Amy Morrin Bello

A new round of state grants will help target food insecurity, which affects an estimated one in ten Connecticut residents.

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.

Connecticut will prevent dramatic increases in property tax assessments on farmland, forestland, open space and maritime heritage land that could force the conversion of these lands to more intensive uses.

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

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced that the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Connecticut’s proposal for the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, awarding $144 million to the state that will be used to expand high-speed internet access statewide.

The state is awarding nearly $12 million in grants to 17 towns and cities for projects that will improve transportation safety and mobility. They are being awarded through the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Community Connectivity Grant Program.

The Open Enrollment Period for Access Health began Nov. 1, 2025 and ends Jan. 15, 2026. Connecticut residents can shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance plans or renew their coverage. Customers can also enroll in dental insurance.

The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses.