What happened this session at the capitol

Let’s celebrate you

It was a short legislative session at the state capitol this year, and it was busy. Together, leaders like you sent more than 14,000 emails to the Governor and legislators asking them to fund HUSKY and SNAP, and more than 5,000 for a renter’s tax credit. Hundreds of you turned out to rally for opportunity last week. Dozens of you testified – often for the first time! – to tell legislators what they needed to hear.

Here’s what you did, together:

You got the renter’s tax credit out of committee. That’s a huge victory for the first time a bill is introduced. It didn’t pass into law, but The road isn’t over. Many new ideas don’t become a law their first year. The support and enthusiasm is there, and we’ll be back again to help it go even further next year.

You got the legislature to add $50 million to the federal emergency response fund. Over the weekend, because of your rally and actions, the legislature added $50 million to federal emergency funding, and leaders say they want that money to go to SNAP. Now, the governor has to use it to get people cash. With leaders like Melanie, we’re still pushing for people who’ve lost SNAP to get help, now. And we will keep up the fight on HUSKY.

You secured $300 million in funding for affordable child care. Last year, the legislature created the Early Childhood Education Endowment, which is meant to make child care free and affordable for some families starting in 2028. Starting as of July 1, 2028, families accessing child care through the endowment would pay no more than 7% of their income on child care, and families earning less than $100,000 would pay nothing. The money added to the endowment this year brings affordable child care closer to reality.

You made voting more accessible for working class people. Absentee voting will soon be an option for all Connecticut voters who want to use it, thanks to a bill that passed this year. In 2024, Connecticut voters stood up for busy workers, parents, elderly people, people with disabilities, and others by voting for our state to allow absentee voting for any eligible voter who wants to use it. This law means more working class people will be able to make their voices heard at the ballot box.

As always, the fight for affordability continues. If you attended the Opportunity Means Everybody Rally, testified in front of a committee, or emailed your lawmakers, thank you. Your hard work has been noticed and heard. It has made a difference in inspiring others to take action, and you’ve changed minds.

We’re not slowing down. The fight for affordability happens year round, and we’ll be back for the next session. If you haven’t already, join your community action team for the latest opportunities to make Connecticut work for working class people.