These news summaries are part of the Connecticut Mirror’s 2026 political coverage. For more news about the 2026 Congress, campaigns, elections, and more, visit, sign up here I wrote for The Issue, the CT Mirror’s weekly political newsletter.
Record-length shutdown endss
Congress ended a record shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security after 76 days. But Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, said it could have happened sooner. He said the bill passed Thursday mirrors one he proposed more than two months ago, but Republicans took no action until this week. “I said, damn, it’s about time this happened,” DeLauro said. “That’s what I’m saying, and I’m glad this bill passed. Workers will be paid.”The law funds everything in DHS, including FEMA, the Secret Service, the Coast Guard, and TSA, except for ICE and Border Patrol.
— Lisa Hagen, federal policy reporter
hunger awareness
Connecticut held its fourth annual Food Security Day at the state Capitol on Monday. The aim was to highlight the importance of providing assistance to the more than 500,000 residents considered food insecure (14% of the state’s population), including 120,000 children. The number of food insecure residents has increased in recent years, making Connecticut the most food insecure state in New England, according to Feeding America’s estimated food insecurity rates.
Food insecurity is defined as insufficient access to nutritious food. Lawmakers and community leaders on the committee advocated for the state Legislature to pass House Bill 5214, which would provide free school breakfast to all students in the state.
— Sara Bedigian, Legislative Reporting Intern
Advantages of Snap
At a rally at the Capitol on Tuesday, representatives from Connecticut for All called on Gov. Ned Lamont to tap into funding reserves to create a state-funded supplement to the SNAP program to ensure people excluded from the program under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act continue to receive adequate food. The group, which was blasting bullhorns and wearing pink T-shirts that read “Opportunity Means Everyone,” also had a stack of paper plates that read “Governor, please raise money now” to be delivered to Lamont’s office. Lamont has poured some money into food assistance following federal cuts, but the organization says more money is needed.
— Laura Tillman, human services reporter
sewage alarm
The House passed a “right to know” bill Monday that would require Connecticut to install a public warning system for sewage spills. The law, HB 5522, requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to establish an alert system by Dec. 1, 2026, that would allow people to sign up for text messages and emails about sewage spills. DEEP currently uses social media for alerts.
Sewage spills, or overflows, occur when combined sewer systems become overwhelmed during major storms. The bill is estimated to cost $141,781 annually, most of which will go towards new staff positions at DEEP.
— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter
Cameras in residential care
A bill that would allow virtual monitoring in residential care facilities passed unanimously in the House of Representatives on Monday. The measure would extend the use of cameras to residential care facilities. They are already allowed to live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Consent is required for residents with roommates. Residents or their family members are responsible for purchasing, activating, installing, maintaining, repairing, operating, and removing the technology at their own expense. The proposal is now before the Senate.
— Jenna Carleso, Investigative Reporter
lobster and labor
The labor bill that passed the House on Tuesday included language that would allow restaurants to serve lobsters that are too small to be legally caught in Connecticut waters. Restaurant owners said they already buy most of their lobster from Maine. The state’s legal minimum catch is slightly less than what is allowed in Long Island Sound, but the lobster industry has struggled to recover from a mass extinction in the 1990s.
The restrictions will make the price of a hot, buttered lobster roll several dollars more expensive than in surrounding states, owners say. The bill passed overwhelmingly after Republicans tried and failed to remove the lobster provision.
— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter
Relaxation of school obligations
Before the legislative session began, Rep. Leslie Zupkas (R-Rep.), the ranking member of the Education Committee, told CT Mirror she wanted to see the mandates for schools reduced.
On Tuesday, a bill to accomplish this passed the House by a vote of 142-4. House Bill 5324 makes some minor changes, including removing certain required training for school employees. It would also authorize the Education Mandates Review Advisory Committee to collect data needed to report annually on what state mandates may be burdensome to schools.
— Theo Peck-Suzuki, education reporter
human trafficking bill
The Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would authorize the Department of Consumer Protection to audit hotels to ensure they post human trafficking notices and train employees. You also cannot offer discounts to people who rent motel rooms by the hour. Sen. James Maloney, D-Milford, said Interstate 95 is located between the two World Cup sites, making human trafficking likely to increase during the World Cup. Republicans supported the bill, but argued that in addition to tightening regulations on hotels, there should be harsher penalties for people arrested for human trafficking.
— Emilia Otte, judicial reporter
Don’t watch Aquarion Sale twice
The utility regulator has rejected a request to reconsider its decision last month approving the $2.4 billion sale of Aquarian Water Company. The decision allows Eversource to sell Aquarion to the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, a quasi-public entity. But opponents of the deal, including Attorney General William Tong, have said in recent weeks that PURA missed nearly $500 million in future rate increases during its review of the deal. In Thursday’s ruling, PURA rejected these claims as “exaggerated” and said a review of the original ruling found no errors.
— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter
Sex offender law revision
The Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would reduce penalties for sex offenders who fail to submit address verification forms due to circumstances beyond their control. Sen. Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) noted that those who fail to comply could face felony charges. “It doesn’t matter what you think about certain people…they shouldn’t be penalized for trying to abide by the law,” Winfield said.
Sen. John Kissel (R-Enfield) said the current system is “patently unfair.”
“All of a sudden, their lives were in danger because of the postmark,” he said.
— Emilia Otte, judicial reporter
Expansion of dual credits for free tuition
Connecticut has recently invested millions of dollars into dual credit courses, which many consider a gateway to higher education. These investments could be further expanded under Senate Bill 427. The bill would allow institutions of higher education to apply for state aid in creating dual credit courses. In return, we do not charge high school students tuition fees for these courses. Funding is limited to available budget. The bill also requires the Board of Education to appoint someone to track dual credit courses across the state. SB 427 passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the House.
— Theo Peck-Suzuki, education reporter
AI Small and Medium Enterprise Bill
The Senate passed a comprehensive artificial intelligence bill last week over objections that regulations would hurt businesses. A few days later, lawmakers returned to the topic, this time with an AI bill that could help small business owners. The Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed Senate Bill 417, which requires DECD to create a program to encourage small businesses to use AI. In addition to providing financial assistance to companies interested in using AI, the program will require those companies to develop plans to support and retain employees who may be displaced by AI.
— PR Lockhart, economic development reporter
NAACP Advocacy Day
On Thursday morning, nearly 200 youth advocates ranging from middle school students to college students descended on the state Capitol to make their voices heard. The students were there to participate in the CT NAACP Youth and College Division’s Legislative Day. This day is an opportunity for young people across the state to interact with their legislators, learn about state government, and share their thoughts on bills that directly impact their lives. “Today’s mission was to take back the microphone and make sure the voices of our young people are heard and understood,” said Amir Lott, CT NAACP Youth and College Division President. “It is our future that is affected.”
— PR Lockhart, economic development reporter
Required certificate
The House passed a bill Thursday that would establish long-awaited reforms to the state’s approval process for major health care transactions, known as “certificates of need,” such as hospital unit closures and hospital mergers. The certificate of need process has been subject to intense criticism from many quarters and on both sides of the healthcare industry for years. The bill, backed by Gov. Ned Lamont, would shorten the state’s review timeline and reduce the types of transactions that require state approval. The bill passed almost unanimously on a 149-1 vote. Next we head to the Senate.
— Katie Gorbala, Health Reporter
