First, a severe weather protocol goes into effect tonight, beginning at 5 p.m. through noon tomorrow. Temperatures are expected to dip into the teens with wind chills making it feel even colder.
As you know, the protocol in effect is like an alert to us all to ensure our most vulnerable populations are being cared for in these potentially life-threatening conditions.
The short 2026 legislative session begins on February 4th and ends on May 6th. I have included an item that takes a look at what issues will likely come before us during that time. Take a look below.
More disturbing information has emerged from the Jacqueline "Mimi" Torres-Garcia case.
Lastly, I'm proud to share information about the Yellow Envelope, which is used to store important documents or materials that support communication and/or accommodation needs, allowing police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel to quickly identify when someone may be living with a disability during a traffic stop or emergencies.
As always, if I can be of assistance to you and your family, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at Corey.Paris@cga.ct.gov or call 860-240-8585.
The Office of Legislative Research Report provides brief descriptions of important issues the General Assembly may face in the coming session. Please click on the image below for details.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act dramatically restructures federal student lending by altering borrowing limits, eliminating key loan programs, and accelerating repayment timelines.
Key changes include:
Stricter limits on federal student borrowing
Elimination of the Graduate PLUS Student Loan Program
Phaseout of existing income-driven repayment plans
Beginning July 1, 2026, a substantially narrower set of repayment options for new federal loans comes into play.
Starting in July, students enrolled in programs designated as "professional degrees" will face an annual borrowing cap of $50,000 per year or $200,000 total. Students in other graduate programs will be limited to $20,500 per year or $100,000 total. Notably, nursing degrees, along with degrees in physical therapy, public health, social work, and education, were excluded from the professional designation, despite requiring extensive training, licensure, and certification. These changes raise serious concerns. It is not possible to strengthen our nursing workforce while simultaneously restricting access to the education required to enter the profession. Limiting federal loan availability threatens the pipeline of trained health care professionals and risks exacerbating existing workforce shortages and barriers to care. In response, my colleagues and I are proposing the creation of a new state-level student loan program and expanding access to the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) during the upcoming legislative session.
CHESLA is a state-created, nonprofit agency providing affordable financing, loans, scholarships, and financial literacy resources to help Connecticut students and families pay for college and manage student debt. Connecticut must step up where Washington has stepped back. By establishing a state-level graduate loan program, we can protect students, strengthen our workforce, and ensure that higher education remains a pathway to opportunity, not a barrier, for the professionals our communities urgently rely upon.
Connecticut passed new legislation requiring DSS to spread out SNAP benefit issuance dates throughout the month rather than concentrating them in the first few days.
This change will help reduce congestion at retailers and improve the overall client experience.
Photo credit: CT Insider via Farmington, New Britain Police Departments
Every piece of new information we hear about this case simply flattens me. The outcome of the case will help us determine how we, as legislators, proceed with policy to help ensure cases like these are an increasing rarity. Please click HERE to read the CT Insider article.
Here's a reminder that the final deadline to enroll in a health or dental plan for 2026 has been extended to Saturday, January 31.
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).
The state subsidies will fully fund the expired enhanced premium tax credit amounts for consumers with incomes between 100-200% of the federal poverty level, and who are not enrolled in the Covered CT program.
The state subsidies will also replace 50% of the expired enhanced premium tax credit amounts for those with income over 400% of the federal poverty level and up to 500% of the federal poverty level.
The deadline for nominations for the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) 2026 Heart of the Arts Award has been extended to Friday.
This prestigious award honors students, adults, or groups involved in high school performing or visual arts who exemplify the core values of education-based activities—integrity, citizenship, courage, and good character.
If you know someone who has shown exceptional "Heart,” gone above and beyond to support others in the school community, or overcome significant challenges, nominate them for this award!
The nomination form can be found HERE, while a playlist of past winners can be found HERE.
The Stamford Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), sponsored by the Stamford Public Education Foundation,is looking for parents, grandparents, guardians, or other adults wishing to improve the lives of children, families, and communities to join the free 2026 PLTI initiative beginning this January.
Please click on either flyer below for a link to the application and more information.
Connecticut’s Yellow Envelope Program is about ensuring that everyday interactions are safer and more respectful for people with physical or cognitive disabilities.
Starting this year, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles will begin providing Yellow Envelopes as part of a larger education and training effort for first responders across the state.
This program helps bridge gaps in high-stress moments, when some individuals may need additional tools for disabilities that are not immediately visible. In doing so, the program promotes understanding, patience, and safer outcomes for everyone involved. The Yellow Envelope was modeled after the already-established blue envelope initiative, which started in 2020 and was aimed exclusively to support people with autism. Connecticut also has a green envelopes program, started in 2005, for drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
I am thrilled to welcome our newly elected members to the House of Representatives.
State Rep. Iris Sanchez of New Britain was sworn in this week, replacing Rep. Bobby Sanchez, who became New Britain's new mayor, and State Rep-elect Larry Pemberton Jr. won the 139th General Assembly District open seat left by our esteemed colleague Kevin Ryan, who passed away in December.
As our legislative session kicks off on February 4th, we are grateful to have every seat filled and ready to get to work. Congratulations colleagues!
