Many poke fun at Connecticut as the “land of steady habits.” And it’s true: change can be hard for us. But prominent leaders in this state see change as an inherent part of who we are — just as much as those persistently steady habits we hold dear. We challenged a handful of leading Connecticut voices to tell us what they’d like to see change in the coming year. Here are a few of their answers. Sarah Bodley, reSET Credit: Courtesy photo In 2026, reSET wants to see Connecticut companies — from startups to established corporations — recognize that doing business for social impact is good economics. reSET entrepreneurs prove this daily: Businesses solving food insecurity, creating accessible retail opportunities, and building inclusive supply chains generate revenue while strengthening the entire economic ecosystem. When businesses center social impact in their missions and daily operations, they invite innovation that builds wealth in underresourced communities, develop more sustainable products, foster customer loyalty transcending price competition, and intersect across sectors to create lasting positive change. In an increasingly values-driven marketplace, Connecticut businesses can stand out with this approach. Since 2013 reSET has helped over 500 entrepreneurs launch and grow with impact, creating over 450 jobs, raising over $19 million in funding and generating over $30 million in revenue. Connecticut’s economy grows stronger when businesses measure success not just in quarterly earnings, but in community wealth creation, environmental sustainability and equitable opportunity. In 2026, we challenge Connecticut’s business community to ask: What social challenge can our business help solve? That shift in mindset toward profit through purpose will define our state’s economic resilience and competitive edge for decades to come. Antoinette Brim-Bell, Connecticut’s State Poet Laureate Credit: Courtesy photo My answer is not so much a change, but perhaps a deepening commitment to the installation of additional municipal poet laureates. Municipal poet laureates are literary advocates tasked with making poetry more accessible to their communities through readings, writing workshops and craft lectures. They curate voices whose lived experiences offer comfort, encourage empathy, learning and collaboration, thus bolstering community pride and engagement. Often, laureates collaborate with public libraries, educational institutions, and historical societies, using the literary arts to enhance understanding of history, science, and communication. Types of programming and collaborations in Connecticut have included ekphrastic exhibits, poetry inspired by visual art, where the poetry is shown alongside the paintings; Vietnam veterans writing about their wartime experiences; grade-schoolers sharing their immigration stories; elders embarking on poetic journeys of memory; intergenerational writing workshops where parents, grandparents and children share musings and meditations; and writing workshops hosted by historical sites and museums that provide historical context and inspire writers of all levels. The beauty of the municipal poet laureate is that they are of that community, a present resource. Additionally, the collaboration between municipal poet laureates and the state poet laureate ensures that Connecticut remains culturally rich with a confluence of poetic voices. Barbara Fair, Stop Solitary CT Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror In 2026 my primary wish is for us to work toward ONE Connecticut. Second, I want a transparent government that embraces integrity, honesty and the good will of all Connecticut residents. 2025 brought countless investigative stories exposing several levels of corruption within the current administration. Corruption has no place in government of the people, by the people and for the people because it undermines the people’s trust. We need leadership that commands integrity and holds those accountable who falter. Third, I would like to see legislation signed into law be enforced. For laws to impact unscrupulous behavior, enforcement is crucial. Absence of enforcement indicates a lack of respect for the law, a breeding ground for violations. Fourth, I would like to see mandated reporting include a mandated plan of action for alleviating the issue. Far too many show little to no improvement in the conditions they report. From year to year, conditions remain constant or worsen. In the end one must question: Is that a good return on investments of millions of dollars? Last, we need an end to bureaucracy that suffocates the life out of change. Tessa Hallinan, Connecticut’s Kid Governor I chose inclusion for kids with disabilities as my platform for running for Connecticut’s Kid Governor because I have many relatives who have disabilities. My cousin has dyslexia, my step-cousin is teased because he is a cancer survivor and has to wear bags around his waist, and my step-cousin has autism. In 2026, I plan to work on my three point plan which includes sharing videos on my web page about including, accepting and understanding kids with disabilities; inviting schools to start buddy systems that pairs fifth grade leaders with kids with disabilities; and encouraging schools to designate a “Buddy Lunch Table” in the cafeteria where students can sit if they feel left out or need a friend. Steven Hernández, Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now In 2026, Connecticut has to treat student achievement like the defining work of our public education system, not one priority among many. Too many children are moving through school without mastering reading and math, particularly children of color and those living in poverty, and we all know what that means: fewer doors open later, and fewer chances to build the life they deserve. We cannot normalize that. The path forward is not mysterious. First, we should deliver on the early literacy commitments already made and match that same level of seriousness in math, starting early. Early numeracy is not just another subject. It is how children learn patterns, logic and problem solving, the building blocks that unlock confidence and future potential in a changing economy and emerging careers. Connecticut should extend strong instruction and supports in reading and math into the upper elementary and middle grades, not wait for failure to show up in algebra. Second, we should make high-impact tutoring in reading and math a reliable part of the school day for students who fall behind, with clear statewide standards and sustained funding, not short-term pilots. Finally, families need a system they can actually use. That means language access built in from the start, real public options held to the same expectation of results, and investing in the educators who carry this work, especially in high-need schools. If we act with urgency and align around what works, 2026 can be a turning point for students and for Connecticut. Ned Lamont, Connecticut Governor Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror Next year, I want more young people to feel they can build their future in Connecticut. We’re making it easier to create housing, expanding universal childcare, investing in our colleges and universities, rebuilding our cities, and maintaining the best K–12 schools in the country. Still, many young people feel left behind. I want them starting families here, buying homes, launching businesses, and knowing they can truly thrive. Together, we can keep building the most family-friendly state in the nation and ensure every child has the chance to learn, grow and succeed. The earliest years of education are especially critical. Parents across Connecticut often tell me their child’s success began with strong early learning and the dedicated teachers who made it possible. That’s why expanding childcare and early education for every family, regardless of income or ZIP code, remains a top priority. In January 2026, Connecticut will add 1,000 new Early Start CT spaces to increase access to affordable, high-quality early childhood care. It’s real progress, and only the beginning. Finally, the past year has shown the importance of lowering the temperature of our public discourse and treating one another with respect. Connecticut has avoided many of the divisions seen elsewhere, and that tone must continue with elected officials, me included, as we embrace positive change. Ben Proto, Connecticut Republican Party Credit: Shahrzad Rasekh / CT Mirror As chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party, the obvious answer is new, dynamic leadership for Connecticut: a Republican Governor, more Republican members of the General Assembly and Republicans holding statewide and federal offices. However, to achieve that change, we need a Connecticut Republican Party that is focused, disciplined, and relentlessly committed to winning. Republicans must put results ahead of ego, teamwork ahead of self-promotion, and winning ahead of personal squabbles. Republicans cannot afford internal distractions. Every ounce of our energy must be directed toward earning the trust of families who feel squeezed by the high taxes, unaffordable housing, rising energy costs and a state government that too often seems disconnected from their daily lives. We must speak clearly and honestly. Our voice must be strong, authentic and without apology. We need a united Republican Party that recognizes we are judged not only by our actions but also by our ability to lead Connecticut. If we stay focused and work together, 2026 can be the year we begin to restore to Connecticut what is so desperately needed: balance, accountability and common sense to Connecticut government. A strong two-party system is the change Connecticut needs in 2026. Bill Shufelt and John Walker, Athletic Brewing Co. One thing we’d love to see in 2026 is Connecticut fully embracing and promoting everything that already makes it special. Connecticut is not only an outstanding travel destination, but also a place where people can lay down roots, start families and build lasting businesses. Connecticut is widely regarded as the pizza capital of the U.S., earning national praise year after year, but the story doesn’t stop at thin-crust pies. From Gioia in New Haven and Community Table in New Preston, to Bar Bouchée in Madison, The Whelk in Westport, and Fresh Salt in Old Saybrook, the dining scene is exceptional, with local products — including Athletic — proudly on the menu. That quality was recently recognized when Athletic received the 2025 CRAZIES Vendor of the Year award from the Connecticut Restaurant Association. Beyond food and drink, Connecticut offers incredible beaches, trails and outdoor spaces that make it a unique place to visit and live. Through our Two For The Trails environmental grant program, we’re proud to help support and protect many of these natural destinations. Connecticut is also an excellent place to launch your startup. With a strong talent pool, a supportive business climate, and partners like Connecticut Innovations, we’ve seen firsthand how the state can help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life and turn them into enduring businesses. What do you think? What’s one thing you’d like to see change in Connecticut in 2026? Email us your (short) answer at [email protected] and we’ll share a few on our social media. ...read more read less