Access Health Deadline, Session, and more

January 30, 2026



 

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Dear Neighbor,

The forecast indicates that bitterly cold weather will persist for an extended period, with temperatures remaining well below seasonal averages through the middle of next week. This prolonged cold spell is unlike anything Connecticut has experienced in many years, raising concerns about public safety and infrastructure impacts. In response to these conditions, Governor Ned Lamont has extended Connecticut’s Severe Weather Protocol through noon on Thursday, February 5.

Please be reminded that warming centers throughout the area are available for individuals and families in need. You can search for them here. These locations provide a safe, heated space during extreme cold conditions.
 
 

I'm sure you've heard by now that our community made their voices heard this week about a scheduled visit from the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon. I feel really proud of our how our community exercised their First Amendment rights sharing their concerns and perspectives that they didn’t think this visit was right for Fairfield. There are many layers for this resistance to hosting the Secretary of Education in our schools and particularly at McKinley Elementary School, which is a Title I school. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me to celebrate a visitor who is explicitly working to dismantle the Dept. of Education, defund public schools, and strip away key programs like SNAP and funds for after-school that impact the McKinley community most dramatically. 

Moreover, our McKinley community is Fairfield’s most international school and neighborhood and we heard loud and clear, given the extremely aggressive ICE tactics, people did not feel safe having their child attend school with a senior member of this administration. I am grateful that the Superintendent listened and took swift action.

Lastly, I will say, had this visit been scheduled with the community, parents, PTAs, the Board of Education, or even high schoolers, I would have supported the opportunity for discourse. I, and most people I've heard from, would welcome the opportunity to express their concerns about the administration's approach to public education and their approach on rewriting American history and have a respectful exchange of ideas. Unfortunately, this visit explicitly excluded parents and was not open to debate and discourse. It is my hope that our Board of Education welcomes an opportunity for this conversation to take place. 

In the rest of this week's eblast, you can read about Access Health registration, the upcoming legislative session, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
 

Access Health CT Deadline 

Reminder: Access Health CT’s extended enrollment deadline runs through Saturday, January 31. Customers who register or renew by this date will have health and dental coverage beginning February 1.

Connecticut is stepping up by offering financial assistance despite recent federal cuts. Some customers may qualify for new state subsidies or other low- or no-cost coverage options, including the Covered CT Program or HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
 

Customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com and click the “Get Help” button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them, including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site or attending an enrollment fair. Help is available in over 100 languages.

Free help to sign up is available online, in person and over the phone.
 

Upcoming Legislative Town Hall 

A reminder that the Fairfield House delegation will be hosting a legislative town hall Thursday, Feb. 5 from 6:30-8pm at the Egan School of Nursing Second Floor at Fairfield University (1073 N. Benson Rd., Fairfield).

We will discuss the upcoming legislative session, our priorities, and the issues that matter most to you. You can use this link to RSVP. I hope to see you there!
 

February 4: Back in Session 

Next week, the 2026 legislative session will officially get underway at the state Capitol. My legislative colleagues and I will begin several months of debate, deliberation, and decision-making on a wide range of key policy issues that will shape our state in the year ahead.

Watch the 2026 legislative session live on CT-N beginning Wednesday, February 4, at 10:00 a.m., with coverage of opening day. Live streams of subsequent session days and committee meetings are also available at any time.
 

Women's Business Development Council Grants 

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) announced the next round of Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs.

The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million. The application period for Ignite grants runs from February 3rd through March 18th. You can find additional information on Ignite here.

The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program offers grants targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs from February 1st through February 28th. You can find more information on the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants here.

Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here.
 

2026 OLR Major Issues Report 

The 2026 Office of Legislative Research Major Issues Report provides concise summaries of key topics anticipated to come before the General Assembly during the upcoming legislative session.

You can click here to access the report.
 

Upcoming Local Events 
Fairfield Restaurant Week - Winter Edition
Jan. 26 - Feb. 8
Read more here
Community Day of Service
Fairfield Museum (370 Beach Rd., Fairfield)
Monday, Jan. 19 - Feb. 8
Read more here
 

I'm committed to ensuring your voice is heard. Please don't hesitate to call my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me if there's anything I can do for you. Be sure to follow @LeeperForFairfield on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol.


Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative

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