Hilda E. Santiago

The Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) and Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) have begun accepting applications for the OEC-WBDC Program Operations Grants. The application period ends on May 25.

Representatives Hilda E. Santiago, Michael D. Quinn, Jack Fazzino, and Senator Jan Hochadel issued a statement after securing $9,273,749 in additional state funding for Meriden as part of the state budget approved by both the House and Senate over the weekend.

The House unanimously advanced House Bill 5406, The Connecticut Hero Act, and it is now heading to the Senate for consideration. 

The House recently passed legislation to strengthen Connecticut’s tire disposal program, requiring retail stores to fully participate by July 1, 2027.

The state's Student Loan Reimbursement Program has recently begun accepting applications for student loan payments that were made during the 2025 calendar year.

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.

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.