SEN. MAHER WELCOMES $474,305 IN SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR RIDGEFIELD, WESTON

Posted on August 17, 2026 by SDO Automation

SEN. MAHER WELCOMES $474,305 IN SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR RIDGEFIELD, WESTON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 17, 2026

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Weston) welcomed the state’s announcement of $474,305 in state grants supporting special education programming in Ridgefield and Weston. Ridgefield will receive $350,000 for programming support, while Weston will receive $124,305.

The funds were released through the High-Quality Special Education Incentive Grant Program, created through Senate Democrats’ flagship educational legislation in 2025. They are intended to help local and regional boards of education with in-district or regional special education services that reduce reliance on out-of-district placements.

“Special education is an important need in our communities, but it places significant strain on far too many communities. This funding will help alleviate that pressure and support schools and towns alike with their budgets,” said Sen. Maher. “I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and state officials for their support.”

Ridgefield and Weston’s programming grants can be used in ways including developing new learning and independence programs for students with significant disabilities, establishing new support programs or expanding inclusive co-teaching classrooms.

SEN. RAHMAN WELCOMES $225,000 IN SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR ANDOVER

Posted on August 17, 2026 by SDO Automation

SEN. RAHMAN WELCOMES $225,000 IN SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR ANDOVER

August 17, 2026

Today, State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester) welcomed the state’s announcement of $225,000 in state grants supporting Andover’s special education programming.

“Special education is a vital need in our communities, but its cost can cause frustrating issues for schools, towns and families alike,” said Sen. Rahman. “This new funding will play a significant role in supporting our communities and making sure our students receive the care they need to learn and grow. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and state leaders for their support.”

Andover’s $225,000 grant is reserved for programming, with examples of how the funds can be used including developing new learning and independence programs for students with significant disabilities, establishing new support programs or expanding inclusive co-teaching classrooms.

SEN. ANWAR WELCOMES $650,256 IN SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR ELLINGTON, SOUTH WINDSOR

Posted on August 17, 2026 by SDO Automation

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

August 17, 2026

SEN. ANWAR WELCOMES $650,256 IN SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR ELLINGTON, SOUTH WINDSOR

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) welcomed the state’s announcement of $650,256 in state grants supporting special education programming in Ellington and South Windsor. Ellington will receive $163,448 for programming support and $185,568 for capital improvements, while South Windsor will receive $301,240 for programming.

“Special education is a vital need in communities statewide, but it’s putting increased pressure on school and town finances. This funding will deliver much-needed support for our local schools just as classes start,” said Sen. Anwar. “I’m grateful for local support from Governor Lamont and state leaders.”

Ellington and South Windsor’s programming grants can be used in ways including developing new learning and independence programs for students with significant disabilities, establishing new support programs or expanding inclusive co-teaching classrooms. Ellington’s capital improvement funding can support new construction, renovation of existing spaces or development of new facilities.

Senator Honig Welcomes $1.387 Million In Special Education Support For Canton, New Hartford, Region 10 Schools, Simsbury and Torrington

Posted on August 17, 2026 by SDO Automation

Senator Honig Welcomes $1.387 Million In Special Education Support For Canton, New Hartford, Region 10 Schools, Simsbury and Torrington

Today, State Senator Paul Honig (D-Torrington) welcomed the state’s announcement of $1.387 million in state grants supporting special education programming in Canton, New Hartford, Region 10 schools, Simsbury and Torrington. Canton and New Hartford will receive $328,660 in programming support and $171,340 in capital improvements; Region 10 will receive $95,000 for programming and $255,000 for capital improvements; Simsbury will receive $350,000 for programming; and Torrington will receive $187,270 for programming.

“It is wonderful to see that schools in our region will strongly benefit from these investments from the state, helping towns better manage special education costs,” said Sen. Honig. “These grants will play a significant role supporting our students’ needs while ensuring our communities are better prepared to handle them financially. I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and state leaders for investing in our region.”

Programming grants can be used in ways including developing new learning and independence programs for students with significant disabilities, establishing new support programs or expanding inclusive co-teaching classrooms. Capital improvement funding can support new construction, renovation of existing spaces or development of new facilities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | hugh.mcquaid@cga.ct.gov |

Looney: Support for Extremist Republican Candidate Should Concern Every Connecticut Resident

Posted on August 14, 2026 by SDO Automation

Looney: Support for Extremist Republican Candidate Should Concern Every Connecticut Resident

“Connecticut Republican leaders did the right thing, and they deserve credit for it. Faced with a candidate who called for the transgender and LGBT community to be treated as people who have, in his words, corrupted our families and eroded the foundational values of our society, and who went so far as to suggest that LGBTQ people should face execution, they refused to stay silent. That is how leaders are supposed to respond to hatred, and I commend them for it. But we should not comfort ourselves with the thought that this issue has been resolved. This was not a candidate whose views were hidden or ambiguous. His platform was bigotry stated plainly, and still a meaningful share of primary voters chose him even after his own party’s leadership asked them not to. A campaign built openly on hate and on the language of violence should be universally repudiated. Even falling short of that ideal, such a candidacy should not register in higher than the low single digits, if that. That it earned considerably more should trouble every one of us, regardless of party. The question Connecticut has to ponder is why a candidate like this believed he had a home in one of our major parties at all, and why so many voters were prepared to give him one.”

-Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) on Jadon MacCormack, the Republican-endorsed candidate in the 50th House District, losing his primary to Anthony Emilio. MacCormack had drawn bipartisan condemnation for a series of anti-LGBTQ statements, including a call for LGBTQ people to face the death penalty.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193

SEN. ANWAR SUPPORTS $86 MILLION PLAN FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE THIS WINTER

Posted on August 13, 2026 by SDO Automation

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

August 13, 2026

SEN. ANWAR SUPPORTS $86 MILLION PLAN FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE THIS WINTER

HARTFORD – State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) on Wednesday voted to approve an $86.2 million plan to provide energy assistance to low-income Connecticut families this winter.
That plan, however, is contingent on Congress approving federal funds this fall for the program, known as LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program), because President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans eliminated all funding for LIHEAP in their 2025 federal budget.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that is administered at the state level through local community action agencies, which advertise the program and process applications.
“LIHEAP plays a vital role in supporting tens of thousands of Connecticut households, and with the cost of oil continuing to rise and families continuing to struggle, our action today has increased meaning,” said Sen. Anwar, who serves on the Appropriations and Human Services Committees.
The LIHEAP program helps about 94,300 Connecticut households every year, including 31,000 households with elderly members, 13,000 with disabilities, and 9,000 with children under the age of 6. It offers $355 to $705 in home heating oil, natural gas, and electricity heating assistance per household based on family size and income.
Home heating oil prices have increased 52% over the past year in Connecticut – from $3.17 per gallon in August 2025 to $4.83 per gallon today – following President Trump’s invasion of Iran on February 28, 2026.

SEN. MARX SUPPORTS $86 MILLION PLAN FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE THIS WINTER

Posted on August 13, 2026 by SDO Automation

SEN. MARX SUPPORTS $86 MILLION PLAN FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE THIS WINTER

August 13, 2026

HARTFORD – State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) on Wednesday voted to approve an $86.2 million plan to provide energy assistance to low-income Connecticut families this winter.

That plan, however, is contingent on Congress approving federal funds this fall for the program, known as LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program), because President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans eliminated all funding for LIHEAP in their 2025 federal budget.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that is administered at the state level through local community action agencies, which advertise the program and process applications.

“LIHEAP is a lifeline for many Connecticut households trying to get through the winter, and I’m proud to support this vital program,” said Sen. Marx, who serves on the Appropriations Committee.

The LIHEAP program helps about 94,300 Connecticut households every year, including 31,000 households with elderly members, 13,000 with disabilities, and 9,000 with children under the age of 6. It offers $355 to $705 in home heating oil, natural gas, and electricity heating assistance per household based on family size and income.

Home heating oil prices have increased 52% over the past year in Connecticut – from $3.17 per gallon in August 2025 to $4.83 per gallon today – following President Trump’s invasion of Iran on February 28, 2026.

SEN. SLAP SUPPORTS $86 MILLION PLAN FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE THIS WINTER

Posted on August 13, 2026 by SDO Automation

SEN. SLAP SUPPORTS $86 MILLION PLAN FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE THIS WINTER

August 13, 2026

HARTFORD – State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) on Wednesday voted to approve an $86.2 million plan to provide energy assistance to low-income Connecticut families this winter.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that is administered at the state level through local community action agencies, which advertise the program and process applications.

“Many households across Connecticut rely on LIHEAP to get them through the winter. Given increased home heating costs, this aid is more vital than ever,” said Sen. Slap, who serves on the Appropriations Committee.

SEN. NEEDLEMAN SUPPORTS $86 MILLION PLAN FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE THIS WINTER

Posted on August 13, 2026 by SDO Automation

SEN. NEEDLEMAN SUPPORTS $86 MILLION PLAN FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE THIS WINTER

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

August 13, 2026

SEN. NEEDLEMAN SUPPORTS $86 MILLION PLAN FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE THIS WINTER

HARTFORD – State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) on Wednesday voted to approve an $86.2 million plan to provide energy assistance to low-income Connecticut families this winter.

That plan, however, is contingent on Congress approving federal funds this fall for the program, known as LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program), because President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans eliminated all funding for LIHEAP in their 2025 federal budget.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that is administered at the state level through local community action agencies, which advertise the program and process applications.

“Supporting LIHEAP means we’re supporting countless Connecticut families and providing them with aid as heating costs remain high,” said Sen. Needleman, who is Senate Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee.

The LIHEAP program helps about 94,300 Connecticut households every year, including 31,000 households with elderly members, 13,000 with disabilities, and 9,000 with children under the age of 6. It offers $355 to $705 in home heating oil, natural gas, and electricity heating assistance per household based on family size and income.

Home heating oil prices have increased 52% over the past year in Connecticut – from $3.17 per gallon in August 2025 to $4.83 per gallon today – following President Trump’s invasion of Iran on February 28, 2026.

Stay connected with Senator Norm Needleman

Senator Norm Needleman
860-240-0428 or Toll-free 1-800-842-1420
www.senatedems.ct.gov/Needleman

SEN. MAHER SUPPORTS $86 MILLION PLAN FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE THIS WINTER

Posted on August 13, 2026 by SDO Automation

SEN. MAHER SUPPORTS $86 MILLION PLAN FOR LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE THIS WINTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 13, 2026

HARTFORD – State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) on Wednesday voted to approve an $86.2 million plan to provide energy assistance to low-income Connecticut families this winter.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that is administered at the state level through local community action agencies, which advertise the program and process applications.

“LIHEAP is an important program providing support to Connecticut households during the coldest time of the year. This support is going to provide benefits to countless state residents amid high heating costs,” said Sen. Maher, Senate Vice Chair of the Human Services Committee and who serves on the Energy and Technology Committee.