Middletown Delegation Welcomes $1.8M for City Projects

Posted on February 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Middletown Delegation Welcomes $1.8M for City Projects

Today, State Senators Matt Lesser and Jan Hochadel and State Representatives Brandon Chafee and Kai Belton welcomed over $1.8 million to Middletown. The State Bond Commission voted to approve $350,000 for the City of Middletown to purchase and install a modular fire training building, and $1,472,736 for marina construction through the Small Harbor Improvement Projects Program (SHIPP).

The City of Middletown applied for the SHIPP grant in order to replace the current aging harbor Emergency Response Dock. The dock has been damaged by years of flooding and seasonal ice flow, and the demand for dock space has increased in recent years, due in part to increased economic development in the area and recreational boaters on the Connecticut River.

“Last year, the Middletown delegation secured funding for the fire training facility as part of the state budget process. I am happy to see these funds be made available to the City to improve public safety. We know that affordability is first of mind, and that improved fire protection is associated with lower insurance costs for City residents. Separately, funding and moving the public safety dock is important for the general public on the Connecticut River as well as an important economic development step as part of our long term riverfront redevelopment efforts. I was happy to work closely with the City and the Governor’s office to secure these funds. Together these grants offer critical improvements to Middletown” said Sen. Lesser. “I am grateful to the Bond Commission for approving these funds and I look forward to continued collaboration to support our city.”

“New firefighter training facilities will help keep families safer, while the marina will boost the region’s economic development,” Sen. Hochadel said. “These are real investments that improve the quality of life for Middletown and the surrounding communities. I’m grateful to the State Bond Commission for recognizing the value of these projects and for their commitment to enhancing life in our region.”

“The current Harbor Emergency Response Dock has aged and has taken on considerable damage over the years due to seasonal ice flows and flooding events,” Rep. Belton said. “This funding will go toward replacing and relocating the dock, which all local, state, and federal agencies can use. The public recreation dock will see improvements as well. I couldn’t be more pleased that a modular fire training building is headed our way, too. I want to thank Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for recognizing Middletown and its need for this funding.”

“I would like to thank Governor Lamont and the bond commission for approving funding for a new fire training facility and construction of a new public safety dock in Middletown. The fire training facility will help ensure our firefighters are properly trained and keep homeowner insurance rates down. The public safety dock will provide crucial access to the river for first responders and is a key component and first step to redevelopment efforts along the riverfront,” said Rep. Chafee.

“The funding made available by the State of Connecticut to replace Middletown’s public safety dock and create a regional fire training school is a gratifying recognition of the outstanding leading role that Middletown’s public safety agencies play in our state. I am thankful for the support of Governor Lamont, Lt. Governor Bysiewicz, Senator Lesser, and our entire legislative delegation for their support of these critical local priorities, and look forward to working with the agencies involved to bring these projects to life in the months and years ahead,” said Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim.

Sen. Lesser Responds to Concierge Apartments

Posted on February 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Sen. Lesser Responds to Concierge Apartments

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser issued a statement in response to representation from Rocky Hill’s Concierge Apartments, where tenants have been without hot water for over a week and have been forced to evacuate.

“ The response from J.R.K Residential Group is cruel and inhumane, and sadly it falls perfectly in line with their long history of neglect and inattention. There are families with young babies, the elderly, the critically ill – all without suitable housing as we approach a weekend with below zero temperatures – but it appears J.R.K. sees these tenants as nothing more than a rent check. I’m grateful for the leadership of Attorney General Tong on this issue and I look forward to working alongside him to make things right for our constituents.”

Senator Lesser sent a letter with Attorney General William Tong to J.R.K. Property Holdings and J.R.K. Residential Group, the private equity backed real estate firm that owns Concierge Apartments in Rocky Hill. Concierge has been plagued with issues of neglect and failure to keep up with code enforcement. In the latest incident, pipes have burst in the recent freezing temperatures, leaving tenants without hot water for well over a week. The Town of Rocky Hill has been forced to issue evacuation orders as the town has determined parts of the complex to be unsafe for occupancy.

On Thursday, representation for the property group responded.

This Monday, February 9 at 6:00 p.m. Senator Lesser will co-host a free virtual workshop with attorneys from Connecticut Fair Housing to discuss legal options available to tenants. To sign-up, visit bit.ly/conciergetenants

Looney & Duff Condemn Trump’s Racist Video

Posted on February 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Looney, Duff Condemn Trump’s Racist Video

“If this isn’t rhetoric that crosses the line, what is?”

HARTFORD — Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement today, at the start of Black History Month, condemning President Donald Trump’s posting of a racist video:

“President Trump’s racist video depicting President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys is abhorrent, disgraceful, and has no place in our political discourse. Whenever President Trump seems to have hit bottom, he always seems to find a new way to shock his fellow citizens and embarrass himself. Whether it is blatantly racist behavior like this or him being mentioned hundreds if not thousands of times in the Epstein files, President Trump would not be tolerated in our politics if we had a normal Republican Party.

“We call on Connecticut Republicans to publicly denounce this racist attack on the first Black president and first lady in our nation’s history. Republican leaders are always quick to call for us to ‘take the rhetoric down’ and ‘lower the temperature’—if this isn’t rhetoric that crosses the line, what is? If a leader stays silent when the head of his political party has normalized an explicitly racist attack, he becomes complicit in that racism. We believe our colleagues in Connecticut are better than that, and we call on them to make their integrity known.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Looney & Duff Condemn Trump’s Racist Video

Posted on February 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Looney, Duff Condemn Trump’s Racist Video

“If this isn’t rhetoric that crosses the line, what is?”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Senator Miller Votes to Protect Connecticut from Trump Cuts Through Reserve Fund

Posted on February 5, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Senator Miller Votes to Protect Connecticut from Trump Cuts Through Reserve Fund

Senator Pat Billie Miller, D-Stamford, voted Wednesday to preserve access to emergency response resources, set aside by the state legislature to offset significant funding cuts enacted or threatened by the Trump administration, through June 2027.

Wednesday’s vote ensures that a reserve fund, which contains $313 million, will be an accessible resource as Connecticut continues to face funding cuts by the federal government.

“Connecticut families depend on federal government programs for health care, food assistance, and housing support, and the Trump administration’s reckless cuts have put some of our most vulnerable residents at risk,” Senator Miller said. “By making reserve funding available through 2027, we’re ensuring Connecticut has the resources to step in when Washington breaks its promises. I’m proud to support this critical safety net that protects our communities from the chaos and cruelty of Washington Republicans.”

The Republican federal budget, passed in July, included significant programming cuts with billions stripped from Medicaid and Medicare in the coming years. Other cuts have included the discontinuation of grants helping millions of families afford health insurance and reductions to programs supporting public health, education, clean energy and housing.

These cuts and the administration’s ongoing threats to enact more serious funding reductions, prompted state legislators to create a similar response fund during a special legislative session late last year. That 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 for food banks and food pantries to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million for system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to 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 offset 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 for 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants in New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford 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

Senator Hochadel Votes for Reserve Fund to Protect Residents from Trump Cuts

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

Senator Hochadel Votes to Shield Connecticut from Trump Cuts Through Reserve Fund

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, voted Wednesday to preserve access to emergency response resources, set aside by the state legislature to offset significant funding cuts enacted or threatened by the Trump administration, through June 2027.

Wednesday’s vote ensures that a reserve fund, which contains $313 million, will be an accessible resource as Connecticut continues to face funding cuts by the federal government.

“I’ve seen firsthand what happens when the federal government breaks its promises to our communities. In Meriden, children lost access to vital programs and parents were left scrambling to find child care,” Senator Hochadel said. “The Trump administration’s cuts aren’t abstractions. They’re programs that our residents depend on, food assistance that keeps families fed, and health care that seniors need. This reserve fund gives us the tools to respond quickly when Washington pulls the rug out from under Connecticut.”

These cuts and the administration’s ongoing threats to enact more serious funding reductions prompted state legislators to create a similar response fund during a special legislative session late last year. That 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 for food banks and food pantries to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million for system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to 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 offset 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 for 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants in New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford 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

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

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

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

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

February 4, 2026

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

$300+ Million Response Fund Shielding Connecticut From Federal Chaos

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) voted to establish a Federal Cuts Response Fund, continuing an effort started in late 2025 to ensure Connecticut lawmakers are well-positioned to respond to rapid changes to funding and programs made by the federal government.

Today’s vote carries over about $313 million into the new reserve following $186.6 million in investments in November 2025 and January 2026 from a $500 million pool established in 2025. It makes sure those funds remain a vital resource as Connecticut continues to face threats of stripped funding from the federal government.

“For the last year, lawmakers have woken up in a strange land. The federal government, which for decades has supported and protected our residents, is now gutting those programs. It’s nonsensical and will harm our cities and towns if we don’t respond,” said Sen. Anwar. “This fund represents a lifeline for the many Connecticut residents concerned about affording their health insurance, keeping their benefits and continuing to receive the care and support they need. Preserving its power plays a powerful role in protecting our people.”

Since the start of the second Trump presidency, myriad funding cuts and cancellations have been threatened and enacted, with a specific focus on programs in blue states. The Republican-led federal budget passed in July 2025 saw significant cuts to a number of programs, with billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid and Medicare expected in coming years as just one consequence.

Further cuts to public health, education, clean energy and housing valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars have roiled the state in the last year. Abrupt changes to federal policies for health care, food assistance and housing support potentially disconnect numerous state residents from important and needed aid.

In addition to confirmed cuts, the administration also continues to threaten others, adding increased uncertainty for proposed responses. Most recently, in January 2026, the Trump administration threatened to wipe out millions of dollars in addiction and mental health services in the state, one of several threats that were ultimately rescinded but motivated lawmakers to make proactive responses in an increasingly volatile political environment.

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

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

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

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

$300+ Million Response Fund Shielding Connecticut From Federal Chaos

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) voted to establish a Federal Cuts Response Fund, continuing an effort started in late 2025 to ensure Connecticut lawmakers are well-positioned to respond to rapid changes to funding and programs made by the federal government.

Today’s vote carries over about $313 million into the new reserve following $186.6 million in investments in November 2025 and January 2026 from a $500 million pool established in 2025. It makes sure those funds remain a vital resource as Connecticut continues to face threats of stripped funding from the federal government.

“People need to be able to afford their health care, have food on the table and get the support they need when they’re in trouble. Donald Trump and his friends in the White House seem to disagree,” said Sen. Marx. “This fund represents real-world support for Connecticut residents losing health care subsidies and SNAP benefits and navigating changes to much-needed programs. With constant threats of further funding cuts, it couldn’t be more necessary.”

Since the start of the second Trump presidency, myriad funding cuts and cancellations have been threatened and enacted, with a specific focus on programs in blue states. The Republican-led federal budget passed in July 2025 saw significant cuts to a number of programs, with billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid and Medicare expected in coming years as just one consequence.

Further cuts to public health, education, clean energy and housing valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars have roiled the state in the last year. Abrupt changes to federal policies for health care, food assistance and housing support potentially disconnect numerous state residents from important and needed aid.

In addition to confirmed cuts, the administration also continues to threaten others, adding increased uncertainty for proposed responses. Most recently, in January 2026, the Trump administration threatened to wipe out millions of dollars in addiction and mental health services in the state, one of several threats that were ultimately rescinded but motivated lawmakers to make proactive responses in an increasingly volatile political environment.

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

Senator Honig Votes to Protect Constituents From Federal Cuts

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

Senator Honig Votes to Protect Constituents From Federal Cuts

Senator Paul Honig, D-Harwinton, voted Wednesday to preserve access to emergency response resources, set aside by the state legislature to offset significant funding cuts enacted or threatened by the federal government, through June 2027.

Wednesday’s vote ensures that a reserve fund, which contains $313 million, will be an accessible resource as Connecticut continues to face funding cuts by the federal government.

“When the federal government doesn’t honor its funding commitments to Connecticut residents, the math is pretty straightforward: either the state steps up to protect our residents or our constituents go without vital support. Today, I voted to preserve access to an emergency response fund,” Senator Honig said. “This isn’t political theater and it’s not partisan grandstanding. We’re simply planning for known risks so no one is blindsided by whatever Washington throws at us.”

The federal budget, passed in July, included significant programming cuts with billions stripped from Medicaid and Medicare in the coming years. Other cuts have included the discontinuation of grants helping millions of families afford health insurance and reductions to programs supporting public health, education, clean energy and housing.

$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 for food banks and food pantries to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million for system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to 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 offset 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 for 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants in New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford 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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

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

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

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

$300+ Million Response Fund Shielding Connecticut From Federal Chaos

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