Dear Neighbors,

On February 5th, Governor Lamont presented the 2026-2027 biennial budget to the CT General Assembly. The budget covers a two-year time period.

I was pleased to hear that the governor is prioritizing early childhood education and care, as well as making it easier for families and businesses to call CT home. Some of the proposals that the governor mentioned that I hope will pass in the final budget are: 

• Creating a universal Preschool Endowment Fund to make pre-K and early childhood education and care affordable and accessible, a key factor in getting parents back to work.
• Free breakfast for all children so that children are getting the nutrition they need to be able to learn and thrive.
• Increasing the property tax credit for homeowners to $350 per homeowner and continuing the Time to Own program, which helps first-time homeowners.
• Eliminating licensing fees for teachers, nurses, electricians, plumbers - all of which we have a shortage of in the state - to make it easier for people to work and live in CT, as well as expanding a program that reduces healthcare costs for small businesses.

The presentation of the budget is the starting point for a discussion between the governor and legislators. Between now and June, there are many steps until a final budget is approved.

First, the Finance and Appropriations Committees will review the governor's budget, then hold public hearings. After that, the Appropriations Subcommittees and Office of Fiscal Analysis will submit their recommendations which will be discussed with the chairs of committees and the leadership of the legislature. 

Ultimately - like all bills - the budget will come before the state House and Senate for a vote in June and then be presented to the governor for a signature or veto.

My best regards,

Public hearings are in full swing. Here is some information on how to track bills and sign up for public hearings so that you can make sure your voice is heard.

Celebrating WBDC Ignite Grant Recipients

A few weeks ago, I visited Pranna Physical Therapy of Stamford, one of the winners of the Women’s Business Development Council’s (WBDC) Ignite Grant. This incredible program is dedicated to empowering and supporting women-owned businesses as they grow and thrive. Since its inception, the program has provided critical funding to 365 women-owned businesses in Connecticut, totaling $3.3 million. 

Last year, Representative Meskers and I participated  in a roundtable discussion with the WBDC where we zeroed in on the unique challenges facing women entrepreneurs and business owners. The biggest message that I got from that meeting was that we need to do more to support women’s entrepreneurship in this state.

In the past 20 years, CT-based women-owned businesses have grown by 56%, and now contribute more than 16 billion dollars a year to our gross state product. Nationwide, women-owned businesses are growing at five times the national average of all firms. The really impressive thing is that they now employ over 10 million people and generate over $2 trillion in sales every year!

Our economic future depends on women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. And, as the parent of four daughters, I want women to have every possible opportunity open to them. 

Upcoming Events:

Flood Mitigation Grant Support

Please reserve a spot at the above links for the sessions. WestCOG will discuss what available flood mitigation grants there are as well as the property eligibility requirements that have to be met. There will also be free technical assistance available.

You can find more information online here or send an email to Jaclyn Reelick at jreelick@westcog.org.

AARP Foundation Free Tax Help

Greenwich Alliance for Education Trivia Night

A Trivia Challenge will be held on Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Tamarack Country Club to benefit the Greenwich Alliance for Education. This year's theme is “Play Ball” and with spring training just a few weeks away, you’d better believe I think it is a perfect theme.

The ticket price includes six rounds of competitive and fun trivia as well dinner and drinks at the country club. There will also be a silent online auction and a paddle raise for the AVID SUCCESS Scholarship Fund. A generous donor will match $25K for scholarships if you’d like to make a contribution you can do so online here. 

This event will support the Greenwich Alliance for Education, our public school non-profit education foundation, and everyone signing up can have a great time playing the trivia.  

More information is online here and you buy tickets, donate an auction item or contribute to the scholarship fund.

Indian Cultural Center: My Story, Our Future Exhibit

The Greenwich Historical Society is once again partnering with the India Cultural Center and UCONN’s Department of Social and Critical Inquiry program in Asian American Studies on the “My Story, Our Future: South Asian American Youth Voices in Connecticut” exhibit from February 2-March 3. This exhibit helps build awareness of the immense contributions of South Asian Americans, as well as the challenges, struggles and triumphs that immigrant families have experienced while assimilating to living in the U.S. More information is online here.

Coffee for Good Teddy Bear Story Hour

Jenny Byxbee will be leading “Teddy Bear Story Hour With Jenny” from 8 to 9 a.m. at Coffee for Good at 48 Maple Avenue. This is for kids ages infant to toddler and their caregivers. These young kids will get a chance to hear some beloved stories and parents and other caregivers will be able to enjoy everything Coffee for Good has to offer.