Updates from State Rep. Anne Hughes for Jan. 7, 2026

January 7, 2026

I joined four other Connecticut legislators and more than 100 lawmakers from 29 states in urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reject a proposed federal rule that would roll back protections for over 80% of the nation’s wetlands and waterways.

In a joint letter (coverage from CT News Junkie can be found here), we called on federal officials to maintain the current “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) protections that safeguard clean drinking water, public health, and local economies.

It's pretty simple, yet nothing really seems so these days. Clean water protections enjoy overwhelming public support and are critical to preventing flooding, supporting outdoor recreation, and protecting ecosystems. Weakening federal safeguards will threaten community health and shift costly and unmanageable responsibilities onto states.

Let’s work together to demand that these basic protections remain in place. Weakening our wetlands and waterways' health literally threatens our own health and lives.

In the Trenches

One of the best antidotes to anger is healthy, proactive, collective action, exercising our constitutional rights.

The abduction of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, followed by efforts to install and direct governance from outside Venezuela, represents a dramatic, illegal, unconstitutional overreach that undermines international law, the sovereignty of a nation, and the longstanding principles that should guide American foreign policy.

This unilateral military intervention — condemned by legal experts and world leaders alike as a breach of the United Nations Charter and the prohibition on force without Security Council authorization — sets a dangerous precedent that erodes global stability and damages our nation’s moral standing.

Make no mistake. This is about Venezuela's oil reserves, not its role in the global drug trade.

Last weekend I stood with other Connecticut residents in protest of this rogue federal administration.

First Coffee Hour in the Books

In more hopeful news, my first coffee hour of 2026 was a big success! I'm looking forward to hosting more during the upcoming session.

Speaking of which, we start back up in the first week in February. I encourage all of the residents of the 135th District to share with me their thoughts, comments, questions and concerns to take back to Hartford.

To that end, if you’re in my district, you may have gotten or will get one of my surveys in the mail: fill it out and send it back, or take it online, about your thoughts on legislative priorities for this upcoming Session! We love getting your responses! Let’s make good policy together!

Access Health CT Deadline Extended

Access Health CT has extended the final deadline to enroll in a health or dental plan for 2026 to Saturday, Jan. 31. Customers who enroll or renew now will have coverage starting Feb. 1.

Recent federal changes mean the amount of financial help available and who is eligible has changed. However, Connecticut has stepped up which means that financial assistance is still available.

Some customers might qualify for new state subsidies or other low- or no-cost coverage options, including the Covered CT Program or HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com and click the “Get Help” button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them, including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site or attending an enrollment fair. Help is available in over 100 languages.

Free help to sign up is available online, in person and over the phone.

Emergency Energy Assistance

The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program opened on Jan. 2, and will run through Saturday, Jan. 10. This program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses.

Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.

All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% SMI gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill. For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant, GPCT strongly encourages households to apply for assistance when you are most in need. After the January application period, GPCT has one remaining Energy Assistance Application Cycle this season: