CURRENT NEWS AND ISSUES
December 11, 2024
State Minimum Wage Increases with New Year
Effective January 1, 2025, the hourly minimum wage in the state will increase from $15.69 to $16.35. READ MORE
November 20, 2024
Open Enrollment for Access Health CT Insurance
Access Health CT's (AHCT) Open Enrollment period for health insurance began this month and runs through January 15, 2025. READ MORE
November 13, 2024
State Park Improvements
The state recently allocated $30 million toward much-needed infrastructure repairs and improvements to our state parks and forests. READ MORE
November 6, 2024
Help for First Time Homebuyers
There is good news for low and moderate-income families in Connecticut looking to buy their first home as a popular homeowner assistance program is now accepting a new round of applicants. READ MORE
October 30, 2024
Ballot Includes Question Allowing “No Excuse” Absentee Voting
In addition to selecting candidates for public office, voters are being asked to decide if absentee ballots should be expanded to all voters. READ MORE
October 16, 2024
Early Voting Begins October 21
Election Day this year is Tuesday November 5 and for the first time in Connecticut history residents can take advantage of the state's new early voting law beginning Monday October 21. READ MORE
October 9, 2024
October is both Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month
All year round, but particularly this month, together let’s bring attention to and raise awareness about the tragedy caused by breast cancer and domestic violence. READ MORE
October 2, 2024
New State Laws Effective October 1
A variety of new laws that were passed by the Connecticut General Assembly during the 2024 legislative session went into effect on October 1. READ MORE
September 25, 2024
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Of course Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates Hispanic culture, but it also honors the positive impact and lasting contributions made by generations of our growing Hispanic population to our country. READ MORE
September 11, 2024
We Will Never Forget
Today we honor the memory of those we lost on 9/11 and salute the courage of the heroes who risked their lives to save others. READ MORE
September 4, 2024
Stay Alert! School Buses are Back on the Roads
With school recently started, now is a good time for a reminder that we all need to be extra careful as school buses and students will be sharing the roads. READ MORE
August 21, 2024
Helping to Preserve Our Environment
A new round of state grants totaling almost $15 million will go toward preserving land throughout Connecticut as open green space. READ MORE
August 14, 2024
Help for Lead Removal from Homes
A new state program to help residents remove dangerous lead hazards, such as lead paint, from homes is now accepting applications. READ MORE
August 7, 2024
Sales Tax-Free Week on Clothing is Back
Connecticut's annual summer Sales Tax-Free Week on clothing is back, and this year it runs from Sunday August 18 through Saturday August 24. READ MORE
July 24, 2024
Nominate a Vet for Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame
Nominations are now open for the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame class of 2024. READ MORE
July 10, 2024
Good News on State Finances
Connecticut's credit rating has been upgraded again while the state budget is on track to post another surplus for the current fiscal year. READ MORE
July 2, 2024
New State Laws Effective This Month
Almost 100 new state laws passed by the legislature aimed at improving the quality of life in our great state took effect July 1. READ MORE
June 26, 2024
Summer Recreation and Tourism in Connecticut
With 110 state parks and 32 state forests, the summer recreation and tourism season offers state residents and visitors numerous outdoor options to enjoy. READ MORE
June 5, 2024
Helping Families Stay Healthy
Nutrition is an important factor in keeping us healthy, and legislation passed this session is designed to improve access to healthy food choices for families in need. READ MORE
May 29, 2024
Addressing Healthcare Worker Shortage with Student Loan Help
Connecticut is launching a new program that will help expand access to healthcare in underserved communities by forgiving student loan debt for certain healthcare workers. READ MORE
May 22, 2024
Early Childhood Care and Education
A House Democrats' priority bill aimed at improving access to affordable early childhood care and education was passed by the full legislature this session. READ MORE
May 15, 2024
Improving Care for Our Seniors
Legislation designed to improve the quality and access to elder care was overwhelmingly approved by both the House and Senate with strong bipartisan support. READ MORE
May 8, 2024
Needed Investments in Higher Education, Childcare, Mental Health and Non-Profits
With the two-year $26 billion budget passed by the legislature last year remaining strong and in balance, we were able to make much needed new investments in important areas such as higher education, early childcare, mental health services and our non-profit community. READ MORE
May 1, 2024
House Passes Paid Sick Days Legislation
Though most workers in Connecticut currently earn paid time off from their jobs, unfortunately there are still many employers who do not offer this critical benefit that is important to sustaining a productive healthy workplace. READ MORE
April 24, 2024
Taking Aim at "Street Takeovers"
Public safety is one of government's most important responsibilities, and legislation passed by the House of Representatives takes aim at stopping the growing threat of "street takeovers." READ MORE
April 17, 2024
Legislation as a Collaborative Effort
Utilizing the expertise of professional academic researchers is an important part of the equation for writing effective new laws says Representative Jaime Foster in an opinion piece she co-wrote earlier this year. READ MORE
April 10, 2024
Congratulations UConn Huskies!
With their resounding victory Monday night, our beloved Huskies earned their sixth NCAA men's basketball championship in just the last 25 years. READ MORE
April 3, 2024
Childcare Initiative Earns Strong Support
Legislation aiming to improve the access and affordability of childcare for Connecticut families is gaining growing support from both Democrats and Republicans. READ MORE
March 27, 2024
Helping to Combat Climate Change
As the Earth continues to heat up, bringing more severe storms along with wetter and warmer seasons, we are working on adopting policies here in Connecticut to help our state do its small part in facing the growing threat of undeniable climate change. READ MORE
March 20, 2024
Early Voting Available to Residents
For the first time, residents can take advantage of the state's new early voting law with Connecticut's April 2 presidential preference primaries. READ MORE
March 13, 2024
Elder Care Bill Emerges as a Priority with Bipartisan Support
Leaders of the Aging Committee recently announced that legislation designed to improve the quality and access to elder care is a priority for them this session and has strong bipartisan support. READ MORE
March 6, 2024
Let's Celebrate Women's History Month
March is Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to honoring the vital role women have played in American history and learn more about their contributions. READ MORE
February 21, 2024
Funding for Heating Help Bolstered
One of the first orders of business for the 2024 legislative session was to approve extra funding for depleted heating and fuel assistance programs that help vulnerable residents stay warm during winter. READ MORE
February 14, 2024
Doing Our Part in Addressing Climate Change
Our Chairs of the legislature's Environment and Energy Committees have a number of ideas on how Connecticut can do its part in addressing climate change. READ MORE
February 7, 2024
Celebrate Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a time when we celebrate the many achievements and contributions Black Americans have made to our country as we continue to reckon with the systemic racism from our past that is still prevalent today. READ MORE
January 31, 2024
2024 Legislative Session Opens February 7
With the 2024 legislative session just around the corner next week on Wednesday, February 7, we are committed to keeping you informed, and also want to encourage you to participate in the process. READ MORE
January 24, 2024
New Online Portal for Job Seekers
Connecticut has launched a new online jobs portal aimed at assisting state residents — and those seeking to move here — in the process of finding a job. READ MORE
January 17, 2024
Operation Fuel Accepting Applications Until March 1
If you're struggling to pay utility bills, there is still time to apply to Operation Fuel for help. READ MORE
January 10, 2024
Paid Leave Program Can Help Women With Endometriosis
In a recent opinion piece, Rep. Jillian Gilchrest of West Hartford encouraged women suffering from endometriosis to consider utilizing Connecticut's Paid Leave program. READ MORE
January 3, 2024
Historic Tax Cuts
As a result of fiscally responsible budgeting by the legislature and governor, significant tax relief is on the way for many Connecticut taxpayers in 2024. READ MORE
December 20, 2023
New Year Brings New Laws
Many of the new state laws passed during the 2023 legislative session take effect on January 1, 2024. READ MORE
December 13, 2023
New Child Care Worker Apprentice Program
To help alleviate a shortage in child care workers, a new registered apprenticeship program was recently announced to attract more people to the field and improve the quality of home-based child care. READ MORE
December 6, 2023
State Minimum Wage Rises with New Year
Effective January 1, 2024, Connecticut's minimum wage of $15 will increase to $15.69 as a result of a new annual economic index adjustment. READ MORE
November 29, 2023
State Economy, Business Climate Remains Strong
Connecticut's economy remains strong with a robust business climate and low unemployment. READ MORE
November 15, 2023
Apprentice Program Can Lead to a Great Career
This week is "National Apprenticeship Week" which is a good time to highlight Connecticut's Apprenticeship Training Program and the great careers that await as you learn while you earn! READ MORE
November 1, 2023
Access Health CT Enrollment Now Open
Access Health CT's (AHCT) Open Enrollment Period for 2024 opened November 1. READ MORE
October 25, 2023
Help for "Disconnected and At-Risk" Youth
A recent report commissioned by the Connecticut-based Dalio Education found more than 63,000 young adults were "disconnected," and 56,000 students were "at risk" between 2021 and 2022. READ MORE
October 18, 2023
Presidential Primary Moved to Early April
The legislature voted last month to move up Connecticut's presidential preference primary day to early April. READ MORE
October 11, 2023
October Brings New State Laws
More than 100 new laws became effective on October 1 as a result of bills passed by the General Assembly during the 2023 legislative session. READ MORE
October 4, 2023
State Continues to Pay Down Pension Debt
Another strong fiscal year for the state budget has resulted in the transfer of more than $1.3 billion toward paying down Connecticut's long-term pension debt. READ MORE