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| Many generations, celebrating one spirit of beloved community in this well-loved slice of Creation. |
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| Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over |
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As Labor Day weekend approaches, Connecticut is joining the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. From now through Sept. 7, increased patrols by state and local law enforcement will target impaired and dangerous drivers.
If your celebrations include alcohol or cannabis, plan a sober ride home before you leave. Designate a sober driver, use a rideshare, taxi, or public transportation, and never drive while impaired. If a friend is about to drive impaired, take their keys and help them find a safe way home.
Impaired driving remains a leading cause of preventable traffic deaths. In Connecticut, 105 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes in 2024—34% of all traffic fatalities that year.
Please help keep our roads safe: plan ahead, look out for one another, and call 911 when it is safe to report a suspected impaired driver. No celebration is worth risking a life. |
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| School in Session Means Drive Safely |
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Speaking of safe driving, now that the new school year is underway, drivers also need to remember to stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights and slow down in school zones. We have strengthened Connecticut’s laws to hold drivers accountable and help keep our children safe.
Under state law, drivers who fail to stop for a school bus displaying its flashing red lights face a $450 fine for the first offense. A second offense carries a $500 to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both.
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Beginning Oct. 1, drivers who violate the school bus stopping law for a third or subsequent time will also face a six-month suspension of their driver’s license.
Reminder: Drivers must stop at least 10 feet from the front or back of a school bus displaying its flashing red lights and remain until the lights are no longer displayed.
Please slow down, pay attention, and give our students the protection they deserve. |
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| Generation Power Application Cycles |
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Help could be on the way for those struggling to pay for electric, gas, and fuel costs. Generation Power CT announced its application cycles for the Emergency Energy Assistance Program, and eligible households can apply as soon as next week. The program accepts applications on the following dates:
- Cycle #1: Sept. 1 - 15
- Cycle #2: Dec. 1 - 15
- Cycle #3: March 1 - 15, 2027
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| Help for CT Graduate Students |
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Connecticut graduate students may have access to a state-supported student loan program offering fixed interest rates as low as 5.50%, with several repayment options and terms.
The program offers:
- Fixed rates from 5.50% to 7.99%, depending on the repayment option and term.
- 5-, 10-, and 15-year repayment terms.
- Options for immediate principal and interest repayment, interest-only payments, or fully deferred payments. The fully deferred option is available for a limited time.
- A 0.25% interest-rate reduction for borrowers enrolled in automatic ACH payments.
- No prepayment penalty and no application deadline.
- Loan amounts starting at $2,000, with annual borrowing up to the student's net cost of education.
- Students may qualify based on future expected earnings, current income, or co-signer income.
Eligible borrowers generally must be Connecticut residents attending a nonprofit, degree-granting institution of higher education in the United States. Residents of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont may also qualify when attending an eligible Connecticut institution. Co-signers must reside in one of these states.
The program's fixed rates are currently lower than Grad PLUS rates, and approved borrowers have equal access to the same fixed rates.
Please note: A 2% origination fee may apply, and eligibility for fully deferred repayment is limited and does not guarantee eligibility for future loans.
Learn More: Review the full program details and eligibility requirements before applying.
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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.
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| 'National Treasure' Screening |
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The Weston Commission for the Arts and the 250 Committee are hosting "Movie Under the stars - 'National Treasure'" on Saturday, Aug. 29, with the rain date of Sunday, Aug. 30, on the Weston Middle School field.
Music starts at 6 p.m. with the film at dusk/8 p.m.
Bring blankets, lawn chairs and family for a fun evening. Tony's Pizza truck will be there as well. |
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| Annual Garden Drive Produce Drive |
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As always, please feel free to contact my office at 800-842-8267 or by email at anne.hughes@cga.ct.gov. And "Like" and follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
Peace,
Anne Hughes
State Representative |
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