Special Session Recap

November 14, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

The House held a special session on Wednesday. We passed several pieces of legislation, but I wanted to focus on the housing bill that was many months in the making.

From retirees looking to downsize, to young professionals and families searching for affordable rentals, Connecticut residents at every stage of life share a common goal: finding a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

Partnerships are at the heart of this effort. The bill empowers towns to plan for responsible, data-driven growth using insights from state, local, and regional partners to meet the housing needs of today and tomorrow. Developed in partnership with municipal leaders, regional councils, colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and Governor Lamont, this legislation creates a collaborative and practical framework through local Housing Growth Plans.

The legislation also encourages the redevelopment of underused properties, from aging strip malls to vacant commercial spaces, and promotes transit-oriented development that connects residents to jobs, schools, and public transportation. By combining innovation with local control and targeted support, we’re strengthening the partnership between the state and municipalities to modernize infrastructure, improve zoning and land-use planning, and create vibrant, inclusive communities across Connecticut.

There’s still more work ahead, but An Act Concerning Housing Growth marks a major step forward in our shared effort to expand housing opportunities, support local economies, and ensure every Connecticut resident can find, and afford, a home in a community they’re proud to call their own. Thank you to all of the legislators that played a role in shepherding this bill over the finish line.

The House also passed a bill that will allocate funds to offset reductions in federal programs that directly impact Connecticut residents.

The funding will cover gaps in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP. Connecticut will not sit by idly as the federal government attacks middle and low-income families.

Another bill we passed addressed children's mental health, the creation of a funding mechanism for a firefighters cancer relief fund, and revisited the state’s approach to immigrant protections in courthouses.

HB 8004 includes the following provisions:

Parameters for detaining, arresting, or taking a person into custody on courthouse grounds based on a civil offense;
General prohibitions on people enforcing state or federal laws on state courthouse grounds from wearing a mask or facial coverings, unless medically necessary and approved by court personnel; and
Restrictions on state and local government agencies from disclosing personal information to federal authorities, except as required by state or federal law, judicial warrant, or court order.

Thanks to the Early Childhood Education Endowment, an initiative that was passed by the General Assembly in the 2025 legislative session, the expansion of the Early Start CT program in 2026 marks an important step forward in meeting the growing demand for high-quality early childhood care and education across Connecticut.

Beginning in January 2026, up to 1,000 new spaces will be added to the state’s Early Start CT program, expanding access to affordable early learning opportunities for more families. In addition, the state will increase provider payments by up to 8% to help offset operational costs and support higher staff compensation. The endowment supports the governor’s initiative to implement the largest expansion of early childhood education services in Connecticut’s history. We are thrilled about this program and the tremendous benefits it will bring to children, families, and communities across the state.

Early Start CT is a state-funded early care and education program serving income-eligible families with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. The program is administered by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC).

To support this expansion, OEC will soon launch a Request for Applications (RFA) for child care providers interested in offering Early Start CT spaces. The RFA will be open to child care centers, group child care homes, family child care homes, and public school preschool classrooms throughout the state.

Click here for more information on Early Start CT.

ICYMI - The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity (CWCSEO) is hosting a special virtual listening session for those who identify as GEN Z - high schoolers, college students, young adults on November 16 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Please come ready to share about issues impacting you and your community. The information you share will be used to inform policymakers and CWCSEO's work and ensure that the voice of Connecticut residents is the commission's central focus and priority.

Click here to register.

ICYMI - Norwalk’s 2025 Curbside Yard Waste Collection begins today, November 3rd for residents who routinely receive City garbage and recycling services on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Please have your waste at the curb by 6:00 AM on the Monday of your collection week and it will be collected sometime during that week.

As a reminder

Do Not mix Yard Waste with Garbage.
Leaves must be in paper bags or garbage cans without lids.
Leaves will not be collected if they are in plastic bags.
Only brush under 4 feet that is bundled will be collected.
Loose leaves, logs, stumps, rocks, soil, mulch, and lumber will not be collected.

For more information about the Yard Waste Site, please visit https://norwalkct.gov/498/Yard-Waste-Site and for any questions, please contact our Customer Service Center at CustomerService@norwalkct.gov or (203) 854-3200.

Westport residents - please click here for the more information about the town's yard waste facility.

I am collaborating with with Black Girls Get LegalTee and Pansy's Pathway to hold a food and supplies drive. We are looking for canned goods, pads, diapers, and more. Please see the flyer below for more information.