Happy Thanksgiving, Around the District, and Addressing Federal Cuts & Housing

November 24, 2025

November has turned out to be busier than ever – and since I know you too are busy this week, I've added a new section, Around the District, highlighting photos to update you on recent events and meetings. If you're interested in deeper dive into policy updates, you'll find that in the Special Session section below. 

I do wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving whether you celebrate here at home or afar. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, a day to pause, gather, and reconnect with loved ones over a meal. 
This year especially, I am grateful for all the opportunities we have to talk with one another in order to find ways to bridge the divides we sometimes feel. Thanksgiving reminds us that we can move forward together by learning, listening, and working toward a future we can all share with hope and gratitude.

And in the spirit of the holiday, it seems only fitting that we address the longstanding culinary Thanksgiving Day table debate: whole cranberry sauce, whipped mousse, or the classic canned cylinder with the grooves still on it?! Which one makes or breaks your meal? Check below to see my favorite!

As always, send me an email anytime with your questions, and if you like what you read, please forward this email to share this information with a friend!

Wishing you a happy and restful Thanksgiving,

Savet Constantine
State Representative
 

Around the District

It was an honor to congratulate Wilton’s newly elected municipal officers as they took their oaths of office last week at Wilton Old Town Hall. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated public servants on all the town boards, and I’m grateful for their commitment to our community.

On Veteran’s Day, our schools and towns hosted events to honor our veterans - commemorating a day to reinforce the meaning of service and express our gratitude to those who serve.

In addition to the service at the Wilton Veteran’s Memorial and Waveny LifeCare, I also had the pleasure of attending “Take a Veteran to School Day” at Cider Mill School, a tradition that holds a special place in my heart. Students welcomed local veterans to honor their service, creating a meaningful exchange that helps children better understand the sacrifice and commitment our veterans have made. I remember my own children experiencing this event when they were in elementary school, and it remains a truly rewarding day for everyone involved.

Another highlight was participating in a conference focused on shaping Connecticut’s economic and technological future, featuring Wilton’s own Christina Lampe-Onnerud, Founder & CEO of Cadenza Innovation. Her leadership in advancing safe, high-performance battery technology is inspiring and positions Connecticut at the forefront of clean-tech innovation.

And finally, I want to acknowledge some of the donation events taking place in all of our towns. Thank you to everyone who took part in the Wilton Woman’s Club Annual Fall Fashion Show. The generosity on display was remarkable — together, we collected donations to support Open Doors in Norwalk, helping neighbors in need as winter approaches. If you would like to get involved, check www.wiltonwomansclub.com. 

And, on Saturday, I had the privilege of joining the Hindu Community of Wilton for the delivery of more than $29,000 and more than 13,000 pounds of food to local food pantries including The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Person to Person, and Malta House. This is but a portion of the donations made all over Connecticut this past week.

Many local pantries rely on this network to help fill the needs of our communities. It was so impressive to see our youth stepping forward to help with the urgent need for food assistance in commemoration of SewaDiwali.
 

Special Session

On Wednesday, November 12, I joined my colleagues in the Connecticut House of Representatives for a special session to debate several critical bills. One of the most significant actions we took was approving state funds to offset federal budget cuts that are already impacting families, essential programs, and core services across Connecticut.
Both the House and Senate voted to establish a $500 million federal emergency relief fund, ensuring our state has a financial backstop to protect residents if federal support is reduced or withdrawn. These resources will keep vital programs such as SNAP, WIC, and LIHEAP operating without interruption should federal funding be disrupted.

The $500 million fund is drawn from the $1.08 billion in revenue that exceeded projections from second-quarter tax filings, with any unused funds to be deposited into the state pension system at the close of FY26. Together, we are taking responsible, proactive steps to protect Connecticut families and preserve the essential services that so many rely on every day.

We also took up House Bill 8002 – An Act Concerning Housing Growth. This bill originated with HB 5002 from the spring session, which the Governor vetoed, and stakeholders had been meeting all summer and fall to address key issues people had regarding the bill.
The measure aims to encourage the redevelopment of underused properties—including vacant office buildings, aging strip malls, and underutilized parking lots—and to promote transit-oriented development that better connects residents to jobs, schools, and public transportation without increasing traffic on our roads. Equally important, the bill includes strong protections for our forests, farms, and open spaces, helping to preserve the natural beauty of our state while supporting more walkable, environmentally friendly communities.

After careful review, I ultimately voted no. My concerns, which were also raised by many local officials, centered on:

  • the ability for the state to develop on state owned land without municipal approval
  • the need for additional sewer and infrastructure funding
  • the proposed changes to minimum parking requirements.

I also believe that all municipalities would have benefited from a longer implementation timeline, along with more tangible support from the state to help towns prepare for the changes envisioned in the bill. 

After Thanksgiving, I will be holding meetings around the district to discuss any of the above bills, and more, and answer your questions. Stay tuned for dates in the next newsletter!
I shared my concerns with the bill with Majority Leader Jason Rojas,
who co-introduced the legislation.

Moving forward, this legislation is intended to promote a balanced, practical approach to housing by empowering communities to plan for responsible, data-driven growth in partnership with state, local, and regional stakeholders. While everyone agrees that more work lies ahead, I remain committed to working with my colleagues—both here in our towns and in Hartford—to ensure we are preparing thoughtfully for the future needs of our communities.

We all share the goals of expanding housing opportunities, supporting local economic vitality, and ensuring we have a diverse range of housing options that meet the needs of our residents—from young people looking to establish themselves here to seniors who want to downsize and remain in the community they love.

You may be interested in some additional provisions in the bill, as follows:

Strengthening Local Housing and Fair Rent Commissions

The bill lowers the threshold to 15,000 residents to ensure more towns establish a Fair Rent Commission (or join with a neighboring town), improving local capacity to address the evolving housing needs of residents.

Pilot Program: Mobile Shower & Laundry Services for the Homeless

This pilot will provide dignity and basic necessities to individuals experiencing homelessness—people who often find themselves without housing due to illness, job loss, sudden rent increases, or other unexpected crises. Connecticut currently has approximately 3,735 individuals experiencing homelessness, including families with children.

I hope this program is a successful bridge until we establish a more robust, long-term statewide strategy. Connecticut was once a leader in preventing and reducing homelessness, and we should strive to lead again

Fire Safety Improvements for Mobile Home Parks

The bill requires mobile home parks to maintain sufficient water pressure to ensure fire hydrants function properly in an emergency. This measure follows two recent mobile home park fires where inadequate water pressure worsened the damage and risk to residents.
 

Food Donations Needed Over Holiday Season

Senator Ceci Maher and I toured the Wilton Food Pantry last week and saw firsthand the generosity our community is showing as we head into the holiday season.

While the shelves are full today, more than 130 families rely on this pantry every week — and with Thanksgiving just around the corner, the need is especially great. If you’re able, please continue to open your heart and support our neighbors who are counting on us now more than ever.

Wilton Food Pantry:

  • Drop off non-perishables at Comstock Monday 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., and between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
  • Drop off non-perishables at bins by doors at Village Market and Stop & Shop
  • Send checks or grocery gift cards to WCAF, P.O. Box 7051 Wilton, CT 06897
  • CLICK HERE for more information

Please click on the image below to see video of our tour.

In addition to the Wilton Food Pantry, please consider donating to any of the events and organizations listed below.

Ridgefield Food Pantry:

  • Click here to donate
  • Checks and/or card donations can also be mailed to: Town Hall  "Emergency Fund," 400 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877

New Canaan Food Pantry:

  • Click here to donate
  • Drop off non-perishables at the New Canaan YMCA main entrance at the new Community Cupboard. Donations will be delivered to the New Canaan Food Pantry

Filling in the Blanks:

  • Click here to donate
  • Each $10 donation provides a weekend meal bag for a child in need
  • Consider volunteering – it’s fun with a group of friends too! Register here

2-1-1:

  • Click here to find food programs and services available through 211 Connecticut.

Connecticut Foodshare: 

  • Click here to find a Connecticut Foodshare food or mobile food pantry in a no questions asked, outdoor “farmers market” setting
  • Items offered typically include fresh produce and other perishable foods
  • Review these frequently asked questions to learn more
  • Click here for a map with dates and times of mobile pantry locations
  • Text FOODSHARE to 85511 and follow the prompts

Social Service Departments:
 

Cranberry Thanksgiving Debate

Finally, onto the eternal Thanksgiving question! While those of us who are old enough to remember when the canned, grooved cylinder was the ONLY option at the table, I am thankful for the surfeit of cranberry recipes these days, in particular my favorite fresh whole cranberries with a touch of orange peel – and lots of sugar!