These news briefs are part of The Connecticut Mirror’s 2026 political coverage. For more news about the 2026 legislative session, campaigns, elections and more, sign up here for The Issue, the CT Mirror’s weekly politics newsletter. Reelection campaign launched Comptroller Sean Scanlon op ened his reelection campaign Tuesday with an assertion that might seem out of fashion: Government still can work on behalf of struggling families. “We’re not going to get there just by blaming the other side or doing the same thing we’ve always done,” he said. “It’s time for new ideas. It’s time for big ideas. And I’ll be sharing mine throughout this campaign. And frankly I want to hear yours too.” He is the fourth of the six statewide constitutional officers to open a reelection campaign after the governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of the state.  The attorney general and treasurer are to follow. — Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief Connecticut Education Issues Summit At the Connecticut Education Issues Summit Wednesday, teachers, administrators and board of education members shared how recent federal policy has put immense strain on the state’s public school systems. Speakers and panelists said large, often unexpected funding cuts have forced districts to cut programming, while vulnerable populations — including immigrant and LGBTQ students — feel increasingly threatened by the administration’s actions. Several attendees also issued urgent calls to provide more respect, higher pay and better working conditions to teachers. Others called on the state to reform its special education system, which advocates say is extremely costly and fails many students with disabilities. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter Bronin endorsement Former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin secured an endorsement from VoteVets PAC, a political action committee seeking to elect progressive veterans to federal and local office. Bronin is a Navy veteran who served in Afghanistan in 2010. All of VoteVets endorsed candidates are Democrats. During the previous election cycle, VoteVets spent $50 million on behalf of their endorsed candidates. But it remains to be seen how much it’ll spend on a primary in a safe Democratic seat, compared to elections where Democrats have a chance at flipping a seat from red to blue. — Lisa Hagen, Federal Policy Reporter Planning and Development Rep. Irene Haines, R-East Haddam, will serve as ranking member of the Planning and Development Committee in the new session, replacing Rep. Joe Zullo, R-East Haven. Zullo had additional work commitments that would take more time, he said. Haines was elected in 2019 and last year served on the Education and Finance committees in addition to Planning and Development. The committee deals with a range of issues related to municipalities including zoning, town planning, car tax policy and town regulation. Zullo had served as ranking member of the Planning and Development Committee since 2023. — Ginny Monk, Housing and Children’s Issues Reporter Council of Small Towns The Council of Small Towns (COST) held its annual meeting Thursday and elected Mary Calorio, regional town administrator for the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, as its new president. Calorio has also served as town manager for Killingly. She succeeds North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda as president for the organization. Legislative leaders and Gov. Ned Lamont also spoke at COST’s event on topics ranging from housing to energy costs. Republicans argued for doing away with the public benefits charge, while Lamont was adamant that it needs to stay in place. The charge pays for electrical services for people who can’t afford it. — Ginny Monk, Housing and Children’s Issues Reporter ...read more read less