Senator Rahman Applauds State Aid for Glastonbury Sidewalk Project

Posted on February 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Senator Rahman Applauds State Aid for Glastonbury Sidewalk Project

Senator MD Rahman, D-Manchester, welcomed a nearly $800,000 Department of Transportation grant this week for Glastonbury to construct a sidewalk along a stretch of Manchester Road between Shoddy Mill Road and Hebron Avenue.

The town will receive $796,700 through the DOT’s Community Connectivity Grant Program, which provides financial support for local initiatives to create safer and more accommodating roads for bicyclists and pedestrians.

“These grants represent an important step in our ongoing efforts to make Connecticut roads safer for pedestrians,” Senator Rahman said. “This funding will ensure that Manchester Road is fully accessible, encouraging more residents to enjoy walking along our scenic roads. I am grateful for the Department of Transportation’s commitment to these vital improvements that enhance both safety and quality of life.”

Glastonbury was one of 17 towns and cities to receive a total of more than $12 million in grants under the sixth round of awards under the Community Connectivity Grant Program.

“Our main streets and community centers serve as vital social, economic, and transportation hubs,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “Improving local infrastructure for all users in community centers is a win for our whole state and opens the door to further economic growth.”

“From sidewalks and multi-use trails to ADA compliant ramps, these 17 projects focus on providing safety enhancements and mobility options to schools, jobs, public transit, and local economic centers,” Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. “Thank you to Governor Lamont and the General Assembly for supporting these important capital improvements across the state.”

SENATOR COHEN VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

Posted on February 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR COHEN VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

$300+ Million Response Fund Shielding Connecticut From Federal Chaos

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Christine Cohen voted to establish a Federal Cuts Response Fund, continuing an effort started in late 2025 to ensure Connecticut is well-positioned to respond to rapid changes to funding and programs made by the federal government.

Today’s vote carries over $313 million into a new reserve. It follows $186.6 million in investments in December 2025 and January 2026 from a $500 million pool established in November 2025 and makes sure the remaining funds are available to respond to funding cuts from the federal government.

“Connecticut residents, state and community leaders, service providers and more have found themselves caught in the crosshairs of an unstable and hostile federal government,” said Sen. Cohen. “This administration haphazardly cuts funding then changes its mind. It uses food assistance as a political bargaining chip and raises American’s healthcare premiums to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. With this vote, Connecticut residents can rest assured that we will continue to do everything we can to protect them from the cruelty and chaos coming from Washington D.C.”

Since the start of the second Trump presidency, Connecticut has been among several blue states that have seen billions of dollars in cuts to previously approved funding for programs ranging from education, to healthcare, clean energy, public health, mental health supports and more. Some programs have been reinstated, while others have not, creating chaos and uncertainty for providers and those who use these programs. The Republican Federal Budget passed in July of last year also cut funding to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, home heating assistance and more.

The fund has already been used to support investments in response to federal changes and funding cuts including:

$115 million to replace expiring federal health care subsidies for Connecticut residents with plans through Access Health CT, its Affordable Care Act exchange, which will take effect in March
$24.6 million to support food banks and food pantries’ capacities to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million to support system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to successfully implement eligibility changes and constituent support
$8.5 million to replace lost federal reimbursement for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and $1.9 million to replace funding for its frozen Title X family planning and preventive health services grant
$6.88 million to support expiring Continuum of Care grants for homelessness prevention and housing vouchers formerly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
$4.7 million to increase call volume at 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants for New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford public schools providing health care and childcare services to children and families
$2 million to expand community health workers’ ability to help the public meet changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility
$830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut

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SENATOR MAHER RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES UNIVERSAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST

Posted on February 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR MAHER RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES UNIVERSAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST

February 4, 2026

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, released the following statement in response to Governor Ned Lamont’s budget proposal released February 4. That proposal includes a $12.5 million investment to include universal school breakfasts in state schools and eliminate reduced-price meal costs for students:

“After years of advocating for universal no-cost school meals for students in Connecticut, I’m heartened to hear Governor Lamont knows how important this priority is for our youth,” said Sen. Maher. “Children who have access to food in schools can learn and focus better, and it is directly tied to better outcomes as they grow up. I can’t help but notice that the Governor’s proposal could go further, however. If our state funds universal school breakfasts, it’s not a huge leap from there to do the same with school lunches, creating a universal school meals program. The benefits from such an expansion would be measurable.

Note: headline corrected

SENATOR MAHER RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES UNIVERSAL SCHOOL LUNCHES

Posted on February 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR MAHER RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES UNIVERSAL SCHOOL LUNCHES

February 4, 2026

SENATOR SLAP VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

Posted on February 4, 2026February 6, 2026 by Devin James

SENATOR SLAP VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Derek Slap voted to establish a Federal Cuts Response Fund, continuing an effort started in late 2025 to ensure Connecticut is well-positioned to respond to rapid changes to funding and programs made by the federal government.

Today’s vote carries over $313 million into the new reserve. It follows $186.6 million in investments in December 2025 and January 2026 from a $500 million pool established in November 2025 and makes sure the remaining funds are available to respond to funding cuts from the federal government.

“Connecticut and our residents have been on the receiving end of billions of dollars of federal funding cuts, despite paying the federal government over $3 billion more in taxes than we receive back,” said Sen. Slap. “Today’s vote ensures that we are able to quickly respond to fund critical programs and organizations like Planned Parenthood, mitigate skyrocketing premiums on Access Health CT, and ensure that Connecticut residents know that we will do everything in our power to insulate them from the impacts of this administration’s recklessness.”

Since the start of the second Trump presidency, Connecticut has been among several blue states that have seen billions of dollars in cuts to previously approved funding for programs ranging from education, to healthcare, clean energy, public health, mental health supports and more. Some programs have been reinstated, while others have not, creating chaos and uncertainty for providers and those who use these programs. The Republican Federal Budget passed in July of last year cut funding to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, home heating assistance and more.

The fund has already been used to support investments in response to federal changes and funding cuts including:

$115 million to replace expiring federal health care subsidies for Connecticut residents with plans through Access Health CT, its Affordable Care Act exchange, which will take effect in March
$24.6 million to support food banks and food pantries’ capacities to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million to support system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to successfully implement eligibility changes and constituent support
$8.5 million to replace lost federal reimbursement for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and $1.9 million to replace funding for its frozen Title X family planning and preventive health services grant
$6.88 million to support expiring Continuum of Care grants for homelessness prevention and housing vouchers formerly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
$4.7 million to increase call volume at 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants for New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford public schools providing health care and childcare services to children and families
$2 million to expand community health workers’ ability to help the public meet changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility
$830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut

*Source: USAFacts.org

SENATOR ANWAR ISSUES STATEMENT AS UCONN HEALTH CERTIFICATE OF NEED FOR WATERBURY HOSPITAL ACQUISITION APPROVED

Posted on February 2, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

February 2, 2026

SENATOR ANWAR ISSUES STATEMENT AS UCONN HEALTH CERTIFICATE OF NEED FOR WATERBURY HOSPITAL ACQUISITION APPROVED

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) issued the following statement after UConn Health’s emergency certificate of need was approved by the state Office of Health Strategy, allowing the health system’s acquisition of Waterbury Hospital to move forward. The health system’s acquisition of Waterbury Hospital for $13 million helps ensure its long-term ability to provide care following the bankruptcy of the hospital’s prior owner, Prospect Medical Holdings.

“Health care in Connecticut is in much better shape following this acquisition than it was beforehand, and the people of Waterbury who rely on Waterbury Hospital can rest assured that quality of care will not be impacted,” said Sen. Anwar. “UConn Health’s dedication to service and medical care will infuse Waterbury Hospital with new resources and importantly protects Connecticut from seeing a significant care desert, especially important given prior concerns about Prospect properties’ long-term viability. I’m grateful to state leaders for ensuring rapid action preserved this vital health care resource.”