Updates from State Rep. Anne Hughes for Dec. 10, 2025

December 10, 2025



 

 

Last Friday I took part in a news conference outside Easton Town Hall to celebrate the town’s designation as Connecticut’s Christmas tree capital and honored the farmers who are sustaining Easton’s agricultural heritage.

It was also an opportunity to remind people of the importance of buying local, and that many historic farms statewide have closed in recent years due to operational and financial challenges.

Easton, which received the designation in 2021, has become a holiday destination for residents across Connecticut and New York, who often cut their own trees and visit the bucolic farms stands as part of family traditions. The annual recognition honors the generations of farmers who helped build Easton’s reputation and contribute significantly to our local agri-tourism economy.

#ChristmastreecapitalofCT

Click here and here for news coverage.
 

Recognizing Citizens' Election Program

Last weekend, the Connecticut Citizen Action Group held its awards ceremony and also recognized 20 years of Connecticut's Citizens' Election Program.

Speakers highlighted how difficult it was for progressive candidates to run for state office before the program was enacted, when the maximum donation was much higher than it is now.

Those with wealthy connections could raise a fortune quickly. My colleague and friend Jillian Gilchrest is running Congress. She noted there is no CEP on the federal level, and the max donation is much higher, a system that heavily skews toward entrenched incumbents and candidates backed by the ultrawealthy. 

I was proud to be a part of CCAG's evening and am hopeful that we can see such election reform at the federal level.
 

Visit to the CT Humane Society

Last week I visited the CT Humane Society in Newington with fellow legislators.

We met with managers to discuss issues surrounding care and finding new families for cats, dogs, and some smaller animals. And we were given a tour of the facility. The staff and volunteers at CHS do an amazing job.

We are pleased to hear that the Humane Society has suspended accepting truckloads of stray dogs/cats from southern states, but continues to accept and rehome strays from surrounding states. Track the available pets for adoption on their website here: https://cthumane.org/ 

Speaking of animals, Rep. Renee LaMark Muir (pictured here on the tour) and I are finalizing recommendations from our Animal Control Working Group to update standards, training, reporting and additional resources for our municipal animal control officers.

In working on the recommendations, the group has met with many Connecticut animal control officers, who work so hard to keep our animals and public safe. We expect to release in January the recommendations from this diligent group’s work.
 

Holiday Boutique in Easton

All items at the Holiday Boutique at the Easton Senior Center are half-off through Dec. 22. The boutique is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be a large assortment of assortment of new items for holiday gift giving, including Christmas items, housewares and jewelry. All proceeds will go to benefit the town's seniors.
 

Notre Dame of Easton Christmas Pageant

Notre Dame of Easton Church's tree lighting and Christmas pageant will take place at 655 Morehouse Road on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 5 p.m.
 

Menorah Lighting in Redding

Redding's Menorah Lighting will take place on the Town Green on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.
 

Menorah Lighting in Weston

The Weston Menorah Lighting Celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Weston Shopping Center at 6 p.m.
 

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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