Legislative Work In Full Swing

February 13, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Below you will find the following sections in today's email:

  • Legislative Work In Full Swing
  • Affordability Is a Priority in Waterbury
  • Growth of CT State Naugatuck Valley 
 

Legislative Work In Full Swing

Now that session is in full swing, I am working closely with my colleagues to craft bills in the Appropriations, Environment, and Transportation Committees. These committees play a critical role in shaping our state budget, protecting our natural resources, and strengthening the infrastructure that keeps our communities connected and moving.

In addition to drafting bills, we are hearing testimony from key stakeholders, advocates, experts, and constituents to ensure our decisions are informed by real-world experience. Public input is essential to the legislative process, and these conversations help us better understand the challenges residents face and the solutions that will have the greatest impact.

By combining thoughtful policy development with meaningful community engagement, we are working to deliver responsible, forward-looking legislation that supports families, protects our environment, and invests in Connecticut’s future.
 

Affordability Is a Priority in Waterbury
Several municipal leaders from our state's largest cities, including Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski, recently came together to outline their priorities for the legislative session. A clear theme emerged: Waterbury and other cities need meaningful support to keep our communities affordable and sustainable for working families.

One way of tackling that issue is strengthening funding for public education, particularly for special education, so municipalities are not raising taxes or handling rising costs alone due to inflation. When we properly fund our schools, we ease pressure on local property taxes and invest directly in our children’s success.
 
The main priorities include:

  • Education funding, especially special education support
  • Affordable housing development
  • Addressing a spike in homelessness

These issues are deeply connected to affordability and quality of life in Waterbury and throughout our state. I look forward to working with my colleagues to tackle these challenges head on in 2026.
 

Growth of CT State Naugatuck Valley

I was glad to take part in a great conversation last week at the CT State Naugatuck Valley legislative breakfast about the future of the college. It was exciting to hear that enrollment is up 7% and that students are taking advantage of more than 300 academic programs and 150 workforce programs.
It’s clear that CT State Naugatuck Valley continues to play a vital role in preparing students for success, whether they’re pursuing a degree or building skills for today’s workforce.