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.

New Britain’s financial report card

There’s some financial news out of New Britain that does not involve any direct mention of the previous mayor’s handling of her city credit card, among other things. S&P Global Ratings has upgraded the City of New Britain’s long-term general obligation bond rating from ‘A’ to ‘A+’ with a Stable Outlook.

“This upgrade is a direct reflection of the disciplined financial approach our administration has taken since day one,” Mayor Bobby Sanchez said in a statement. “When we came into office, we made a commitment to restore confidence in the City’s finances through responsible budgeting, transparency, and accountability.”

S&P’s take: ”Since taking office in November 2025, the new administration has prioritized fiscal discipline to correct for optimistic budgeting practices that led to inconsistent operations.” 

— Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief

A free college course for every CT high schooler?

CT has invested millions in dual credit courses that give high schoolers college credit. They’re meant to make college more accessible, but not all high schools have the means to implement them.

Now, Gov. Ned Lamont wants to give students at those schools access to a free online course through Charter Oak State College. All public state colleges and universities would enter matriculation agreements with Charter Oak to ensure the credits transfer.

Lamont’s campaign office said the governor would re-introduce the proposal in January if re-elected and that costs would come out of the General Fund. 

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter

Comptroller-supported wage theft bill signed

Efforts to address wage theft in Connecticut have new support. On Tuesday, the governor signed a bill, backed by the state comptroller, during a ceremony in Norwich. The measure gives the comptroller the power to temporarily halt payments to contractors working on state-funded projects if those contractors are being investigated for wage theft violations. The measure was previously introduced in 2025, but did not pass.

The new law goes into effect on Oct. 1.

— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter

U.S. House and Senate split over KOSA

As online protections for children remain a priority for Congress, the House and Senate are split over how to address the issue. The House passed a package of reforms including a version of the Kids Online Safety Act that removes the controversial “duty of care” provision, which requires companies to mitigate harms when designing platforms. U.S. Rep. Jim Himes was Connecticut’s only House member to support the KIDS Act.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who coauthored the Senate version, has been opposed to the House’s efforts. After its passage this week, he said, “We will not greenlight hollow reforms.” 

— Lisa Hagen, Federal Policy Reporter

New review for federal grants

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, and state Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani joined Yale University researchers on Monday to decry a proposed rule by the Trump administration that would subject federal grants to review by political appointees to ensure they “demonstrably advance the president’s policy priorities.”

John Krystal, chair of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, called the proposal a “tragedy” that could interfere “with medical science for decades to come.” The administration is currently accepting comments on the proposal through July 13. If adopted, the changes would go into effect on Oct. 1. 

— Katy Golvala, Health Reporter

PURA releases storm costs draft decision

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority signaled its intention this week to allow Eversource to recover nearly $1 billion in accrued storm costs — but not an additional $400 in million in interest sought by the company. Eversource had been seeking to recuperate the costs spent responding to “catastrophic” storms between 2018 and 2023.  

Last year, lawmakers passed legislation allowing utilities to securitize those costs, meaning they can be paid back over a longer period of time at lower interest rates. Before regulators can approve securitization however, they first have to determine how much of the costs were properly incurred.

Eversource spokeswoman Jamie Ratliff said in a statement Tuesday that the company is evaluating PURA’s draft decision. PURA is scheduled to issue its final decision in the case on July 29.

— John Moritz, Energy and Environment Reporter

UConn adds more hospitals to its system

UConn Health on Monday posted a notice to its website announcing it will apply for state approval to acquire Bristol and Day Kimball Hospitals. The notice must remain posted for 20 days before UConn can apply for approval, which the hospital plans to do later this month, according to a spokesperson. Bristol and Day Kimball leaders expect the deals to close later this year or early next year.

The deal is seen by many as a win-win: The acquisitions will provide needed support for the independent community hospitals, while also facilitating the expansion of UConn Health, which state officials have said is critical to its survival. 

— Katy Golvala, Health Reporter

A boost for CT’s early childhood fund

Lamont announced on Tuesday that he would direct $411.7 million into the Early Childhood Education Endowment. The fund got its first infusion of $300 million in 2025. 

In an ambitious plan, the fund will make preschool free for low-income families and affordable for all families, while also providing childcare to very young children at no or low-cost.

“Making Connecticut more affordable means making it easier for families to live, work, and raise children here,” Governor Lamont said in a statement. 

— Laura Tillman, Human Services Reporter