Josh Elliott

Time is running out for those interested in health and dental coverage through Access Health CT, the final enrollment deadline is January 31. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure coverage.

In addition, Connecticut’s Severe Weather Protocol has been extended through next week due to the dangerously cold temperatures across the state. This extension ensures continued access to critical warming resources and shelters for those in need during this period of extreme weather.

Keep reading for more information on these updates, as well as what to expect when the 2026 legislative session officially begins next week.

Thank you to my colleagues, students, and community members who joined us for the annual Breakfast with the Legislators last weekend. The thoughtful dialogue, meaningful community engagement, and shared commitment to civic participation and our democracy are what make this event so impactful. These conversations not only inform our work but also strengthen the bonds that hold our community together.

Reminder: Access Health CT’s extended enrollment deadline runs through Saturday, January 31. Customers who register or renew by this date will have health and dental coverage beginning 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).

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 attending an enrollment fair. Help is available in over 100 languages.

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

Next week, the 2026 legislative session will officially get underway at the state Capitol. My legislative colleagues and I will begin several months of debate, deliberation, and decision-making on a wide range of key policy issues that will shape our state in the year ahead.

Watch the 2026 legislative session live on CT-N beginning Wednesday, February 4, at 10:00 a.m., with coverage of opening day. Live streams of subsequent session days and committee meetings are also available at any time.

The 2026 Office of Legislative Research Major Issues Report provides concise summaries of key topics anticipated to come before the General Assembly during the upcoming legislative session.

Click on the image below to access the report. 

The forecast indicates that bitterly cold weather will persist for an extended period, with temperatures remaining well below seasonal averages through the middle of next week. This prolonged cold spell is unlike anything Connecticut has experienced in many years, raising concerns about public safety and infrastructure impacts. In response to these conditions, Governor Ned Lamont has extended Connecticut’s Severe Weather Protocol through noon on Thursday, February 5.

Please remember the Hamden warming center is open and available to anyone in need of a safe, heated place to stay. The warming center provides critical relief from dangerously low temperatures and helps to ensure that no one has to endure the cold alone. If you or someone you know could benefit, please make use of this resource and help spread the word so our community can remain safe and warm during harsh winter weather.

You will find Hamden’s warming center inside the Keefe Community Center Gym (11 Pine Street; enter through the George Street parking lot at 19 George Street), and it will remain open through March 29. The center operates seven nights a week, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Please note the warming center is not a shelter and does not provide beds. It offers a clean, safe, indoor overnight space to protect individuals in need from harsh weather conditions, particularly those who might otherwise spend the night outdoors.

Save the Date!

The Hamden delegation and I will be hosting a Start of Session Town Hall on Saturday, February 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Thornton Wilder Hall (2901 Dixwell Avenue).

This town hall is an opportunity for community members to hear about the upcoming legislative session, learn about our priorities, and share questions, concerns, and ideas. We look forward to engaging in an open conversation and hearing directly from you.

We hope you’ll join us and take part in this important discussion about the work ahead.