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Dear Neighbors and Friends,
I hope this message finds you and your family well! The 2025 legislative session officially came to an end, and it has been an honor to serve as your State Representative. This session, we were able to pass a biennial budget that puts families first and many great bills that address issues across the state.
In this newsletter you will find:
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As we approach the Fourth of July, I hope you'll join me in taking a moment to reflect on the true meaning of this important holiday. Independence Day is not just about fireworks and cookouts – it's about honoring the ideals of freedom, democracy, and the generations of Americans who have fought to protect them.
It's also a time to come together with our neighbors and celebrate what unites us. In a world that often feels divided, our shared values and sense of community matter more than ever.
I wish you and your family a happy and safe Fourth of July. May it be filled with joy, reflection, and connection. |
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New Laws Effective July 1
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| Several new laws that were passed during the 2025 legislative session take effect on Tuesday, July 1. Please see below to read about some of them! |
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Our two-year, $55.8 billion budget takes effect July 1. This bill reflects our shared values, marked by historic investments in children through expanded funding for special education and childcare. Our budget strengthens support for working families and ensures that the essential work of nonprofits is both valued and financially supported.
We approved billions of dollars to be used for school construction, transportation infrastructure, housing assistance, and many more local initiatives through our annual bond funding package.
Our students will soon learn about three essential topics in the classroom: civics, media literacy, and Asian American and Pacific Islander history. Under two bills passed in 2022 and 2023, students will gain an understanding of what it means to be an active and engaged citizen, how to analyze the modern media landscape, and the rich history of the AAPI community in our state and the entire country.
Our elections will soon be more secure and transparent as video recording technology will be added to every absentee ballot drop box in our state. This new law will record the drop boxes from the first day that ballots are issued up through when the clerk retrieves the final ballots, and all of these recordings will be made available to the public.
A novel, landmark bill supporting public libraries struggling to afford the skyrocketing costs of e-books and digital audiobooks will go into effect July 1. The bill bars libraries from entering into or renewing expensive contracts and licensing agreements with publishers. The measure positions Connecticut as a national leader in this arena and marks a significant step toward transparency, equity, and sustainability in how libraries acquire and provide digital resources to the public.
Many more bills are going into effect July 1, including one that reforms Connecticut's towing system, one that requires financial literacy instruction in school, and more.
You can click the link below for the full list of laws going into effect, and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. |
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| As always, your calls, emails, and testimony at our public hearings directly influenced these new laws. Please continue to share your views and have your voice heard at the Capitol! |
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Governor Lamont has officially signed Connecticut's biennial budget for FY 26 and FY 27.
As the CT Mirror’s budget reporter pointed out: “The state House of Representatives adopted a $55.8 billion two-year budget early Tuesday that invests in child care and K-12 education, provides a $250 tax cut to working poor families...” Tax relief for working families; investing in education and special education; transformative funding for childcare and early childhood education; and standing up for nonprofit service providers are the pillars of the next state budget.
Our budget reflects shared values, marked by historic investments in children through expanded funding for special education and childcare. It strengthens support for working families and ensures that the essential work of nonprofits is both valued and financially supported. These organizations are on the frontlines every day, serving our most vulnerable neighbors. This budget affirms and reinforces their vital role in building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.
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This budget stands up for:
HISTORIC NEW FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION
- $40 million for Excess Cost Grant in each of next two years
- $30 million for Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program
- $20 million in bonding to expand and upgrade special education facilities
- $10 million in bonding for capital development
- $10 million for Governor's Incentive District Grant
- Hold harmless funding for Education Cost Sharing, so no school district sees a cut
CHILDCARE
- Investible trust to provide sustainable funding for new childcare programs
- Funding for direct healthcare of our children through DSS Medicaid
NONPROFIT PROVIDERS
- Access to better health care and nonprofit community providers
- $150 million for groups homes and nursing homes
- More than $60 million in Medicaid rate increases, which will benefit nonprofit providers
TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES
- Targeted, meaningful relief and long-term support for working families
- Refundable tax credit of $250 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) framework
- $500 refundable tax credit for home daycare owners that recognizes and sustains the vital care workforce
- Tax credit for employers who contribute to their employees' CHET accounts
This is a budget that works for the people — one that safeguards essential services, uplifts communities, and lays the foundation for a future where every resident is supported and protected.
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The Downtown Stamford Farmers Market is back every Saturday from 9 am - 1 pm now through October 25th. This is a great chance to shop a wide variety of locally made products, including produce, flowers, baked goods, and more. WIC and SNAP are accepted!Click here to view a list of vendors and more information
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Join Orchestra Lumos' brass musicians for a free outdoor concert on July 15th in Veterans Park. Bring your folding chairs and blankets to enjoy free music starting at 6 pm.
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The Stamford Department of Health and Human Services will hold an Air Quality Monitoring Program Community Meeting to discuss progress, how to sign up for alerts, and more. The meeting will take place at the Ferguson Library on the 3rd Floor from 5:30 - 6:30 pm.
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As always, whenever anything is top of mind for you and I can be of help, please contact me at (860) 240-8585 or email me directly at eilish.collinsmain@cga.ct.gov.
Warm Regards,
Eilish Collins Main
State Representative |
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