These news briefs are part of The Connecticut Mirror’s 2026 political coverage. For more Connecticut political news, sign up here for The Issue, the CT Mirror’s weekly politics newsletter.

CT data privacy law sparks lawsuit

A new crop of data privacy laws just went into effect in Connecticut, even as part of the law faces a new legal challenge.

A coalition of data brokers have filed a lawsuit against parts of Public Act No. 26-64, which outlines resident rights and consumer protections. The lawsuit, which was filed in September, specifically challenges the law’s requirement that data brokers delete consumer information from their websites if a deletion request is made by a Connecticut resident.

The plaintiffs, which include broker sites like Spokeo and PeopleConnect, argue that the deletion mechanism will violate decades of First Amendment precedent. A judge has not yet weighed in on the suit, but the case will likely serve as a notable sign of how courts will handle state data privacy regulations moving forward.

— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter

Healthcare subsidies for childcare workers

Connecticut is launching a new program to help early childcare workers pay for plans purchased through Access Health CT, the state’s health insurance marketplace.

Early childhood educators purchasing 2027 coverage through Access Health CT can apply for subsidies of anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 annually. The initiative is funded through $10 million from the state’s Early Childhood Education Endowment.

Earlier this year, Gov. Ned Lamont said the subsidies are meant to reflect “Connecticut’s continued commitment to recruiting and retaining qualified educators.”

Open enrollment for 2027 plans runs from Oct. 23, 2026 to Jan. 15, 2027.

— Katy Golvala, Health Reporter

CT receives federal grant for special ed

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Connecticut over $4.7 million to boost its special education workforce.

The money will expand Connecticut’s existing Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program, or T-RAP, statewide, with an emphasis on training new special education and early intervention teachers. The program pays student teachers to work in the classroom, which advocates say is an important step to make becoming a teacher more affordable.

T-RAP also has $2 million in funding from the state, not limited to special education. It currently has 28 apprentices in eight districts across the state.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter

Business owners, politicians highlight trade concerns

Ongoing concerns over tariffs and trade policy were top of mind for attendees at this week’s Manufacturing Summit, an annual event hosted by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.

Small manufacturers and business owners described continued uncertainty around the issue, saying that the trade war with Canada has put further strain on their work.

Those issues are further explored in CBIA’s new manufacturing report, which highlights that the manufacturing industry is growing, but continues to face issues with workforce shortages, high energy costs and rising expenses.

— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter

CT announces LEAP grant winners

The Connecticut State Department of Education has announced awardees for $6.2 million in grant funds for 29 school districts to expand its touted Learner Engagement and Attendance Program, or LEAP.

The largest grants went to Waterbury, which is receiving $525,000, and Bridgeport, which is getting $475,000.

LEAP began as an effort to draw students back to school following the pandemic. Local volunteers visit families at home to build trust and connect them to resources. State officials say those efforts have played a major role in reducing chronic absenteeism in Connecticut.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter

CT outpaces rest of New England in 2nd quarter GDP growth

While the state economy in Connecticut continues to face a muddled picture on unemployment and labor force shortages, it is also seeing strong GDP growth, according to new data released this week.

The state’s economy grew 3% in the second quarter of 2026. That places its growth at seventh in the nation, with Connecticut’s second quarter GDP growth outpacing every other New England state. The growth was largely fueled by the financial services industry and  Connecticut’s manufacturing industry, which grew 10.6%.

Still, business groups warn that even with the economic growth, the state needs to address a range of issues, including high costs of living, more than 86,000 job openings and affordability issues.

— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter