I would like to wish everyone in Simsbury and beyond a joyful holiday season filled with joy, kindness, and warmth. As we reflect on the year behind us, thank you for all you do to make our community such a special place to live!
The state is acting fast due to unprecedented cuts on the federal level. I'll break down a new emergency fund that will support our most vulnerable with food, health care, and housing.
Connecticut continues to protect thousands of residents from medical debt. I'll dig deeper into how we have helped those folks pay off significant hospital bills.
As we prepare to ring in the new year, several new laws will take effect impacting health care, farming, higher education, and so much more. Please read below for a summary of what to expect in 2026.
Here are the sections in this email:
- Emergency Response Fund Put To Use
- Health Care Subsidies Matter For Small Businesses
- Erasing Medical Debt
- New Laws Effective January 1, 2026
- Plans To Improve Busy Intersection
- Community Events
| Emergency Response Fund Put To Use |
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In November, we passed a $500 million emergency response fund during a special session to support residents facing harmful federal cutbacks. Now, Governor Ned Lamont is putting a plan in motion to put that fund to good use. His $170 million proposal calls for committing:
- $115 million to offset federal cuts to health care subsidies and tax credits
- $24.5 million to support community food banks and pantries
- Nearly $7 million to combat homelessness
- $4.7 million for 2-1-1 to increase call volume and Community Action Agencies to support SNAP recipients
Health Care Subsidies
Matter For Small Businesses |
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I appreciate Governor Lamont’s swift action to protect Connecticut residents from sudden health insurance premium increases resulting from Washington’s inaction on the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2025.
This matters not only for our lowest-income neighbors, but also for Connecticut’s self-employed workers and small business owners, the backbone of our economy. Unlike employees of large companies, many entrepreneurs and small firms do not have access to traditional group plans. They rely on Access Health CT to keep coverage affordable and predictable, and even a single premium shock can force painful decisions.
When premiums spike or financial help disappears, families can be pushed to drop coverage, delay necessary care, or even leave a business they have built in order to pursue a job with benefits. That kind of disruption is not just a household crisis. It directly affects workforce stability, productivity, and long-term economic growth.
While the state program is still being implemented, the current framework indicates that Connecticut will maintain full assistance for certain lower-income enrollees and, for households above 400% and up to 500% of the federal poverty level, replace a portion of the lost enhanced assistance. Access Health CT is also preparing outreach to ensure eligible residents understand their options and enroll on time.
Affordable health care is pro-work and pro-growth. It allows entrepreneurs to take responsible risks, hire, and expand without fearing that one medical emergency could jeopardize a family or a business.
As a small business owner myself, I understand how central health coverage is to financial stability and peace of mind. I am grateful that Connecticut’s fiscal discipline has positioned us to respond in a moment like this. I will continue advocating with the Lamont administration and my colleagues in the legislature for policies that keep coverage accessible for working families and for the small businesses that power our communities, while continuing to press Congress for a durable federal solution.
The state announced it has helped erase some or all of the medical debt for 40,000 Connecticut residents, a move to help those struggling to pay medical bills. Those affected should have received a letter in the mail this month informing them of the news.
The governor's office says the debt is forgiven at a fraction of its face value - typically costing a few pennies on the dollar.
This is the third round of the initiative, which has now eliminated $198 million for 160,000 Connecticut residents since December 2024. CLICK HERE to learn more about the program.
| 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 will take effect on January 1, 2026.
These new measures address key issues impacting our state and its residents, including:
- expanding incentives for farmers
- strengthening protections for workers in sensitive professions
- improved reporting requirements to better track higher education enrollment, post-secondary credits, and student opportunities
Preventative health care continues to be a priority because early detection saves both lives and long-term costs. To support this, we now require health insurers to cover certain high-priority biomarker tests that aid in early detection, prevention, and treatment.
Additionally, we have prohibited the substitution of lower-priced drugs for higher-priced medications for individuals living with multiple sclerosis and arthritis, and we have made this ban permanent for medications used to treat mental health disorders.
| Plans to Improve Busy Intersection |
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The state is coming up with new ideas to improve safety at the intersection of Route 10/U.S. 202 at Route 315 in Simsbury. The plan includes building a new sidewalk, sidewalk ramps, and crosswalks, and upgrading signal equipment.
The design will be completed in February 2028, and construction is slated to start in the fall of 2028. Learn more here.
Welden Hardware invites you to its annual Christmas and Customer Appreciation Party. There will be food and drinks starting at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24 at 10 Station Street. This is an opportunity for the folks at Welden Hardware to say thank you to the community.
Stop by Simsbury Public Library at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, December 26 for winter crafts!
You can meet Sonar, the AHL's Hartford Wolfpack mascot, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 28 at Simsbury Farms.
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| Courtesy: Nancy Schumann |
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You can check out the Simsbury Camera Club's Photography Exhibit now through Tuesday, December 30 at Simsbury Public Library. Nearly 60 stunning images are on display and some, are are available for purchase.
Children are welcome to make New Year's Eve headbands to welcome 2026! This free event is for kids in kindergarten up to sixth grade at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30 at Simsbury Public Library. CLICK HERE to register and start the new year off right!
You have an opportunity to embrace winter at a live DJ and light show on ice! The event will take place on Saturday, January 3 from 8 p.m. – 10:15 p.m. at the Simsbury Ice Rink at 100 Old Farms Road. Admission is $5 and skate rentals are another $5.
