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. Demanding debates Josh Elliott’s first public act af ter winning approval of his application for $3.75 million in public financing for his campaign was to urge Democrats demand two things of Gov. Ned Lamont: Commit to support the winner of the primary, and agree to a series of debates. “Any public official asking to keep his job should agree to at least three debates,” Elliott said in an email blast. So far, one is scheduled. — Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief Independent review of former CSCU interim chancellor ahead of schedule Grand River Solutions, the consultant hired to conduct an independent review of how CSCU handled sexual misconduct allegations against former interim chancellor John Maduko, could finish its work before its three-month deadline. Maduko resigned in April amid allegations that he had harassed a female employee over a two-year period. The consulting firm has reviewed all relevant documents in the case and was on track to complete 13 interviews with affected parties, regents and other staff by July 3. The final report is expected in September.  — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter Democrats denounce Fazio’s energy proposals The Connecticut Democratic Party released a statement Friday bashing Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Fazio’s energy plans following a forum in which the state senator said he would work to reduce energy bills by 15% to 20%. Fazio, who serves as a ranking Republican on the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, has long advocated for reducing customers’ bills by removing state-mandated programs that contribute toward the public benefits charge. (Due to several changes implemented earlier this year, the charge currently appears as a credit on most customers’ bills). Fazio also recently criticized Gov. Ned Lamont and Eversource’s response to the severe storms that occurred over the Fourth of July weekend, calling them slow and inadequate. In a statement Friday, the party argued that energy prices have increased due to the war in Iran led by President Donald Trump. “Ryan Fazio’s entire campaign is based on press conferences and empty promises,” Democratic Party spokesman Ian Clarke said in a statement. “He harps on one issue that he refuses to discuss honestly, while ignoring the broader national affordability crisis facing our families. Gov. Lamont and CT Democrats have delivered real, direct relief on taxes, healthcare, education and municipal budgets.”  — John Moritz, Energy and Environment Reporter Trump pressures CT on voting As President Donald Trump tries to clamp down on mail-in voting, his administration is applying pressure on states to change voting rules — or face consequences. Connecticut’s secretary of the state’s office received a letter from the Justice Department stating that elections officials could face criminal prosecution if they don’t take certain actions. The administration also said states must adopt additional voting rules or risk losing anti-terrorism funds. Attorney General William Tong called it another attempt “to commandeer our elections to manipulate and micromanage how we vote.” “Connecticut will continue to administer free and fair elections, will continue to follow all state and federal laws governing elections, and is prepared to take any and all actions to protect our democracy,” Tong said.  — Lisa Hagen, Federal Policy Reporter CT delegation critical of Sikorsky helipad President Donald Trump and Connecticut’s congressional delegation clashed over his announcement that Stratford-based Sikorsky will pay for a new helipad at the White House. They heaped praise on Sikorsky’s helicopters and agreed with Trump about needing to address Marine One’s engine exhaust burning the lawn. But Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy as well as Reps. John Larson, Joe Courtney and Rosa DeLauro accused Trump of “rushing to complete yet another White House project without providing the American people with the transparency they deserve.” “It’s a slap in the face to workers who’ll have to work overtime and the taxpayers who may end up footing the bill,” the Connecticut Democrats said. — Lisa Hagen, Federal Policy Reporter Rep. Geoff Luxenberg appointed deputy speaker of CT House Connecticut Speaker of the House Matt Ritter appointed Rep. Geoff Luxenberg as House of Representatives deputy speaker. Luxenberg has represented Manchester’s 12th District since 2018 and previously served as assistant deputy. As deputy speaker, he will oversee House debates and proceedings when the Speaker is absent. “It is an honor to be promoted to Deputy Speaker of the House, and I take great pride in the trust from Speaker Ritter to serve in this role,” Luxenberg said. Luxenberg will continue to serve on the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding and General Law Committees. He joins more than a dozen other representatives who hold variations of the “deputy speaker” title. — Tran Chau, Reporting Intern Murphy criticizes federal special ed changes Sen. Chris Murphy joined other Senate Democrats in condemning the Trump administration’s decision to rehouse two federal offices relating to special education. OSERS is moving from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services, while OCR is moving to the Department of Justice. In a letter, Senate Democrats said Congress had not given the administration the authority to make such changes, which would have to come through the annual appropriations bill. CT special education advocates also criticized the moves, with one attorney describing them as “an assassination attempt” on the rights of students with disabilities.  — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter Air Line State Park Trail awarded $40 million in federal funds Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Wednesday that Connecticut’s Air Line State Park Trail has received the first installment of what is expected to be a $40 million federal investment to improve access to the 50-mile rail trail. The initial grant, worth over $7 million, is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program. The program was authorized as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump in 2025. It is supported by the federal Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services. “We know the strong connection between physical and mental health, and the Air Line Trail is a tremendous resource our residents can utilize to unlock the health benefits of outdoor exercise,” Lamont said. Developed along a former rail route, the Air Line Trail crosses 12 towns on its way from Portland to Thompson.  — John Moritz, Energy and Environment Reporter DCF emails hit by phishing attack The Department of Children and Families announced on Thursday that staff emails had been hacked on May 20 in a phishing incident. The attacker was able to download emails from two accounts, according to a statement, after those employees opened a “sophisticated” malicious phishing email. According to DCF, the malicious email was proactively removed from the inboxes of other agency employees, and the impacted accounts were also disabled. The same day, the cyber attacker was expelled from state systems by DAS. Referrals were made to law enforcement, and there’s an active investigation into the cyber attack.   — Laura Tillman, Human Services Reporter Connecticut Partnership Plan gets more participants Comptroller Sean Scanlon announced that 17 new municipal groups, representing more than 6,300 people, signed up for the Connecticut Partnership Plan in 2026. The program, which has over 74,700 participants, allows public employees from towns and cities to get the same healthcare coverage as state employees and retirees. Scanlon said the Partnership Plan provides a stable insurance option for municipalities, which can have a hard time finding quality, affordable coverage for their employees. But it’s received criticism from Republicans, who called the plan financially unsustainable after it reported an $18.6 million deficit in fiscal year 2025.  — Katy Golvala, Health Reporter Small Business Administration’s CT district director departs The Connecticut branch of the federal agency tasked with supporting small businesses is currently without a leader. After nearly six years on the job, Catherine Marx stepped down from her position as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Connecticut district director last week after accepting a buyout. In a conversation with the Hartford Business Journal, Marx said that she was not forced out of the position but rather took the buyout option as a chance to pursue new opportunities. The leadership change comes as the SBA continues to navigate a wave of agency-wide restructurings that began last year. Since the start of the Trump administration, the agency has cut more than half of its staff, eliminated some programs and closed several district offices. With Marx’s departure, the SBA’s Connecticut district office has three remaining employees.  — P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter ...read more read less