth Street. Organizers will hand out tickets at 2 p.m. to everyone in line. Make sure to bring a bag so you can bring the food home.

Derby Elks Lodge #571 is trying out Jukebox Match Up at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 17. It's similar to Bingo, but instead of letter and numbers, players use song titles to fill up your board. Tickets are $20. Click here for more information and to make reservations.
Derby Community Calendar
 

Upcoming Events in Hamden

Look at the flyers below to learn more about the upcoming events in Hamden.

You and your child are invited to enjoy a morning of yoga at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 9 at Miller Memorial Library. Please bring your own yoga mat if you have one. This program is intended for children from 2 to 5 years of age with their caregiver. Click here to sign up!
More Hamden Events
 

Orange Events Calendar

Check out the flyers and community calendar in Orange below.

The Amity Chamber of Commerce Health and Fitness Expo will ring in the New Year from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 10 at the Courtyard by Marriott. The Expo is free and open to the public. 

The sold-out exhibit floor will feature a diverse roster of exhibitors spanning a robust range of health and fitness areas, including food and drink samples, fitness centers, therapies, energy efficiency, health insurance providers, optometrists, chiropractors, recreational facilities, pet health, and more. Click here to register.

A wildlife educator will introduce the public to parrots, exotics mammals, large reptiles, insects, and much more! Some audience members will have the opportunity to handle several of the animals. The event will be held Saturday, January 17 at 1 p.m. at the High Plains Community Center Gym. 
Orange Community Calendar
 

Upcoming Events in Woodbridge

Take a look at the upcoming event and community calendar below to see what’s happening in Woodbridge.

Woodbridge Town Library will host the first ever Community Volunteer Fair to inform the public on how it can get involved in the community. The fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 10 at the Center Building gym. This is an opportunity to meet organizers from at least 14 local nonprofits and learn about the work they do to improve Woodbridge and nearby communities.
Woodbridge Community Calendar