The last few weeks have been packed with site visits, community events, legislative forums and bill signings, and I am grateful for every opportunity to connect with you.
In this week’s newsletter, I’m highlighting Connecticut’s new AI law, which lays out an important framework for a safer, more transparent AI future. I’ll also share updates from our legislative wrap-up forum, where so many of you came out to ask thoughtful questions about the issues that matter most, from AI and the state budget to environmental progress and universal school breakfast.
We also touched on bills that did not quite make it over the finish line this year, but remain important priorities, including cell phone-free schools and allowing in-home dental hygienist visits for homebound seniors. Those are conversations I look forward to continuing next session.
And finally, keep an eye out for the many upcoming 250th Anniversary celebrations happening across the state. Events begin the week before the Fourth, including the New Canaan Parade on Saturday, June 28th, to help kick off the festivities!
As always, I look forward to hearing from you.
Savet Constantine
State Representative |
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| Connecticut Enacts AI Safety Law |
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Connecticut took an important step forward in protecting children, workers, consumers, and families in an AI-driven world with the signing of Public Act 26-15, the C.A.R.T. Act.
As a member of the AI Caucus and a proud co-sponsor of this legislation, I believe this law matters because AI is no longer a future issue. It is already shaping what our children see online, how workers are evaluated, how consumers interact with businesses, and how information moves through our daily lives. |
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One of the most urgent parts of this bill is its focus on children. Social media platforms and AI systems are designed to hold attention, gather data, and influence behavior. For young people, especially, that can mean more time online, more exposure to harmful content, and more interaction with systems that may not be safe, transparent, or accountable.
The C.A.R.T. Act begins to put meaningful guardrails around those risks by addressing youth online safety, harmful chatbot interactions, late-night notifications, and algorithm-driven content. |
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| Happy to catch up with Nick from Ridgefield and to celebrate with the governor |
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As a member of the Energy and Technology Committee, I am a huge advocate and believer in the progress technology can bring us. This bill is about making sure technology serves people, not the other way around.
The law also creates transparency when AI is used in employment decisions, strengthens accountability for powerful AI systems, supports responsible innovation, and helps prepare our students, workers, businesses, and public institutions for the changes already underway.
Connecticut is helping build an AI framework that recognizes both the promise and the risks of this technology. We can encourage innovation and economic growth while also saying clearly that children should not be treated as engagement metrics, workers deserve fairness, consumers deserve transparency, and human accountability must remain at the center. |
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| It was rewarding to connect with Wilton High School graduate Jason, a student at Bowdoin College and intern with the Attorney General's office this summer. |
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Thank you to Governor Ned Lamont, Senator James Maroney, Representative Hubert Delany, Attorney General William Tong, our AI Caucus, General Law leadership, and the many advocates, experts, parents, workers, and stakeholders who helped move this landmark legislation forward.
The AI future is already here. Connecticut is making sure we meet it with responsibility, transparency, and public trust. |
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| State Budget Signed Into Law |
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The governor has signed our bipartisan state budget into law, making significant investments in education, affordability, and long-term stability while delivering meaningful support to communities across Connecticut.
The budget strengthens public education by expanding funding for schools with free school breakfast and free lunch for students who qualify for reduced-priced meals. It also provides additional aid to municipalities and dedicates another $1 billion toward reducing the state’s long-term pension obligations, helping to secure Connecticut’s financial future.
For Wilton, Ridgefield, and New Canaan, the budget includes an additional $70,000 for each town to help offset rising costs and support local services. At a time when residents and municipalities alike are carefully managing their budgets, these funds will provide valuable flexibility and relief. |
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The budget also takes important steps to make Connecticut more affordable for working families. It includes an additional $300 million investment in the Early Childhood Education Endowment, building on leadership and advocacy of Senator Ceci Maher and many others who have championed access to quality early childhood education.
This investment moves Connecticut closer to the goal of providing free early childhood education through Early Start CT for families earning up to $100,00 annually, helping parents save money, strengthening our workforce, and giving children a strong foundation for success.
By investing in our students, supporting our towns, and making it easier for families to thrive, this bipartisan budget delivers real results for our communities today while laying the groundwork for a stronger future. |
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| Post-Session Town Hall in Wilton |
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| Thank you to everyone who joined Senator Ceci Maher and me for our post-session town hall at the Wilton Library. We appreciated the opportunity to connect with residents, share updates on the 2026 legislative session, and discuss the issues that matter most to our community. |
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During the event, we highlighted several of the bills and initiatives passed this year that will impact local families, including investments in education, efforts to make Connecticut more affordable, and expanded voting access. Just as importantly, we heard thoughtful questions, concerns, and ideas from constituents about the challenges facing our communities and our state.
These conversations are an important part of the legislative process. They help ensure that the voices of Wilton, Ridgefield, and New Canaan residents are heard at the Capitol and help guide our work moving forward. |
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| Ensuring No Child Goes Hungry |
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I was proud to join my colleagues, Representatives Travis Simms, Dominique Johnson, Jonathan Steinberg, and House Democratic staff in volunteering with Filling in the Blanks, an organization dedicated to combating childhood hunger throughout Fairfield County.
Together, we helped pack meal bags that will be distributed to children and families facing food insecurity. It was inspiring to work alongside volunteers committed to ensuring that local students have access to nutritious food during the school week and on weekends. |
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| Organizations like Filling in the Blanks make a tremendous difference in the lives of families across our region, and I am grateful for the opportunity to support their important mission. |
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| Touring Boehringer Ingelheim |
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| It was a privilege to tour Boehringer Ingelheim and learn more about the groundbreaking research and innovation taking place right here in Connecticut. It is inspiring to see a company that is helping advance medical science, create high-quality jobs, and strengthen our state's economy. |
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This visit was a wonderful opportunity to meet with members of the Boehringer Ingelheim team, learn about their work to improve public health, and discuss the importance of supporting Connecticut’s growing life sciences sector. Their commitment to innovation and discovery is making a difference both locally and around the world.
Thank you to everyone at Boehringer Ingelheim for the warm welcome and informative visit. |
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| Connecticut Blue Ribbon School Award |
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The community is proud the state named Ridgefield High School a 2026 Connecticut Blue Ribbon School, one of only six schools in the state to receive this prestigious honor this year. The designation recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, foster supportive learning environments, and deliver strong outcomes for students.
Ridgefield High School was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School, reflecting its longstanding record of academic excellence. The school ranks among the top-performing high schools in Connecticut with more than 70% of Ridgefield seniors earning college credits before graduation.
Congratulations to everyone at Ridgefield High School on this well-deserved recognition. |
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