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Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of December 11.
Click the image below to view my video on this week’s events. |
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Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Sandy Hook Remembrance Candlelight Vigil. Click here.
- Access Health CT Enrollment Deadline Approaches. Click here.
- CT Strengthens Pension Fund. Click here.
- Real ID Update. Click here.
- ICYMI - Federal Railroad Administration. Click here.
- Northwest Corner Events. Click here.
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| Join the community for a candlelight vigil to honor the victims of Sandy Hook and all victims of gun violence. The vigil will be held Sunday, December 14 from 5–6 PM on the lawn of The White Hart Inn. Please bring your own candle. |
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Access Health CT reminds residents that the deadline to enroll in health or dental coverage starting January 1, 2026 is December 15, 2025. Those who enroll between December 16 and January 15 will have coverage beginning February 1, 2026.
Free enrollment help is available online, by phone, or in person. Visit AccessHealthCT.com to schedule an appointment, find a Navigator site, or attend an enrollment fair. Financial assistance is still available, and some residents may qualify for no-cost coverage through programs like Covered CT or HUSKY Health.
For phone assistance, call 1-855-805-4325 (help available in 100+ languages). |
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Connecticut has made considerable progress in paying down the pension debt. These recent contributions will save taxpayers $18 billion during the next two decades through reduced annual payment obligations.
The retired state workers' fund increased by more than $2.3 billion in 2025 due to strong investment performance and additional contributions. The unfunded liability decreased from $19.2 billion to $17.6 billion. The funded ratio increased from 55.2% to 59.6%.
Meanwhile, the retired teachers' fund grew by more than $1.6 billion, with its funded ratio increasing to 63.7%.
In a vacuum, the ratios may seem low, but consider that in 2018, the ratios were 37% for state retirees and 52% for teachers. That's because, for decades, the state failed to make the full required annual contributions to its pension funds, leading to a huge, compounding debt. Since 2011, however, responsible budgets adopted by the state legislature have fully funded these contributions annually and implemented collaborative reforms with labor and management.
What this means is that Connecticut is continuing to keep its financial house in order. One huge knock-on effect in a healthier pension landscape is Connecticut's credit ratings have improved (to Aa2, AA-, AA and AA+ by the various agencies), making it less expensive to borrow money due to lower interest rates.
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Starting February 1st, 2026, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin charging a $45 fee for air travelers who arrive at airport security without a Real ID or another acceptable form of identification, such as a valid passport or trusted traveler card. Travelers will be charged this fee to use TSA's ConfirmID identification verification system. The verification is valid for a 10-day period, so it may cover a return trip within that window.
To avoid unnecessary costs and potential security delays, travelers without a Real ID are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment at their local DMV to update their ID as soon as possible.
Click here to make an appointment with the CT DMV. |
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| The National Railroad Partnership Program is now open. Over $5 billion is available for communities looking to improve rail crossings or other passenger rail infrastructure. Applications are due Jan. 7, 2026. Click here to learn more. |
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It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.
Click here to forward to forward this email to a friend. |
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Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative |
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