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Dear Neighbors & Friends,
With the 2026 Legislative Session behind us, I have been spending some time around Stamford and our district connecting with residents on the work we accomplished this session and attending several non-profit forums and events alongside community leaders. During this session, we were able to accomplish a lot for the people of Connecticut, and I am proud of our work and of the opportunity to work alongside inspiring and effective legislators.
Click on the links below to go to each section, and as always, if I can be of service to you, please be in touch!
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| A Budget That Empowers Our Community |
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After months of negotiation, House Democrats led passage of a bipartisan budget demonstrating that compromise remains the most effective way to govern. Here in Stamford, we are receiving an additional $2,992,517 in state funding. This funding includes $1,441,637 in additional education funding and $1,550,880 in additional town aid, helping close critical gaps in school budgets and town finances.
Stamford’s total portion of the state budget is $39,822,627, which includes PILOT funds, Motor Vehicle Tax Payments, Supplemental Revenue Sharing Grants, Town Aid Road, Local Capital Improvement Program (LoCIP), Municipal Grants in Aid, Education Cost Sharing, Adult Education, Special Education and Expansion Development (SEED) Grant, as well as the one time supplemental funding for education and town aid. |
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Together, we produced a 2027 budget that significantly boosts support for the state’s education system, increases crucial investments in transportation, supports town and city budgets, and more—all while safeguarding the state's strong fiscal outlook, including $1 billion toward paying down long-term pension debt.
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The specifics of this budget include:
Over $300 million relief package for cities, towns, and schools
- $190 million in direct support for schools
- $100 million to address local tax increases
- $12 million to establish universal free school breakfast programs across the state
- Expanded grants for successful special education programs
- Numerous grants to towns to address the rising costs associated with construction and purchasing
- $4 million to help communities where three hospitals abruptly came off the tax rolls
A historic agreement with our hospitals
- Providing them with much-needed tax relief
- Maximizing federal funding for health care
- Setting up a system to address rising costs
More investments in transportation options for our residents
- Increased funding for Shoreline East rail
- Funded successful "micro-transit" public transportation programs
- Helped prevent hikes in bus fares
Making Connecticut more affordable for working families
- Expanding sales tax-free week to include clothing, shoes, and backpacks under $300 (from $100)
- Making basic school supplies tax-free, including backpacks, lunchboxes, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, rulers, and paper
- Creating a family caregiver tax credit for residents caring for a loved one
Investing in Connecticut businesses and job growth
- Helping small businesses offer health care support by providing a tax credit when they contribute toward employees’ individual health insurance coverage.
- Supporting small businesses and biotech companies through a new research and development tax credit to help them grow and create jobs in our state
Taking Aim at Property Taxes
- $162M new Education Equalization Grant to address underfunding in our current school funding formula
- Additional 2% for the towns that have seen recent population decreases
- $100M in new funding to cities and towns
Connecticut residents made a call for help in many areas. Connecticut lawmakers heard it and answered in a strong, bipartisan way.
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| Upcoming Event: Understanding Human Trafficking in Our Community |
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I invite you all to join me, State Representative Lucy Dathan, CEO of Partnership to End Human Trafficking Jamie Manirikiza, CEO of the Rowan Center Sharon Walker Epps, and Sergeant Steven Murphy from the Stamford Police Department for an important discussion on the impacts of human trafficking across Connecticut and in our community.
The event will feature a panel discussion with community leaders who will help educate attendees on this critical issue, how it affects our communities, and what we can do to raise awareness and support prevention efforts.
The Understanding Human Trafficking in Our Community Panel will take place on Thursday, June 4th, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Dudley N. Williams, Jr. Auditorium at Ferguson Library (1 Public Library Plaza).
I hope you can join us for this important event and spread the word about this community conversation on human trafficking and its impact on our communities.
Click here to register, share the event with friends, and find more info. |
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| OEC-WBDC Program Operations Grant Opportunity |
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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.
OEC and WBDC are offering grants of up to $50,000 to qualified Connecticut early childhood businesses to support operations and preserve child care access. The Operations Grant provides short-term funding to support OEC-licensed early childhood education programs. The grants are designed to help programs maintain their existing early childhood slots.
Grants will be awarded to eligible programs serving high and medium-needs families, as defined by OEC. This funding is intended to support operational expenses, including staffing, materials, facility costs, and other business needs that ensure ongoing services to families and communities.
This is a ONE-TIME funding opportunity. Click here for more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply. |
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As always, whenever anything is top of mind for you and I can be of service to you, please contact me at (860) 240-8585 or on my cell phone at 203-249-1831 or email me directly at eilish.collinsmain@cga.ct.gov.
Warm Regards,
Eilish Collins Main
State Representative |
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