GNACC Government Affairs Committee

03/04/2026

Dear friends and colleagues,

We need you to write a letter to the legislature and show your impact now! In the aftermath of last year’s destabilizing NEH, NEA, and IMLS funding terminations, CT Humanities (CTH) and CT Arts Alliance (CAA) need your help as we continue to advocate for robust funding for our state’s cultural organizations.

Our most important public hearing of this year is coming up soon! We will be speaking before the Finance Committee on Wednesday, March 11 at 11:00 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Ave. in Hartford in support of H.B. 5443, which would provide half of the one percent meals tax to the Tourism Fund.

If you live in Connecticut and are receiving this email, we need you to share why humanities and arts organizations are essential to our state! We ask you to submit written testimony, and consider testifying in-person or via Zoom if you feel that you have a compelling story to share. Please note, if you provide oral testimony, you will have only three minutes to speak and it goes by very quickly, so make sure that you time yourself to stay within limits. When providing oral testimony, you are encouraged to summarize your full written testimony online and summarize your key points for the committee.

We are asking you, your staff, and your board members to show the profound and meaningful impact that programming and funding through CTH and CT Office of the Arts (COA) has had on your organization and, most importantly, to your visitors and your community. Demonstrate local and state impact and how the cultural sector contributes to Connecticut’s success in the following ways:

~ Workforce Development
~ Economic Development
~ Educational Attainment
~ Out of State Investment
~ Cultural Vibrancy
~ Civic and Community Health
~ America 250 | CT

Please see our testimony template for more details on the types of stories we are looking for, and draft your testimony today. We do not yet have the link to submit testimony, but we will send a follow-up message later this week when the link becomes available.

The progress we have made in our efforts so far is the result of your past work advocating on behalf of our sector. I know we can count on you to help us show the legislature the value and impact of our collective work in the state. I look forward to updating you as the legislative session moves forward.

Gratefully,

Jason R. Mancini, Ph.D.
Executive Director, CT Humanities
https://cthumanities.org/advocacy/?mc_cid=1bc521cdd5&mc_eid=ed8b6f8a43

02/16/2026

Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program Now Accepting Applications for New Grant Round

Program Providing Direct Financial Relief for Student Loan Payments Made in 2025
2/09/2026

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Office of Higher Education today announced that the Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program has opened a new grant round and is now accepting applications for student loan payments that were made during the 2025 calendar year.

Press Release Homepage Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program Now Accepting Applications for New Grant Round Program Providing Direct Financial Relief for Student Loan Payments Made in 2025 2/09/2026 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Office ...

02/14/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HNsmtgJt6/

02/12/2026

For small employers, offering a retirement program like MyCTSavings can boost employee retention

Gusto, an HR platform for payroll and benefits, recently conducted research showing the benefits of offering a retirement program to employees. Their analysis showed:

Among businesses with fewer than 10 employees, only 15% of employees have access to a retirement plan nationwide
Among businesses with 100+ employees, 65% of employees had access to a retirement plan nationwide

With more than 17 states implementing Auto-IRA programs like MyCTSavings, which is free to employers, it is easier than ever for small employers to offer retirement savings. And giving employees an opportunity to save for the future has upsides for employers as well.

Gusto’s research showed employees who are offered retirement benefits are, on average, 40% less likely to leave in the first year. In sectors like retail, food and beverage, the number can be up to 54%. Gusto’s analysis notes that, “businesses quickly moving to offer retirement benefits have the advantage – they’ll keep top talent, while staying compliant with state regulations. Ultimately this protects their bottom line in an uncertain economy.”

If you are an employer with 5+ full-time and part-time employees, and do not offer a retirement plan, register at www.myctsavings.com. Your employees will have an opportunity to save into a Roth IRA through payroll contributions, and your business may gain a competitive edge in hiring and retaining employees. https://www.myctsavings.com/

Source: One Secret to Retaining Top Talent? Offering Retirement Benefits | Gusto https://gusto.com/resources/gusto-insights/one-secret-to-retaining-top-talent-offering-retirement-benefits

MyCTSavings is an exciting new retirement savings program, sponsored by the State of Connecticut’s Retirement Security Authority. It’s a new, seamless way to help Connecticut employees save and plan for the future.

02/04/2026

News Release:

US Department of Labor announces compliance assistance tools to help employers understand federal labor laws, avoid violations | U.S. Department of Labor

At the Wage and Hour Division, we know that employers and employees alike struggle to find enough time in the day to learn and understand all the government regulations that may apply to the workplace. We want to help.

As part of our compliance assistance outreach efforts, the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (USDOL/WHD), has created new tools with simple, straightforward guidance to help employers and workers get the information they need in the limited time they have available.

The resources below may help prevent federal labor violations from occurring and benefit everyone in the workplace.

· New compliance assistance webpage: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/compliance-assistance

· Updated video series on the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZlQjQks9Dw&list=PLY-LCLcsLXVF56yCQJ2tHyfGJQ1U3tBC2

· New Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) webpage
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla

· New video series on the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY-LCLcsLXVFbB9OsVIiW2t5R9tyvIorx

· Updated compliance assistance toolkits for varied industries
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/compliance-assistance/toolkits

In addition to new tools, USDOL/WHD is increasing its public engagement with industry leaders, employers, advocates, and state agencies.

· The Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program helps employers resolve Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) wage violations and specific violations under the FMLA. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/paid

· Our Opinion Letter request program is designed to offer practical answers specific to your workplace situation when application of existing guidance is unclear. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/opinion-letters/request

USDOL/WHD is committed to helping employers and workers develop a greater understanding of federal labor laws. All workers deserve to feel secure that they are receiving their full, legal pay. All employers deserve to grow their business without worrying about unknown government regulations disrupting their goals.

USDOL/WHD wants to prove that a helpful government should be the expectation and not the exception. Visit our website or call our toll-free helpline at 866-4-US-WAGE. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd

01/28/2026

01/20/2026

Press Release Homepage Governor Lamont Acts To Protect Connecticut Farmland and Open Space From Rising Tax Assessments 1/19/2026 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is taking immediate action to prevent dramatic increases in property tax assessments on Connecticut farmland...

01/15/2026

Governor Lamont Signs Executive Order To Improve State Licensing, Certification, and Permitting Processes and Response Times
Executive Order Requires Application Fees Be Refunded if Licenses, Certificates, and Permits Are Not Processed by Certain Deadlines

1/15/2026

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed an executive order (Executive Order No. 26-1) to improve the processes and response times Connecticut residents and businesses face when applying for and renewing state licenses, certifications, and permits, with the goal of making it easier and faster to interact and complete such transactions with state government.

Press Release Homepage Governor Lamont Signs Executive Order To Improve State Licensing, Certification, and Permitting Processes and Response Times Executive Order Requires Application Fees Be Refunded if Licenses, Certificates, and Permits Are Not Processed by Certain Deadlines 1/15/2026 (HARTFORD,...

01/14/2026

Pemberton declares victory for the 139th District special election
Norwich Bulletin
Jan. 13, 2026Updated Jan. 14, 2026, 4:32 p.m. ET

With the results of the 139th District special election, history has been made again in eastern Connecticut.

Democratic candidate Larry Pemberton has declared victory in the election. With his victory, Pemberton, who is a member of the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation, is the first Native American elected to the Connecticut General Assembly.

Democrat Larry Pemberton made history in the Jan. 13 special election, as he is the first Native American elected to the Connecticut General Assembly.

01/07/2026

Reminder to register for our GNACC Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday, January 27th at the Holiday Inn, Norwich. Doors open at 7:15am for breakfast. Discussion begins at 7:45am.
https://web.gnacc.org/atlas/events/12812/details

Connect with local business leaders, state legislators, and municipal chief elected officials for a panel discussion on the policy issues impacting our businesses and community—before legislators head into Executive Session.

Thank you to our Sponsor, ASCEND BANK. Elevate Your Financial Journey!! At Ascend Bank (formerly Guilford Savings Bank), we don’t just see accounts; we see ambitions.

Send a message to learn more

01/07/2026

139th District candidates discuss issues at Question and Answer night

Norwich Bulletin | Updated Jan. 6, 2026, 9:04 a.m. ET

Three candidates are running in a special election for the vacant 139th District seat in Connecticut.

~ The candidates discussed key issues including affordability, student mental health, and school safety.
~ All three candidates agreed that people should have the right to choose whether or not to be vaccinated.
~ The candidates also concurred that low teacher pay is a substantial issue facing educators.

The three candidates running for the vacant 139th District seat weighed in on a number of issues, including affordability, students’ mental health, vaccinations and education at the Candidate Q&A Jan. 5.

The district includes parts of Norwich, Montville and Ledyard. The seat is open following Kevin Ryan’s death in November.

Affordability is important to Larry Pemberton’s campaign. He believes everyone should have a place to live. To make life more affordable, he believes additional energy sources should be sought out, so people can save money on their electric bills.

To improve affordability, Brandon Sabbag said utility companies should get rid of their public benefits charges. If elected, Mark Adams said he would repeal unnecessary expenses for services that are underdelivered, so more money is left in his constituents' pockets.

Mental health concerns
Pemberton said he would work to find answers to the mental health crisis in the schools if he is elected. Sabbag believes students could improve their mental health by praying.

Adams said that parents should be educated on how to better their children’s mental health at home. He added that affordability plays a critical role in students’ mental health.

“What’s happening is that if there are two parents in the house, they’re required to work all the time,” Adams said. “So, the child is being neglected in a way... That’s where sometimes mental health issues develop in children at a young age.”

All three candidates had the same opinion on vaccinations. Each of them believed that people have the right to decide whether or not they get vaccinated or not.

Challenges in the schools
When asked what the biggest challenge students and teachers are facing, each candidate said teacher pay was a substantial issue.

“I believe that teachers are underpaid and they deal with a lot,” Adams said. “I think the biggest challenge that teachers face is the lack of respect that’s shown to them from the students and the parents of the students. I believe that the parents should be held as accountable as their child because it’s learned behavior.”

Pemberton said he would work diligently in Hartford if elected to improve safety in the 139th district’s schools. He said that additional school monitors could help to that end.

Who are the 78 employees who earned more than $100,000 at NFA?

Sabbag believes that having an armed guard at each school across the state would help bolster the safety in schools.

“I’m a firm believer in the Second Amendment and our right to bear arms,” Sabbag said. “I believe that we would benefit highly from having an armed security guard at every school in the state.”

In his answer regarding how safety could be improved in schools, Adams talked about how parental consent should be used when controversial subject matter is taught in school.

When is the election?
Election day will take place Jan 13. Early voting will take place from Jan. 8 to 11 as designated sites in each community. For a list of polling place locations and hours, see our related story.

Here's what happened at the 139th district's candidate Q&A night held at Ledyard Middle School on Jan. 5.

01/06/2026