Sen. Lesser Responds to $2B Trump Cuts to Mental Health Programs
Today, State Senator Matt Lesser, Senate Chair of the Human Services Committee, responded to reports that the Trump administration has cut $2 billion nationwide in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants.
These grants fund nonprofits, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), affecting those seeking treatment for substance abuse, mental health supports and more across the state and the country.
“This is one more chaotic act from an administration who thinks the law doesn’t apply to them. This will directly harm folks in every town in Connecticut who are looking for substance abuse and mental health treatment, regardless of their political affiliation. The decision to cut these funds in the middle of the night with no explanation is illegal, unconscionable and unjustifiable. My phone has been ringing off the hook from nurses, doctors and front line providers who are losing their jobs or worried they might, with no warning, and no notice whatsoever. Connecticut residents will die without access to these critical treatments and cutting them with no notice defies logic, common sense and humanity.”
SENATOR ANWAR ISSUES STATEMENT RESPONDING TO TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CANCELING UP TO $2 BILLION IN MENTAL HEALTH, ADDICTION SUPPORT GRANTS
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, released the following statement in response to reports that the Trump administration canceled up to $2 billion in grants supporting mental health and addiction support programs:
“Just as Connecticut starts making progress in reducing overdose deaths, as our state continues to grapple with a mental health crisis, the Trump administration yet again makes our jobs harder. Cutting this funding will lead to more people struggling and disconnect people from programs that provide them with lifechanging aid. This is a cruel decision, as nonsensical as it is designed to harm American citizens. My heart breaks for the many good people and good organizations who will suffer because of it.”
SENATOR MAHER RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CANCELLATION OF UP TO $2 BILLION IN MENTAL HEALTH, ADDICTION SERVICES
Today, following reports that the Trump administration canceled up to $2 billion in grants national supporting mental health and addiction support services nationwide, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, issued the following statement. Initial reports indicate that nonprofits and support groups providing direct addiction recovery support around the nation, including in Connecticut, had funding slashed without explanation beyond Trump administration priorities:
“The mental health and addiction needs in our communities are real, and our state has committed tens of millions of dollars in the last few years to support and help constituents who are struggling. The senseless, arbitrary decision to cut federal funding for programs that bring real benefits, for people and for society, is pointedly cruel. After years of research, funding and focus on mental health and addiction issues, this action threatens to reverse years of efforts, make our communities less safe and leave many, including countless children, suffering.”
Deep River and Westbrook were among five Connecticut communities selected as part of the Connecticut Main Street Center’s 2026 cohort, with local teams in each town to undergo a six-month program helping them meet community needs specifically in downtown and Main Street areas.
According to information released by the Connecticut Main Street Center, local leaders from Deep River will work together to develop new messaging for the town’s Main Street area, including tackling misconceptions about Deep River and its downtown area.
Westbrook leaders, meanwhile, will investigate ways to better illuminate town-owned parks with the intent of enhancing existing buildings and other local resources in the town.
“Downtowns, Main Streets and public lands are focal points of our communities, representing gathering places and centerpoints that draw people together from near and far, and focus on re-emphasizing and improving them for current and future demand is vitally important,” said State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex). “I’m highly encouraged to learn of this newfound emphasis and am excited to see what comes in the near future.”
“Deep River’s Main Street is the essential anchor for the town’s economy, cultural identity, and long-term sustainability,” said State Representative Renee LaMark Muir (D-36). “The walkable town center is an important mix of small-town charm, history, and outdoor access to the Connecticut River. The Connecticut Main Street Accelerator Program will help drive local economic growth, preserve community identity, and ensure long-term sustainability and resilience.”
“We’re looking forward to working with these communities who are taking bold steps to strengthen their downtowns,” said Michelle McCabe, CMSC’s Executive Director, in a statement. “Main Street Accelerator isn’t just about learning strategies—it’s about building connections and turning ideas into action. Watching teams collaborate and bring fresh energy to their Main Streets is one of the most rewarding outcomes of this program.”
The Connecticut Main Street Center’s Main Street Accelerator program emphasizes economic vitality, design, organization and promotion in a community, with specific focus on bringing new investments and economic success in communities, designing public spaces as accessible as they are inviting, and improving community engagement for long-term success.
By undergoing that four-point program, with specific focus on design and promotion in Deep River and organization and design in Westbrook, both communities seek to have new opportunities for success and public utilization of their resources.
SENATOR ANWAR RELEASES STATEMENT AS STATE INVESTS IN 211, HOMELESSNESS SERVICES
State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) today issued the following statement following the announcement that Connecticut leaders will invest more than $9 million to increase call capacity at 211, the state’s connection to assistance programs, and homelessness services that directly support state residents in need:
“I’m grateful that our state is recognizing this vital need, which I have raised awareness of for months. Our state has thousands of residents struggling with homelessness and many more experiencing housing insecurity, and the failure of the federal government to provide aid for them puts even more of an onus on Connecticut to help. Advocates’ pressure and outcry made sure the state addresses this key need for now, but given rapid changes in policy from the federal government and a weakening national economy impacting Connecticut residents, the focus must remain beyond this one investment.”
Senate Democrats React to ICE Killing in Minneapolis
HARTFORD — Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven),Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), and members of the Senate Democratic caucus released the following statement today regarding the killing in Minneapolis by the Trump administration’s ICE.
“The apparent murder of Renee Good is reprehensible, and we condemn it in the strongest terms. This incident happened because Donald Trump’s regime is sending armed, masked, anonymous agents into communities all across the country under the guise of ‘protection’, but with the true intent of sheer domination. Wednesday’s murder – and we do call it a murder – committed by an ICE agent is just the most recent consequence of a reckless and cruel Republican administration that seems intent on destroying the very human rights upon which our Constitution is founded. The citizens of America must speak out and demand that Donald Trump’s lawlessness must end, and that those federal agents responsible for murder and mayhem be held accountable. Legislative session starts soon, and we will look at ways to hold rogue federal authorities accountable at the state level.”
Senate Democrats React to ICE Killing in Minneapolis
HARTFORD — Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), and members of the Senate Democratic caucus released the following statement today regarding the killing in Minneapolis by the Trump administration’s ICE.
“The apparent murder of Renee Good is reprehensible, and we condemn it in the strongest terms. This incident happened because Donald Trump’s regime is sending armed, masked, anonymous agents into communities all across the country under the guise of ‘protection’, but with the true intent of sheer domination. Wednesday’s murder – and we do call it a murder – committed by an ICE agent is just the most recent consequence of a reckless and cruel Republican administration that seems intent on destroying the very human rights upon which our Constitution is founded. The citizens of America must speak out and demand that Donald Trump’s lawlessness must end, and that those federal agents responsible for murder and mayhem be held accountable. Legislative session starts soon, and we will look at ways to hold rogue federal authorities accountable at the state level.”
The statement was signed by:
Senate President Martin Looney
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff
Senator Doug McCrory
Senator MD Rahman
Senator Saud Anwar
Senator Derek Slap
Senator Rick Lopes
Senator Paul Honig
Senator Matt Lesser
Senator Gary Winfield
Senator Christine Cohen
Senator Jan Hochadel
Senator Joan Hartley
Senator Jorge Cabrera
Senator Martha Marx
Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox
Senator Herron Keyon Gaston
Senator Julie Kushner
Senator Ceci Maher
Senator Pat Billie Miller
Senator Mae Flexer
Senator Norm Needleman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193
SENS. LOONEY & DUFF REJECT TRUMP DEMAND FOR CONNECTICUT VOTERS’ PERSONAL INFORMATION
HARTFORD — Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement today regarding the Trump administration’s U.S. Department of Justice demanding the release of sensitive, personal information on Connecticut voters.
“Once again, the Trump administration is using threats and coercion to try to collect Connecticut voters’ private data that it has no legal basis for requesting, and which we can only surmise has no beneficial motive for using. Connecticut is one of nearly 20 Democratic states that Trump’s Justice Department is now bullying in order to create a national citizen database. Connecticut will fight for our citizens’ right to privacy, and we will not surrender to the countless election deniers and conspiracy theorists who inhabit the Trump administration.”
SENS. LOONEY & DUFF REJECT TRUMP DEMAND FOR CONNECTICUT VOTERS’ PERSONAL INFORMATION
HARTFORD — Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement today regarding the Trump administration’s U.S. Department of Justice demanding the release of sensitive, personal information on Connecticut voters.
“Once again, the Trump administration is using threats and coercion to try to collect Connecticut voters’ private data that it has no legal basis for requesting, and which we can only surmise has no beneficial motive for using. Connecticut is one of nearly 20 Democratic states that Trump’s Justice Department is now bullying in order to create a national citizen database. Connecticut will fight for our citizens’ right to privacy, and we will not surrender to the countless election deniers and conspiracy theorists who inhabit the Trump administration.”
SENATOR DUFF VOTES FOR A STATE BUDGET THAT INVESTS IN FAMILIES, EDUCATION AND OUR TOWNS
HARTFORD – Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) joined his Senate Democratic colleagues this evening in voting to approve the 2026-27 biennial no-tax increase state budget that invests in Connecticut’s children, families and towns.
The budget passed 25-11 on a purely partisan vote and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.
“Locally, this budget delivers more education funding for the Norwalk Public Schools and a record amount of municipal aid for the City of Norwalk. All in all, this funding will help meet Norwalk’s needs over the next two years, especially on some of its most pressing issues,” said Sen. Duff.
In the budget, Sen. Duff secured the following state aid for the 25th State Senate District:
Norwalk will receive $76.4 million in total state aid over the next two years, a $21.35 million increase of approximately 38% over the previous biennial budget.
Of that total, Norwalk will receive $32.89 million in school aid, a $1.9 million increase of about 6% over the previous biennial budget.
Norwalk will also receive $383,000 in a new Special Education and Expansion Development grant.
Darien will receive $2.42 million in total state aid over the next two years, a $263,000 increase of about 12% over the previous biennial budget.
Of that total, Darien will receive $1.1 million in school aid, a $50,400 increase of about 4.9% over the previous biennial budget.
Sen. Duff also secured:
$3.2 million for the Norwalk Transit District Route Enhancements and ADA Shortfall
$2.9 million for the Women’s Business Development Council
$2.2 million for the Norwalk Transit Coastal Link
$2 million for The Workplace Retail Project
$1.67 million for Person 2 Person
$1.607 million for the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium
$750,000 for Waterford’s Upstart Program
$190,500 for the Connecticut Writing Project
$161,726 for Stepping Stones
$200,000 each for Filling in the Blanks, Robotics Funding, and Serving All Vessels Equally (SAVE) in Norwalk
$100,000 each for Cornerstone Community Foundation, Norwalk International Cultural Exchange (NICE Festival), and the Norwalk Symphony
$80,000 for the Youth Business Initiative
$50,000 each for the Raymond Boathouse and Homes for Hope in Westport
$40,000 each for Basket of Love, the MLK Scholarship Fund, and the Norwalk Housing Authority Scholarship Fund
“Our budget priorities and budget process here in Connecticut could not be more different than what’s happening right now in Washington, D.C. with Republicans and Donald Trump in charge,” Sen. Duff continued. “We’re paying down debt in Connecticut while they’re exploding it in Washington. We’re expanding access to childcare instead of slashing Head Start. We’re delivering record education aid to towns instead of dismantling the Department of Education. And we’re providing tax relief to lower-income working families, not billionaires. Democrats did right by Connecticut in this state budget.”
The 2026-27 State of Connecticut General Fund budget totals $49.392 billion, with a FY 26 growth rate of 5.4% and a FY 27 growth rate of 5.5%. The budget does not raise income, gasoline or sales taxes and is about $1 million under the constitutional spending cap in FY 26 and $75 million under the spending cap in FY 27.
The budget increases state aid to all local schools by $186 million to $2.4 billion and increases special education ‘excess cost’ aid to cities and towns by more than $80 million to $442 million.
The budget also increases by $250 per family the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the working poor, totaling $26 million per year, affecting an estimated tens of thousands of Connecticut households (Norwalk has the 8th-highest number of EITC households in the state, with nearly 5,000 claiming the credit.)
Today’s state budget also fully funds Medicaid, including more than $400 million in increased funding to shore up the program on which 900,000 Connecticut residents rely, and it invests $7 million in Foodshare, a nonprofit that helps to feed hungry families.
