Nick Gauthier

Happy New Year from State Rep. Nick Gauthier

Dear Friends and Neighbors, First, I want to wish everyone a happy, safe and healthy new year. I'm looking forward to a productive 2026 representing Waterford and Montville at the State Capitol. New Laws Taking Effect Jan. 1 As we welcome a new year, several laws passed in the last legislative session will take effect on Jan. 1. These new measures address key issues impacting our state and its residents, including expanded incentives for farmers; honored and recognized the service of our military veterans and protected the educational rights of military-connected students; protected our environment, strengthened protections for workers in sensitive professions, and improved reporting requirements to better track higher education enrollment, post-secondary credits, and student opportunities. 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. You can follow the link below to see the full list of new laws taking effect on January 1, 2026. Feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions. New Laws Effective Jan. 1 And, while it's not a new law, I want to note that the minimum wage will increase on Jan. 1. It will increase from the current rate of $16.35 per hour to $16.94 per hour. The change is required under a state law Governor Lamont signed in 2019 (Public Act 19-4) that connects the state’s minimum wage to economic indicators, specifically the percentage change in the federal employment cost index. Continuing forward under this law, Connecticut workers and employers can anticipate that announcements will be made by Oct. 15 of each year declaring the change in the minimum wage that will become effective on Jan. 1 of the approaching year. If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office at 860-240-8727 or by email at Nick.Gauthier@cga.ct.gov. And "Like" and follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates. Sincerely, Nick Gauthier, MPA 38th District -- Waterford, Montville Website Email Forward to a friend | Unsubscribe from this list | Update subscription preferences