Legislative Update for Oct. 8, 2025

October 8, 2025



 

 

A lot of misinformation (and disinformation) is wafting out of the right-wing ecosphere over the reason(s) for the federal shutdown.

Here's the truth: The issues at stake are far too important to deflect. Without action from President Trump and Republicans in Congress, thousands of Connecticut residents — and millions across the country — will see their health insurance premiums rise dramatically.

Let’s be clear: this is not about providing healthcare for undocumented residents, as President Trump has falsely claimed. They are not eligible for this program or any federally funded program. This is about hardworking middle-class Americans who get coverage through Obamacare/Affordable Care Act. In Connecticut, that’s over 200,000 people insured through Access Health CT. Many face premium hikes of thousands of dollars a year if nothing is done, and will get alarming letters notifying them of these unaffordable cost spikes as soon as next week.

I’ve spoken directly with 135th District residents, all hardworking neighbors who will struggle to afford their insurance without these tax credits, and many who will drop health insurance as a result, raising health costs and premiums for everyone else.

Some may argue this isn’t the fault of Republicans because these credits were set to expire. But they had the opportunity in their “One Big..BB” to extend them for the middle class. Instead, they chose more tax breaks for multi-millionaires and billionaires and the wealthiest corporations.

I hope a resolution is reached soon so the government can reopen and families can keep their healthcare affordable.

Republicans control all branches of government, and they have the power to put the middle class ahead of the 1% today — if they choose to truly represent the people. In the meantime, my colleagues and I are working to plug the gaping wounds caused by this shutdown and working every day to protect our people and keep funding the services on which everyone relies.
 

Community Conversation

I joined a panel discussion at the Redding Senior Center with Sen. Ceci Maher, Comptroller Sean Scanlon and Redding First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton on Wednesday, during which we discussed the federal shutdown. Specifically, we talked about the shutdown's impact as well as Connecticut's response.

Again: shutting down the federal government and federal workers, military personnel, TSA agents and air traffic controllers not getting paid is dangerous.

But so is abruptly ending funding for Women Infant and Children’s Program (WIC) which feeds babies and their moms, who rely on this program in the most vulnerable economic situations.

But with Republicans currently controlling the Executive and Legislative Branches of government (not to mention owning the Supreme Court), we have to remain adamant about the government helping the American people, not harming them. This is the only way to fight to keep thousands of people in Connecticut and the rest of the U.S. from having their heath insurance premiums skyrocket into unaffordability and demanding services and federal employees’ backpay be restored.

This should not, and cannot, happen in our country.
 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I had a busy day with Comptroller Scanlon on Wednesday! I joined him, patients, doctors, and legislative colleagues the Fairfield Cancer Center to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The message is simple, yet extremely important: get screened.

Get screened, get screened, get screened.

As Comptroller Scanlon said, we are lucky to have some of the world’s best cancer care right here in Connecticut. Even so, the earlier the detection, the better the outcomes.
 

Blue Ribbon Congratulations!

I am so proud to celebrate Weston Intermediate School being recognized as one of just four Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence in Connecticut.

All four had been nominated earlier this year for the national Blue Ribbon Schools Program award. For more than 40 years the program celebrated the top performing schools in the United States until it was abruptly discontinued in September by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Thanks to Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and State Dept. of Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, the state is carrying on with the award through Connecticut's Blue Ribbon Schools Program of Excellence.

I was honored to represent the Connecticut delegation to recognize the team pictured below: Former WIS Principal Patty Falber, who retired in July, is speaking as the new WIS principal, Jen D’Amico, and the new Weston Superintendent Erica Forti, look on.

Weston Intermediate School (WIS) was awarded the Blue Ribbon for earning the distinction in every possible category — English language arts (ELA), math, and science — and exceeding the state’s performance index target.

The distinction also notes that trendlines at WIS “are on an upward trajectory post-pandemic,” and that students with high needs earned their highest index scores in ELA and mathematics compared to all previous years. Congratulations, WIS, you all make us proud!!!
 

Georgetown Walkabout

Comptroller Scanlon, Sen. Maher and I also took part in a Georgetown Business district WalkAbout, to promote MyCTSavings enrollment for 401K retirement for small business owners, at no cost to them, and their employees. (Small-business employees are able to make direct contributions of up to 5% of their pay to this Roth-IRA type retirement program.)

In addition, we talked about the drug discount ArrayRX card available to any state resident, regardless of age.
 

Georgetown Reimagined!

Speaking of Georgetown, last weekend Sen. Maher and I spent a couple of hours with Redding residents and consultants as they talked about the possible future of that section of town.

More than 100 people attended to discuss, among other things, the Gilbert and Bennett buildings, and what downtown Georgetown might look like in years to come.
 

CTDOT Open House

Several legislative colleagues and I attended a CTDOT Open House, which highlighted numerous exceptional safety, security and updated public transit systems the state is doing. The DOT discussed exciting initiatives such as the CTRoads app, and 24/7 monitoring and wrong-way detection systems.

I'm looking forward to these programs coming to fruition as part of our ongoing effort to keep Connecticut residents -- pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, passengers, service workers and responders -- safe! 
 

Early Voting

Early voting will start on Monday, Oct. 20 and end Sunday, Nov. 2.  Hours are daily (Sunday through Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on Tuesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 30, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Same-day registration will be available during early voting hours and on Election Day.  

  • The early voting location in Easton is the Library Community Room on Morehouse Road.
  • The early voting location in Weston is Weston Town Hall Meeting Room and same-day voter registration available during days and times of early voting.
  • The early voting location for Redding is the Redding Community Center (37 Lonetown Road).

Absentee Ballots must be received by 8 p.m., before closing on Nov. 4, Election Day.  Please mail your ballot early so it's received before polls close on Nov. 4. 
 

Upcoming CWCSEO Listening Sessions
 

Community Conversation

I'm hosting a community conversation with Treasurer Erick Russell at the Weston Library Community Room on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

We’ll discuss Connecticut’s economic outlook, answer your questions, and take a look at how federal policies and the shutdown impact the state. We'll also discuss how we are protecting your resources and retirement, and closing the economic disparity here in Connecticut. You’re invited, join us!
 

Vaccines in Easton

The Easton Senior Center will be offering flu (either dose), Covid, RSV, tetanus, shingles, and pneumonia vaccines on Thursday, Oct. 16, 7:30 am until noon. You must call for an appointment 203-268-1145 and bring your insurance ID to the appointment.
 

Strum & Sing in Weston

Weston is hosting a musical jamboree on Monday, Oct. 13, from 10 to 11 a.m. on the town green in front of Town Hall. 

This fun, family friendly event features pumpkin painting, donuts, along with dozens of acoustic guitars — young, old, seasoned, brand new — coming together for one big Weston sing-along under the open sky. Email Jesse at thewestonmusicaljamboree@gmail.com to join the guitar crew. You’ll get early access to the song choices, simple chord charts, and a front-row spot in Weston history. *All skill levels welcome.* Click here to view the songbook.
 

As always, please feel free to contact my office at 800-842-8267 or by email at anne.hughes@cga.ct.gov. And "Like" and follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates. 

Peace,

Anne Hughes
State Representative

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