I hope you and your family are staying warm and happy this holiday season. This past Wednesday, November 12th, the House of Representatives convened for a special session to tackle the urgent needs of the people we serve.
At a time when federal uncertainty, cruelty, and gridlock seem to be the norm. I have never been more committed to choosing stability, compassion, and responsible governance for our people.
My colleagues and I worked together, across the isle and across viewpoints, to advance measures that will protect families, strengthen our communities. Legislation which I believe gives Connecticut residents what they need when they need it most.
We passed a series of bills, from a large spending package, to housing and immigration policies. Over the upcoming weeks and months my office and I will be giving more descriptions of the policies past and the work done. However, further in this communication, you will find more detailed information on our emergency spending package, and other key programs and decisions that I hope will be a few to you and your family.
As always, I write this message with our community foremost in my mind. I am proud to serve as your state representative. Thank you for trusting me to keep fighting for Connecticut and for the future our residents deserve.
If you have any issues, concerns, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to email me directly or contact my office at (860) 240-8585.
This funding will fill critical gaps in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Connecticut will not stand by while the federal government undermines support for middle- and low-income families.
This funding is available now through February 2026, when the Connecticut General Assembly will be back in regular session and can address long-term solutions to federal funding cuts.
It’s important to note that now with the government shutdown ending, if we do not use the $500 million budget reserve fund by July 1, 2026, any remaining funds will automatically be transferred to help pay down the state’s unfunded pension debt.
Click here to listen to me discuss how this funding will help residents
A Commitment to Children's Behavioral Health
During the special session on Wednesday, we passed legislation that continues to build on House Democrats’ commitment to children’s behavioral health care.
Highlights include:
Statewide study to assess the demand for children’s behavioral health services and improve data collection
New grant program to support care coordination and resource navigation for kids and families
Insurance companies must now cover autism treatments — including applied behavior analysis and cognitive behavioral therapy — up to age 26
Adding substance abuse treatment providers for children to the Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (TCB)
Together, these measures represent a stronger, more coordinated system of care for Connecticut’s children.
Early Start CT Expansion
Thanks to the Early Childhood Education Endowment, an initiative that was passed by the General Assembly in the 2025 legislative session, the expansion of the Early Start CT program in 2026 marks an important step forward in meeting the growing demand for high-quality early childhood care and education across Connecticut.
Beginning in January 2026, up to 1,000 new spaces will be added to the state’s Early Start CT program, expanding access to affordable early learning opportunities for more families.
In addition, the state will increase provider payments by up to 8% to help offset operational costs and support higher staff compensation. The endowment supports the governor’s initiative to implement the largest expansion of early childhood education services in Connecticut’s history. We are thrilled about this program and the tremendous benefits it will bring to children, families, and communities across the state.
Early Start CT is a state-funded early care and education program serving income-eligible families with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. The program is administered by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC).
To support this expansion, OEC will soon launch a Request for Applications (RFA) for child care providers interested in offering Early Start CT spaces. The RFA will be open to child care centers, group child care homes, family child care homes, and public school preschool classrooms throughout the state.
Click here for more information on Early Start CT.
