Important Special Session Updates, and more

November 14, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday!

I want to begin with a congratulations to the new Groton City Mayor Jill Rusk and City Councillors who were sworn in this week following last week's elections. No matter your political party, we are all united in our goal to see our community succeed, and I look forward to working with you and finding solutions to help our great town!
 

This week the State House and Senate met for a special session to pass a number of critical bills, ranging from an agreement addressing Connecticut's housing crisis, a bill that sets money aside to keep vital federal programs afloat, and more. Please read below for more information on what we got done this week, along with what I've been up to in our district.

You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
 
Around the District

This week I had the pleasure of attending the “Topping Off Ceremony” for the Coast Guard Museum in New London. The exciting next steps has the museum on track to open in 2027. I'm so excited for the city of New London and can't wait to celebrate its proud maritime heritage!
 

For Veterans Day this year, I attended the USSVI Groton Base Veterans Day Ceremony event hosted by the Subvets Groton Clubhouse. We were joined by members from the Australian Navy who are at the Sub base as part of the AUKUS agreement.

It is an honor to represent the Submarine Capitol of the World in the State Legislature and I will always support our Veterans and Active Duty military. Thank you to all those who have bravely served our country.
 
Responding to Cutbacks in Federal Funding

By passing HB 8003, the legislature approved state funds to offset federal budget cuts that already affect families, key programs, and essential services across Connecticut.
 

The funding will cover gaps in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP. Connecticut will not sit by idly as the federal government attacks middle and low-income families.
 
Addressing Connecticut's Housing Crisis

The legislature passed HB 8002 - An Act Concerning Housing Growth to directly address our state's affordable housing crisis.

From retirees looking to downsize, to young professionals and families searching for affordable rentals, Connecticut residents at every stage of life share a common goal: finding a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

Partnerships are at the heart of this effort. The bill empowers towns to plan for responsible, data-driven growth using insights from state, local, and regional partners to meet the housing needs of today and tomorrow. Developed in partnership with municipal leaders, regional councils, colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and Governor Lamont, this legislation creates a collaborative and practical framework through local Housing Growth Plans.

The legislation promotes transit-oriented development that connects residents to jobs, schools, and public transportation. By combining innovation with local control and targeted support, we’re strengthening the partnership between the state and municipalities to modernize infrastructure, and create vibrant, inclusive communities across Connecticut. There’s still more work ahead, but An Act Concerning Housing Growth marks a major step forward in our shared effort to expand housing opportunities, support local economies, and ensure every Connecticut resident can find, and afford, a home in a community they’re proud to call their own.
 
Strengthening Children's Behavioral Health Care

We also passed legislation through a comprehensive bill that continues to build on House Democrats’ commitment to children’s behavioral health care.

Highlights include:

  • Statewide study to assess the demand for children’s behavioral health services and improve data collection
  • New grant program to support care coordination and resource navigation for kids and families
  • Insurance companies must now cover autism treatments, including applied behavior analysis and cognitive behavioral therapy, up to age 26
  • Adding substance abuse treatment providers for children to Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (TCB)  

Together, these measures represent a stronger, more coordinated system of care for Connecticut’s children.
 
Connecticut Expands Early Childhood Program

Thanks to the Early Childhood Education Endowment, an initiative that was passed by the General Assembly in the 2025 legislative session, the expansion of the Early Start CT program in 2026 marks an important step forward in meeting the growing demand for high-quality early childhood care and education across Connecticut.
Beginning in January 2026, up to 1,000 new spaces will be added to the state’s Early Start CT program, expanding access to affordable early learning opportunities for more families. In addition, the state will increase provider payments by up to 8% to help offset operational costs and support higher staff compensation. The endowment supports the governor’s initiative to implement the largest expansion of early childhood education services in Connecticut’s history. We are thrilled about this program and the tremendous benefits it will bring to children, families, and communities across the state.
Early Start CT is a state-funded early care and education program serving income-eligible families with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. The program is administered by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC).
To support this expansion, OEC will soon launch a Request for Applications (RFA) for child care providers interested in offering Early Start CT spaces. The RFA will be open to child care centers, group child care homes, family child care homes, and public school preschool classrooms throughout the state.
Click here for more information on Early Start CT.
 

Sincerely,

Dan Gaiewski
State Representative

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