Addressing the Child Care Crisis & Lowering Electric Rates

June 5, 2025


 
 

The legislative session has wrapped up, and it's been a meaningful and productive time at the Capitol. As always, I am honored to serve as your state representative and your voice in Hartford. Every vote I cast is with Wilton, New Canaan, and Ridgefield in mind.

It's a privilege to collaborate with my colleagues, engage in thoughtful debate, and push for progress together. I'm proud of the work we accomplished including investing in special education, lowering childcare costs, and cutting your electricity bill. All without raising taxes. I'll dig deeper into how these bills will support our communities.

I have heard from many more of you about your concerns and disappointment over the housing bill that passed last week. I want you to know that I share your deep concern about how this legislation could affect housing development – and potentially alter the unique character of our communities.

As a next step, I'll be taking a closer look with the best interests of Wilton, Ridgefield, and New Canaan in mind. I want to understand exactly how this bill might impact us locally, and I'll bring those insights to my colleagues at the Capitol. My goal is to shape a path forward that supports housing needs while still honoring what makes our towns so great. Click here to read last week’s newsletter, in which I shared my concerns with this measure.

I look forward to seeing you at the community coffee this Saturday, where we can speak about this issue and any others that matter to you and share ideas on the policies we passed this session. See below for more details and I hope to see you Saturday!

And please keep reaching out with any questions or concerns – session may be over, but the work continues. Remember, your voice matters in shaping the policies that impact our community. I can always be reached by email at Savet.Constantine@cga.ct.gov. because your feedback plays a vital role in identifying the issues we need to address. And if you'd like more immediate insights into what's happening in Hartford and events around the district, please follow my Facebook and Instagram accounts. 
 
It's a privilege to represent you.

Warmly,

Savet Constantine
State Representative

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Meet Me Over Coffee

Please join me for a community conversation about what we accomplished during the legislative session on Saturday, June 7 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at CT Coffee in Wilton. I will provide context and important details about the priorities and we passed in 2025.

This is an opportunity for you to ask questions, voice concerns, and share your thoughts. Your feedback helps me better serve our communities, and I look forward to a great conversation! Stay tuned for upcoming events in Ridgefield and New Canaan!
 

Our Budget Puts People First

The House adopted a $55.8 billion two-year budget that invests in child care, K-12 education, and special education, while providing tax relief for working families and supporting nonprofit service providers. All without raising your taxes.

As Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, it was a privilege to be part of the intense and dedicated work that went in to creating a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of our residents. 
Our budget reflects shared values, marked by historic investments in children through expanded funding for special education and childcare. It strengthens support for working families and ensures that the essential work of nonprofits is both valued and financially supported. These organizations are on the front lines every day, serving our most vulnerable neighbors. This budget affirms and reinforces their vital role in building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.

Historic New Funding For Special Education

  • $40 million for Excess Cost Grant in each of next two years
  • $30 million for Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program
  • $20 million in bonding to expand and upgrade special education facilities
  • $10 million in bonding for capital development
  • $10 million for Governor's Incentive District Grant
  • Preserves funding for Education Cost Sharing, so no school district sees a cut

CHILDCARE

  • Investible trust to provide sustainable funding for new childcare programs
  • Funding for direct healthcare of our children through DSS Medicaid

NONPROFIT PROVIDERS

  • Access to better health care and nonprofit community providers
  • $150 million for groups homes and nursing homes
  • More than $60 million in Medicaid rate increases, which will benefit nonprofit providers 

TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES

  • Targeted, meaningful relief and long-term support for working families
  • Refundable tax credit of $250 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) framework
  • $500 refundable tax credit for home daycare owners that recognizes and sustains the vital care workforce
  • Tax credit for employers who contribute to their employees' CHET accounts

This is a budget that works for the people — one that safeguards essential services, uplifts communities, and lays the foundation for a future where every resident is supported and protected. I'm proud to have cast a vote in support of this measure. 
 

Addressing the Child Care Crisis
Every Connecticut family deserves affordable, high-quality child care. With the passage of House Priority Bill 5003 and Senate Bill 1, transformative legislation is set to become reality by expanding access, supporting educators, and investing in a stronger future for our children and our economy. These smart, sustainable investments position Connecticut to lead the nation in delivering affordable, high quality child care and establishing universal Pre-K by 2032.

These bills represent a huge step in our commitment to our children:  

Provide a Sustainable Investment 

  • Fund the Early Childhood Education Endowment to invest in child care now and in the future

Lower Costs and Increase Access

  • Child care and Pre-K will be free for families in state-funded programs earning up to $100,000 and families making over $100,000 will pay no more than 7% of income
  • Add 16,000 new child care and Pre-K slots across the state
  • Create an online portal to help families find and enroll in programs

Attract and Retain Early Childhood Educators

  • Pay qualified educators on par with public school teachers
  • Provide funding for health insurance coverage for educators   

This legislation delivers lasting solutions for families, educators, and the economy. Together, these measures provide relief for families, bolster recruitment and retention of child care educators, and invest in the construction and renovation of early learning facilities. 
 

Lowering Electric Rates

Finally, we tackled the high cost of our energy bills that has been a top concern for residents. As a member of the Energy & Technology Committee, I am thrilled the House and Senate took bold, bipartisan action to lower electric bills—passing a comprehensive energy reform bill with more than $780 million in savings for ratepayers.

By easing costs on consumers, modernizing the grid, and investing in clean energy, we are powering a more affordable, reliable, and accountable energy future for all.