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. Lamont support for Ganim reelection Bridgeport Mayor Joseph P. Ganim, whose two tenures in city hall were interrupted by a stay in prison on a federal corruption conviction, is kicking off his 2027 reelection campaign on April 16 with an event headlined by Gov. Ned Lamont, whom he challenged for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2018. Lamont is facing a potential primary challenge this year from Rep. Josh Elliott as he seeks a third term, and staying on good terms with the mayor of Connecticut’s largest city probably isn’t bad politics, though Ganim’s detractors might disagree. Ganim’s second turn in city hall has been marked by close reelections marred by incidents of absentee ballot irregularities. — Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief Commerce calls for DECD study, but funding in question On Tuesday, in its last meeting before the deadline to advance bills, the Commerce Committee voted in favor of House Bill 5145, which calls for a study into “economic development issues” in the state. The study, which would be completed before January 2027, would be conducted by the Department of Economic and Community Development. There’s just one problem: DECD says it doesn’t have the money for it. In written testimony filed last month, DECD Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe noted the issue, saying that money for the study was not included in the governor’s budget. So far, there hasn’t been much discussion of how legislators intend to fund the proposal.  — P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter Democratic convention at Bushnell It hasn’t been officially announced, but the Democratic Party has signed a contract to bring its state nominating convention to the Bushnell theater in Hartford for the first time since 1982.  Back then, Gov. William A. O’Neill managed to deny House Speaker Ernest Abate of Stamford the 20% of the convention vote then necessary to qualify for a primary. The threshold now is 15%, and there also is a petition route to a primary. Both parties are endorsing candidates for governor on May 16. Republicans are meeting at the Mohegan Sun. The GOP convention is a two-day affair, beginning on the 15th. — Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief Direct care spending in nursing homes Nursing homes would have to spend at least 80% of their revenue on the direct care of residents under a bill passed by the Human Services Committee. Under the measure, the state’s social services commissioner would be able to decrease Medicaid reimbursement rates for any nursing home that does not comply beginning July 1, 2028. Exceptions could be made for facilities with capital improvement projects or fair rent increases. Direct care means the hands-on care of residents by nursing personnel, including dressing, feeding and bathing. The committee voted 16-7 in favor of advancing the bill. — Jenna Carlesso, Investigative Reporter House OKs two PURA nominees The House confirmed two of Gov. Ned Lamont’s nominees to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on Wednesday. By a voice vote, the chamber overwhelmingly approved the nominations of Janice Beecher, a former energy policy professor, and former state Rep. Holly Cheeseman to join the five-member board which is in charge of reviewing and approving utility rates. Beecher and Cheeseman are part of a slate of four nominees announced by Lamont last year. The other two, investor Everett Smith and Interim Chairman Thomas Wiehl, are up for a vote in the Senate. Both chambers must sign off on all four picks.  — John Moritz, Environment Energy Reporter Bill proposes giving away transfer station Lawmakers in the northwest corner have filed a conveyance bill to again block the sale of the Torrington transfer station to a private company. The private company, USA Waste and Recycling, has offered to buy the facility for $3.25 million. That proposal was controversially blocked last year through language inserted into the state budget. This year’s legislation, Senate Bill 521, would instead force the state to sell the transfer station to the Northwest Resource Recovery Authority for no more than the administrative costs of the transaction, to be operated as a public facility on behalf of nearby towns. — John Moritz, Environment Energy Reporter Blumenthal efforts fall short on VA abortion rule U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., sought to use a procedural move this week to overturn a Department of Veterans Affairs’ policy. The final VA rule reverses a Biden-era rule from 2022 that provided abortion counseling and care to veterans in cases of rape or incest. Lawmakers can try to overturn certain agency rules through Congressional Review Act resolutions. Blumenthal’s measure fell short of reaching a simple majority. “Shamefully, they are denying women veterans who have been raped or whose health is at risk the essential health care they need,” Blumenthal said Wednesday. — Lisa Hagen, Federal Policy Reporter Angel investor tax credit proposal draws heavy support A proposal before the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee this week is drawing a lot of attention from businesses in the state. House Bill 5571 would change Connecticut’s angel investor tax credit, which supports investors into local businesses, by changing eligibility definitions and lowering residency thresholds to expand the number of businesses eligible for the credit. Dozens of people, including business owners and state officials, have registered written testimony in support of the bill. The bill was further discussed at a public hearing on Friday, with supporters arguing that the proposal will increase innovation and boost regional competitiveness. — P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter Mobile homes bill moves forward Danbury Democrats on Wednesday celebrated committee approval of a bill that would ensure all mobile home residents have access to fair rent commissions and introduce other consumer protections. House Bill 5226 would also require more transparency about land rent fees for mobile home park residents and require that park owners give residents advance notice about rent increases. The bill passed the General Law Committee. Democrats tried to pass a similar measure last session, but it wasn’t called in the Senate. — Ginny Monk, Housing Children’s Issues Reporter DCF nominee gains committee approval The Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee on Tuesday approved the appointment of a new commissioner for the Department of Children and Families. Interim Commissioner Susan Hamilton’s appointment will next head to the House for approval. Her nomination comes at a time when DCF is under scrutiny for several high-profile cases, including the fatality of a child in New Britain and the alleged imprisonment of a Waterbury man for decades. Hamilton previously served as commissioner under former Gov. M. Jodi Rell and would replace former Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly, who left the agency in September. — Ginny Monk, Housing Children’s Issues Reporter Overdoses decline Connecticut Intelligence Center Director Evan Allard said on Monday that overdoses in the state had dropped 45% from 2021 to 2025. He said that decline directly correlated to increased availability of naloxone. Luiza Barnat, director of opioid services at the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, said the department distributed nearly 80,000 naloxone leave-behind kits statewide in 2025. And CT National Guard Sgt. John Wardrop said DMHAS had provided kits to communities that had seen a number of fatal overdoses between March and June 2025. “Naloxone enables us to act immediately, with every second that counts,” said State Police Major William Utermarck. — Emilia Otte, Justice Reporter ...read more read less