In 2025, we made meaningful progress by securing historic funding for special education, establishing a new trust to provide sustainable support for child care, and delivering tax relief for working families. Those achievements reflect what’s possible when we work together with a clear sense of purpose.
As we look ahead to 2026, my focus is on building on that momentum—continuing to strengthen our communities, expand opportunity, and ensure Connecticut remains a place where people can afford to live, work, and raise a family. I’m energized by what’s ahead and grateful to continue this important work with you in the year to come.
I'm kicking off the year with three pre-session constituent events, a survey to learn about your priorities, and I always look forward to receiving your emails with specific questions. And if you like what you read, please forward this email to share with a friend!
Savet Constantine
State Representative
| Take My Constituent Survey! |
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While I’ve been recuperating at home from rotator cuff surgery, the work of preparing for the 2026 legislative session has been moving full speed ahead. It’s also a firsthand reminder of why securing a $60K grant for seniors at Stay At Home in Wilton's new Home Safety Program matters. The funding is aimed at preventing simple falls that can quickly become life-disrupting injuries.
With the legislative session officially beginning February 4, my days have been packed with Zoom meetings and deep preparation. I’ve been listening to local businesses about workforce challenges and tax pressures, reviewing the latest revenue projections with the Office of Fiscal Analysis, and hearing directly from educators and nonprofit leaders who are grappling with rising demand for services across Connecticut.
More importantly, I want to make sure I hear from you! Please take a few minutes to complete my constituent survey and share the issues and concerns that matter most to you. Your feedback helps guide my work and ensures I’m representing our community effectively at the Capitol. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. |
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| Upcoming Events You Don't Want To Miss |
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And if you'd rather just talk in person, my next community "coffee" is on Tuesday, January 27 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and will now be held remotely as so many of you have asked for the convenience of joining in from your own home. I hope you can join the conversation on Zoom!
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Then in February, Senator Ceci Maher and I look forward to welcoming residents for an engaging conversation about how laws are made in Connecticut. The Wilton League of Women Voters and Wilton High School are proudly co-sponsoring this event.
We will walk you through the legislative process, step-by-step, showing how a community idea becomes a bill and, ultimately a state law. We will also break down how Connecticut's two-year budget is negotiated and implemented, and what it means for our communities.
Finally, we will highlight how Wilton residents can track legislation, submit testimony, and make their voices heard throughout the process.
This free event will take place on Monday, February 2 at 7 p.m. at in the Brubeck Room at the Wilton Library! We hope you'll join us for this informative discussion. |
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| Education Funding & Legislation |
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| From the development of the Early Childhood Education Endowment to the influx of Special Education funding, 2026 is looking BRIGHT for the future of education in Connecticut. As a member of the Education Committee, I am proud to have supported these measures. |
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| New Laws Effective January, 1, 2026 |
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As we welcome a new year, several laws that we passed in the last legislative session took effect on January 1, 2026.
These new measures address key issues impacting our state and its residents, including:
- improved reporting requirements to better track higher education enrollment, post-secondary credits, and student opportunities
- expanding coverage of certain high-priority biomarker tests that aid in early detection, prevention, and treatment saving both lives and long-term costs
- prohibiting the substitution of lower-priced drugs for higher-priced medications for individuals living with multiple sclerosis and arthritis, and making this ban permanent for medications used to treat mental health disorders
- strengthening protections for workers in sensitive professions
- expanding incentives for farmers and adjusting their farm equipment tax exemption from $100k to $250K for the first time since 1985
- and of course, Connecticut has taken an important step forward by advancing policies that support the development of new and more diverse housing options statewide. Our town planners and Planning & Zoning Commissions currently are examining what we need to do to meet these goals (for our area we have until June 2028 to develop and submit our housing growth plan). I will keep the conversation going to make sure this bill works for us.
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| These updates reflect our ongoing commitment to making Connecticut more affordable, healthier, and a better place to live for everyone. To learn more about these and other laws taking effect on January 1, 2026, click the button below for a complete, easy-to-read summary. |
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| Supporting the 2-1-1 Emergency Help Line |
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United Way of Connecticut has received $2.6 million in new state funding through the Emergency State Response Reserve to strengthen the 2-1-1 Information & Referral hotline, a critical lifeline for residents seeking help with basic needs. This investment will fund 11 additional frontline Contact Center Specialists, expanding the hotline’s capacity at a time when demand is rising sharply across our state.
The need is not far away. Here in the 42nd District, covering all of Wilton and parts of New Canaan and Ridgefield, requests for assistance increased by 81% from November to December, rising from 53 to 96 calls. The greatest needs were related to mental health and addiction services and housing and shelter, underscoring the importance of ensuring timely access to help for individuals and families in our own communities. |
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