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. Right place, wrong time Betsy McCaughey had the right id ea, just the wrong time. A wild card in the three-way GOP gubernatorial nomination contest, the 77-year-old Newsmax host unexpectedly appeared in the state Capitol press room to offer a rebuttal to Gov. Ned Lamont’s State of the State. One problem: He still was delivering, occupying reporters. When the speech ended and the press began seeking reactions, McCaughey was gone. She left behind a press release, a prebuttal, if you will, of what rosy things he might say about the state economy. — Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief Elliott fires at Lamont Rep. Josh Elliott of Hamden, the liberal trying to convince Democrats that Lamont is too moderate in his manner and policies, made little effort to get into the conversation Wednesday about Lamont’s speech and his surprisingly strong denunciation of ICE tactics. But he found his voice Friday in a fundraising appeal torching the governor. “Ned Lamont shows up when it’s safe. He speaks out when the danger has passed. He defends his principles right up until they become inconvenient,” Elliott said. His closing line: “Connecticut deserves a governor with a moral compass that doesn’t spin with the wind.” — Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief Fazio joins Stewart in qualifying for public financing The gubernatorial campaign of Sen. Ryan Fazio, R-Greenwich, qualified for public campaign financing this week. He will soon get a convention grant of $806,875, which  is a one-quarter advance on the primary grant he will get if he qualifies for the GOP primary. Erin Stewart already got her convention grant. They are the only two gubernatorial candidates to qualify so far. Lamont has opted out of the voluntary program and will largely self-fund his reelection campaign. — Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief AI discrimination to be avoided As lawmakers discuss AI policy this session, specific algorithmic discrimination proposals are unlikely to be included, according to Sen. James Maroney, D-Milford. The topic is controversial, with state lawmakers pulling references to algorithmic bias from their amended AI proposal last year. The Trump administration has also pledged to take action against states with algorithmic discrimination policies on the books, making it hard for lawmakers to see a way forward, Maroney said. Instead, the state will address AI-based discrimination complaints under current law, with Attorney General William Tong telling The Connecticut Mirror that his office will take algorithmic discrimination claims seriously. — P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter Towing report released A working group asked to review the revamping of the state’s more than 100-year-old towing laws by the legislature submitted a 16-page report that would eliminate placing values on towed vehicles and force public auctions for all vehicles after 30 days. It also would require the state Department of Motor Vehicles to establish a website listing every car that has been towed and when the public auction to sell it will be held. DMV Commissioner Tony Guerrera presented the report to the Transportation Committee which is expected to hold a public hearing on the topic this session. — Dave Altimari, Investigative Reporter Lamont cautious on economy In his speech, the governor spoke carefully about the economy, mindful of the mistake made by Joe Biden, whose administration continually used positive macroeconomic data to tell Americans they were wrong to feel so rattled about inflation. Lamont did cite the state having the fourth best economic growth in most recent quarter and that unemployment was lower than the national average. But in pitching a tax rebate, he commiserated that residents, in an unusually cold winter, were “facing enormous heating bills, not to mention inflationary food and housing.” — Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief Committee on Children sets priorities The Committee on Children agreed to pursue a slew of priorities on Thursday, approving concepts for bills, ranging from the establishment of an Infant Surrender Task Force to a municipal camp bill that would require employees to complete free mandated reporter training. Those concepts revisit attempted legislation from the 2025 session with tweaks to address concerns. The committee also approved concepts regarding affordability, child care subsidies, recommendations of the Department of Children and Families, and an act that would require some agencies to report the costs of programs that serve children and families. — Laura Tillman, Human Services Reporter Aging Committee lays out priorities Training requirements for workers at homemaker companion agencies, the use of technology for virtual visitation in nursing homes and restrictions on private equity ownership of nursing facilities were among the key priorities members of the Aging Committee discussed at their first meeting Thursday. Lawmakers plan to shape legislation around those concepts this session. They also hope to tackle a family caregiver tax credit, public hearings for certain rate increases at assisted living centers, and “fear of retaliation” training for employees in managed residential communities, among other issues. Rep. Jay Case, R-Winchester, cautioned against imposing too severe restrictions on private equity ownership. “A number of our nursing homes right now are struggling, and one in my district alone needs some major upgrades,” he said. “The only way they can do that is with private equity.” — Jenna Carlesso, Investigative Reporter Proposal would expedite health care approvals Gov. Ned Lamont wants to streamline state approval of major hospital deals, like mergers, acquisitions and unit closures — a process that has gotten heated criticism from both sides of the aisle and many corners of the health industry. A proposal submitted this week by the governor to the Public Health Committee allows for the creation of an “expedited review” for certain categories of applications. It also increases the penalty from — $1,000 a day to $5,000 — for hospitals that make changes, like closing a unit, without getting state approval first. — Katy Golvala, Health Reporter Housing council starts its work The Council on Housing Development, which will offer guidance to towns on implementing the housing bill that passed during the legislative session last year, met for the first time this week. Members said Tuesday they have a long list of goals, including to approve towns’ housing growth plans that will be submitted starting in 2028. Ahead of that, they’ll work with the Office of Policy and Management on guidelines for developing the plans, finding funding sources for towns that need infrastructure improvements and making other recommendations for implementing House Bill 8002. — Ginny Monk, Housing and Children’s Issues Reporter ...read more read less