Anne Hughes

Connecticut has lost a remarkable public servant and trailblazer with the passing of Nancy Wyman.

Nancy devoted more than four decades to serving her community and our state. Her journey began on the Tolland Board of Education, motivated by a desire to have a voice in her daughters’ education. She went on to serve in the Connecticut House of Representatives, where she chaired the Education Committee, before making history in 1994 as the first woman elected state comptroller. She later served two terms as Connecticut’s lieutenant governor.

But Nancy’s legacy cannot be measured by the offices she held. She believed deeply in the responsibility of public service and in the idea that government should make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. She was a strong advocate for affordable and accessible health care, and her work helped lay the groundwork for the HUSKY health program. As lieutenant governor, she also played an important role in Connecticut’s implementation of health care reform and served as chair of the board of Access Health CT.

Those who knew Nancy will also remember her warmth, humor, energy, and generosity. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel seen and valued. She mentored generations of public servants and approached her work with both determination and humanity. Recent tributes have highlighted not only her historic accomplishments, but the kindness and authenticity that made her such a beloved figure across Connecticut.

As a woman serving in the Connecticut legislature today, I am especially grateful for the doors Nancy helped open. She showed that leadership is not simply about holding office — it is about showing up, listening, doing the hard work, and never losing sight of the people we are there to serve.

I extend my deepest condolences to Nancy’s husband, Michael, her daughters and grandchildren, and to all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her.

Connecticut is a better state because Nancy Wyman chose to serve it. May her memory — and her example of compassionate, determined public service — continue to inspire us.

I’m pleased to share that Weston has been awarded $124,305 through Connecticut’s new High-Quality Special Education Incentive Grant Program.

The program, established through legislation approved by the General Assembly, provides $10.6 million in grants to 41 special education programs across Connecticut. These investments are designed to help school districts strengthen and expand high-quality, in-district special education services, giving more students with disabilities the opportunity to learn alongside their peers in their own communities.

Weston’s $124,305 award will help support efforts to provide students with the resources, services, and individualized support they need to learn and thrive.

As a state, we have a responsibility to ensure every student has access to a high-quality education that meets their individual needs. I’m proud to support investments that strengthen our schools, support educators and families, and help more students succeed in their home communities.

This funding is an important step forward for students with disabilities and the Weston community.

Today I attended the UI and SCG trade internship graduation ceremony, celebrating Bridgeport-area high school students who successfully completed the program. 

The ceremony included newly graduated interns demonstrating responses to a mock situation on utility poles, as well as a ground gas leak. 

As the graduation showed, the program provided students with valuable hands-on experience and an opportunity to explore careers in the skilled trades. The program is the brainchild of our 38-year line worker Moses Rams. Since 2023, this summertime eight-week paid internship has resulted in 37 highly professional graduates, majority placing in local good paying union jobs servicing maintaining and repairing our energy lines to our homes, businesses and hospitals in all kinds of weather.

I was proud to join students, mentors, educators, and industry leaders in recognizing their hard work and accomplishments. 

I’m proud to have earned a 100% score from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) on its 2026 Environmental Scorecard.

Protecting our environment and building a strong economy aren’t competing priorities—they go hand in hand. We can protect Connecticut’s natural resources while creating good jobs, supporting local businesses, encouraging innovation, and keeping our state competitive.

Good environmental policy means making responsible choices that work for Connecticut today while protecting the opportunities and quality of life we want for our children and grandchildren.

I’m proud of this 100% score, and I’ll keep working to protect our environment, strengthen our economy, and build a healthier, more sustainable Connecticut for everyone.

The Connecticut Office of Legislative Research (OLR) published its official 2026 Bill Tracking Report

in August 2026. This non-partisan document details of the final status of legislation from the 2026 session, including where concepts from failed bills may have been merged into other successful measures. 

• Find the full tracking document and related summaries directly on the Connecticut OLR Special Reports

  page.

• Browse individual bill analyses and general research through the main Connecticut Office of Legislative Research
  

  portal.

The 2026 Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week has started and runs through Aug. 22. The week provides a chance for families to save money, whether it is taking children back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.

During this week, sales or purchases of certain clothing or footwear items costing less than $300 per item are exempt from sales tax. This exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as from online retailers. There are, however, certain items that are excluded from the scope of the Sales Tax Free Week exemption. The following items are excluded from the scope of the Sales Tax Free Week exemption:

• Any special clothing or footwear primarily designed for athletic activity or protective use that is not normally worn except when used for the athletic activity or protective use for which it was designed; and
• Jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, and similar items carried on or about the human body but not worn on the body in the manner characteristic of clothing.
• Click here for a list of items that ARE EXEMPT from sales tax and a list of items STILL TAXABLE.

This legislative session, we passed a state budget to expand eligibility during Sales Tax Free Week, making this the first year Sales Tax Free Week includes items such as clothing, shoes, and backpacks priced under $300, up from $100 in previous years.

Click here for more information on Connecticut's Sales Tax Free Week and frequently asked questions.