Connecticut lawmakers returned to the capitol Wednesday for the start of the 2026 legislative session.
The session will include adjustments to the state’s two-year budget and ongoing bipartisan concerns about housing and energy bill affordability and federal funding cuts.
Gov. Ned Lamont said he plans to propose a rent cap to help residents with skyrocketing prices amid a housing crisis. He also plans to pitch a one-time energy bill rebate for millions of Connecticut customers.
'Times that try men's souls'
In his state of the state address, Lamont said Connecticut is seeking to remain stable and protect its most vulnerable from chaos swirling in the White House.
The Democrat criticized the Trump administration's decision to send thousands of federal agents to Minnesota, where they have cracked down on immigrants and battled with demonstrators.
"Masked federal agents have descended on Minneapolis terrorizing communities, tearing families apart," Lamont said. "Two young Americans, a mom and and ICU nurse, shot dead ... these are times that try men's souls."
Lamont said Connecticut is protecting immigrants in schools and courthouses because immigrants are going to those locations to follow the law, not to break the law.
In a special session last November, Connecticut Democrats banned ICE agents from making arrests at state courthouses, unless they have a judicial warrant.
'Turn off the damn smartphone'
Lamont spoke in support of a proposal to ban cellphones in Connecticut schools.
"Turn off the damn smartphone," Lamont said to applause from lawmakers. "No phones bell to bell in any of our schools."
Lamont also said Connecticut should work with neighboring states to require parental permission, before young people under the age of 18 are allowed to access social media apps.
"Social media can also feed a sense of isolation, and persecution, and anger. That's a dangerous psychological cocktail," he said. "Protect our kids."
Proposal for free meals at schools
Lamont is proposing universal school breakfasts for Connecticut kids in grades K through 12. The over $12 million plan is part of his proposed budget adjustments released Wednesday.
State Rep. Jen Leeper, Democratic co-chair of the Education Committee, said the initiative would come at a crucial time.
"We know our families who are right on that cusp of qualifying are really struggling under the cost of inflation and all the rising costs, " Leeper said. "Whatever we can do to give a little extra support for those kids so that they are well-fed and ready to learn, I think it's great."
The proposal also includes free meals for kids who currently have reduced price meals. Lamont pitched the idea of universal free breakfasts in schools last year, but the effort didn’t make it into the final budget.
$200K for bear awareness
As human-bear conflicts rise in Connecticut, the Lamont administration wants to direct $200,000 to state environmental officials to boost education about being "bear aware."
Democratic State Rep. Joe Gresko is on the Environment Committee. He said the state should also focus on keeping bears out of trash cans.
"Educating people is key," he said, "but also putting money up front to have these bear-proof receptacles made easily accessible to residents an area where we know the problems are is a great first step."
Lawmakers tried to legalize a bear hunt as recently as last year, but the effort didn’t pass. Gresko said the state needs to try other solutions before turning to a hunt.
More state action may be needed, House leader says
Democratic House Speaker Matt Ritter told Connecticut Public’s “The Wheelhouse” that the state may need to take more action this session to make up for federal funding cuts.
“Obviously, there’s been a lot made about the cuts from the federal government,” Ritter said. “We’ve done a good job of, for example, subsidizing those health premiums that would have expired otherwise.”
Worries continue about federal funding uncertainty
Lawmakers are expected to continue a $500 million-dollar emergency relief fund that was authorized late last year to cover federal policy changes. About $300 million remains available in that fund, Ritter said.
As federal funding uncertainty continues, Connecticut’s House Republican leader said affordability concerns remain front of mind for his caucus this session.
State Rep. Vincent Candelora told “The Wheelhouse” that inflation and high food prices are hammering state residents and that Republicans want to help.
“We’re looking at proposing property tax relief in particular,” Candelora said. “We would like to see more money go into education, which would also, as a correlation, offset property taxes since education relies so heavily on that real property tax.”
Candelora said ongoing federal cuts have been a “nightmare,” but that state lawmakers must be careful about using state money to cover the loss of that funding.
Connecticut Public’s Michayla Savitt, Daniela Doncel, Áine Pennello, Matt Dwyer and Patrick Skahill contributed to this report.
