State Capitol Update For The Week of January 29
January 29, 2026
Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of January 29.
Click the image below to view my video on this week’s events.
Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Issues Caucus Recap. Click here.
- Property Tax Relief on Farmland. Click here.
- Access Health Enrollment Deadline Extended and Special Enrollment Period Begins. Click here.
- ICYMI - CAS Heart of the Arts Submissions. Click here.
- ICYMI - CT Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Enhancement Grants Available. Click here.
- First Day of Session. Click here.
- Northwest Corner Events. Click here.
To prepare for the upcoming legislative session, my colleagues in the House met to discuss our priorities for the upcoming session. It’s an opportunity to hear from committee chairs (each of whom presented their top priorities this year), and also to hear what constituents across the state are experiencing. Some of the proposals concerned providing resources to help communities, others were about providing financial relief or making government work more efficiently and responsively.
With the reminder that this is a short session this year (about three months, which goes by very fast), and that the two-year budget we passed last year is very tight, we all know that only a few of those proposed bills will make it across the finish line this year. Many good ideas take a few years to become workable, however, so the conversation is always valuable.
Property Tax Relief on Farm Land
Connecticut will prevent dramatic increases in property tax assessments on farmland, forestland, open space, and maritime heritage land that could permanently change its' use.
Preserving Connecticut’s farmland and open spaces is critical to maintaining a reliable source of food, conserving our natural resources, and promoting the welfare and happiness of our residents.
Access Health Enrollment Deadline Extended, Special Enrollment Period Begins February 1
Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, has announced that the final deadline to enroll in a health or dental plan for 2026 has been extended to Saturday, January 31. Customers who enroll now will have coverage starting February 1. Customers can also renew their coverage.
Visit Access Health CT's website for more information.
Access Health CT also announced that a Special Enrollment Period will begin on February 1 for eligible Connecticut residents.
The new state subsidy is designed to help residents affected by the expiration of enhanced federal tax credits. Eligibility includes:
- Households earning 100%–200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program
- Households earning over 400% and up to 500% FPL
Eligible residents who are already enrolled in a 2026 health plan will see the subsidy applied directly to their insurance bill.
Free enrollment help is available online, in person, and by phone in over 100 languages, including Spanish. Residents can visit AccessHealthCT.com, click “Get Help,” or call 1-855-805-4325 for assistance.
ICYMI - CT Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Enhancement Grants Available
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2026 Agricultural Enhancement Grant Program, which supports projects that strengthen agricultural viability across the state.
Eligible municipalities, regional councils of governments, and agricultural nonprofits may apply for grants ranging from $500 to $49,999, with applications due February 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Priority areas include youth and urban agriculture, food hubs and supply chain improvements, and farmland access. Grant details, application materials, and webinar information are available on the Agricultural Enhancement Grant website.
The 2026 legislative session will kick off next Wednesday, February 4th. My colleagues and I are gearing up for a busy short session, working hard to pass critical legislation through May 6th.
Follow along at CT-N.com and stay tuned here for updates!
If you want to learn more about various topics that may be discussed during the upcoming legislative session, check out the 2026 Major Issues Report. This report provides brief summaries of issues that the General Assembly could potentially tackle in 2026.
Click here to access the document.
The Congregational Church of Salisbury invites the community to its First Friday Music program on Friday, February 6 at 12:00 p.m. at 30 Main Street, Salisbury. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
This month’s performance features Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem, presented by a 15-voice chorus of professional soloists, accompanied on piano by Music Director David Baranowski.
ICYMI
The Sharon Energy and Environment Commission invites residents and business owners to a free public information session on Thursday, February 5, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at Sharon Town Hall (63 Main Street).
Learn how to save money and energy with a no-cost Home Energy Solutions assessment, which can help households save an average of $180 per year. The session will cover available services, eligibility, and how to get started.
All Sharon residents and business owners are welcome. Questions? Contact seecct@gmail.com
The Sharon Energy & Environment Commission, Sharon Land Trust, and the Sharon Audubon Center are hosting a free, three-part lecture and workshop series focused on the role native and invasive plants play in shaping our local landscapes.
Led by organic land care expert Michael Nadeau, the series is designed for homeowners, landowners, and professional landscapers seeking practical, science-based guidance on managing invasive species and supporting native plants.
Participants may attend one, two, or all three sessions—each workshop stands alone, while together they provide a deeper understanding of how land care choices can improve habitat, biodiversity, and long-term landscape health.
The next event, Villains In Your Backyard: Practical Strategies For Managing Invasive Plants On Your Land, will be held on Saturday, February 21.
Click here to learn more.
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It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.
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Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative
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