John Gail Borden
Latest News
Local lawmakers target early voting changes, tax relief plans
Patrick L. Sullivan
Mar 04, 2026
State Sen. Stephen Harding (R-30) and State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) attend the annual breakfast of the League of Women Voters held in Goshen Saturday, Feb. 28.
Ruth Epstein
As the 2026 legislative session moves forward, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) and State Sen. Stephen Harding (R-30) are advancing distinct priorities they say will shape the direction of the state.
The regular session, which convened in Hartford on Feb. 4 and is set to adjourn May 6, comes amid uncertainty over federal funding, debate over housing policy and continued scrutiny of state spending.
Horn said one of her top priorities this session is to maintain “fiscal and program stability” in Connecticut in the face of rapidly changing federal policies.
“We are in a position to mitigate the chaos,” she said in a phone interview Friday, Feb. 27.
Horn is the chair of the legislature’s Finance Committee.
One item she is keeping an eye on is elections. Horn said that small-town first selectmen and registrars have complained that the 14 days of early voting requires too much effort and money for what amounts to a handful of voters taking advantage of the policy.
There is also a move in Connecticut to create “no-excuse” absentee voting, which would allow any registered voter to request a mail-in ballot without providing a specific reason — aligning the state with most others and potentially achieving the same access as extended early voting at a fraction of the cost.
Horn is also working on changes to Connecticut’s “bottle bill,” which raised the deposit on bottles and cans from five cents to 10 cents in 2024. However, because neighboring states such as New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island did not follow through on similar increases, some people have been bringing containers purchased out of state into Connecticut to redeem them at the higher rate. That practice has prompted lawmakers to pursue stricter enforcement and penalties to curb cross-border fraud, which has left beverage distributors absorbing the costs.
Horn said the state needs more redemption centers and better enforcement and accountability.
In a phone interview Feb. 27, Harding, who is the state Senate Minority Leader, said his top priority is to take advantage of a General Fund balance of some $4 billion to provide tax relief for residents.
Tax relief could come in the form of eliminating the car tax and reducing state income taxes for some taxpayers.
Harding said he and fellow members of his caucus are pushing back against what they describe as “statewide zoning” proposals. He argued that efforts to expand affordable housing — including measures that allow developers in certain cases to override local zoning — pose a threat to the open space that residents of the Northwest Corner value.
“Open spaces get eaten up by developers under the current rules,” he said.
While acknowledging the state faces an affordable housing shortage, Harding said solutions should not come at the expense of local control.
“I understand there’s a problem with affordable housing in the state, but we shouldn’t bypass local zoning,” he said, adding that housing policy is best addressed at the local rather than state level.
Harding said there is a problem with easements granted by the state Department of Agriculture in the past. The easements were written years — and sometimes decades — ago, and developers have learned how to exploit ambiguities in the legal language.
“Some of these easements are 30 or 40 years old, and they are not worded properly.”
Keep ReadingShow less
Lawmakers reject federal election interference, discuss tax cuts
Ruth Epstein
Mar 04, 2026
Connecticut lawmakers attend the League of Women Voters’ annual breakfast in Goshen on Saturday, Feb. 28. From left: Sen. Paul Honig, Rep. Karen Redington Hughes, Sen. Stephen Harding, Rep. Maria Horn, Rep. John Piscopo and Rep. Jay Case.
Ruth Epstein
GOSHEN — Local state lawmakers delivered a unified message at Saturday’s League of Women Voters breakfast: keep the federal government out of Connecticut elections.
The six representatives in attendance were Sen. Paul Honig (D-8); Rep. Karen Redington Hughes (R-66); Sen. Stephen Harding (R-30); Rep. Maria Horn (D-64); Rep. John Piscopo (R-76); and Rep. Jay Case (R-63).
The league holds the forum annually to provide constituents with an opportunity to hear from lawmakers about current issues and to raise questions and concerns.
The discussion opened with a question from Sharon resident Jill Drew, who asked whether there was any possibility November’s election in Connecticut could be canceled and what steps were being taken to ensure it would proceed as scheduled later this year.
The question was prompted, in part, by recent concerns among state officials about possible federal interference in election administration, including efforts to safeguard voter data.
Honig said he sees no emergency and called the notion of canceling an election “insane.” While acknowledging isolated issues such as the absentee ballot incident in Bridgeport, he said Connecticut’s system works well and lawmakers are pursuing legislation to streamline it.
“President Trump saying our elections are corrupt is nonsense,” Honig said. “It’s more that he doesn’t like Connecticut because he didn’t win here.”
Meanwhile, Redington Hughes said she is confident the elections will go ahead as planned, “but we need to respect the process.”
Harding said having the federal government oversee the Connecticut voting process would make no sense. “I’m 100% against canceling the election. No elected official should support that.”
Horn said she worries about federal intimidation when it comes to voting. She favors the implementation of early voting, but realizes the 14-day early voting system can be costly and difficult to administer in a lot of ways.
“I would oppose Washington interfering with elections and any Hartford influence,” said Piscopo. “We’re good at running our own elections.”
He would like to see early voting reduced to four days, pointing out it cost Thomaston $1,600 per vote in the last election. “There’s no need for same-day registration. That should be phased out,” he added.
Case agreed with his colleagues that there should be no fear about what will be seen in the November election.
When asked whether the U.S. Department of Justice should sue states for access to voter rolls, all six lawmakers responded no.
One attendee defended early voting, arguing it should be viewed as an investment in democracy rather than an expense, particularly in light of low voter turnout.
The conversation later shifted to taxes and social services.
Harding said he fully supports eliminating state taxes on Social Security and pension income. “The state can take its hand off these taxes.”
Horn noted that individuals earning $75,000 or less and couples earning $100,000 or less already pay no state tax on those benefits. However, she said taxpayers exceeding those thresholds “fall off the cliff,” an issue lawmakers are discussing.
A man who operates several group homes said low reimbursement rates have made it difficult to retain staff, leading to chronic shortages and increasing financial strain.
Case responded that supporting the state’s most vulnerable residents — including those in nursing homes, group homes and experiencing homelessness — is a top priority for him.
Honig raised concerns about private equity firms acquiring care facilities primarily for profit. “That can cause serious problems and something needs to be done,” he said.
Concerns about Medicaid, SNAP and other federal programs also surfaced.
Case noted those programs are federally funded, but Drew responded that federal cuts inevitably shift financial pressure onto states. Case said Connecticut is examining what options it may have.
Piscopo said he supports certain federal spending cuts.
“Some cuts by the federal government I agree with,” Piscopo said. “If someone is able-bodied, they should go to work.”
Horn countered that approximately 80% of Connecticut Medicaid recipients are employed but often struggle with added bureaucratic requirements. “The cuts are hurting education, finances, housing and family planning,” she said.
Honig added, “People are struggling to make ends meet. Federal cuts on top of that make it harder.”
Education funding drew attention as well.
Flora Lazar, a member of the Region One Board of Education, said school districts are seeing health insurance costs ballooning. “Ultimately, that will result in cutting out programs for kids.”
Honig noted that Educational Cost Sharing funds have not increased in 12 years, shifting the burden to local taxpayers.
Piscopo said he supports increasing ECS funding for municipalities.
Horn also stated that Connecticut sends more money to the federal government than it receives in return. “We are net losers. We give more than we get back.”
Childcare affordability emerged as another major concern.
A young mother said she and her husband are struggling with daycare costs. Horn said a childcare trust fund is set to begin in July 2027, which would make care free for families earning $100,000 or less, or capped at 7% for those earning more.
Immigration enforcement and housing instability rounded out the discussion.
An audience member asked the legislators to be sure the Department of Homeland Security doesn’t put large detention centers in the state. Honig said there is a bill proposed to prevent such a move.
A man who runs a shelter program at Trinity Church in Torrington said funding shortfalls will force 13 women — several elderly or disabled — out of housing in April, putting them at risk of returning to homelessness. “Give me a break,” he said. “We need to help these people once they get into houses or they’ll be back out on the street.”
Keep ReadingShow less
Kent’s towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy
Ruth Epstein
Mar 04, 2026
Jeff Kennedy visits the 20-foot-high snowman located in the Golden Falcon lot in Kent that was created in honor of his late brother Robbie Kennedy.
Ruth Epstein
KENT — Snowman Robbie stands prominently in the center of town, just as its namesake — longtime Kent resident Robbie Kennedy — did for so many years.
The 20-foot-high frozen sculpture pays tribute to Kennedy, who died Feb. 9, at the age of 71. A beloved member of the community, he was a familiar sight riding his bicycle along town roads waving to all he passed.
Many people knew him from his days working at Davis IGA, the local supermarket. He was embraced by the Kent Fire Department, where he was named an active emergency member and whose members chipped in to buy him a new bike, and by the Kent School football team where coach Ben Martin made him his assistant. At Templeton Farms senior apartments, he was the helpful tenant, always eager to assist his neighbors.
Last week, Gary Kidd, Dan Greenbaum and Loghan Bennett decided to build a snowman on the Golden Falcon lot to honor Kennedy. The site was chosen because it is right across the street where his brother Jeff and family live and from where they operate their business, Foreign Cargo. Leaning against the creation is Kennedy’s bicycle. The snowman is holding flags that wave in the wind.
“Robbie was a cheerleader for the town, and we thought the flags were a way to show that,” Kidd said, who acknowledged that the trio didn’t start to make it that big, but it just grew.
“It’s dedicated to Robbie in the spirit of childlike enthusiasm at any age,” Greenbaum said on Facebook.
The creature, with its large eyes, plaid scarf and top hat, has become a great attraction in town. It was featured on a WFSB-TV segment, throngs of people have stopped to snap photos, and Kidd has talked to Kent Center School classes who have come out for field trips.
Among those who like to visit is Jeff Kennedy. “The outpouring for Robbie from townspeople has been amazing,” he said. “At one time there was talk of maybe having him move closer to other family members, but I said Robbie has to stay here. He belonged in Kent.”
Keep ReadingShow less
Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.
Snow days disrupt FFA Week, community service continues
Kellie Eisermann
Mar 04, 2026
Hannah Johnson and Riley Mahaffey, vice president and president of the Housatonic Valley FFA, serve eggs and sausage during the FFA Breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 26.
Patrick L. Sullivan
FALLS VILLAGE — At the end of every February, the Housatonic Valley FFA celebrates National FFA Week alongside chapters across the country. The week highlights the importance of agricultural education and the impact it has on students and their communities.
Although a full slate of activities was planned at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, winter weather disrupted the schedule. School was closed Monday through Wednesday, Feb. 23 to 25.
Activities resumed later in the week. On Thursday and Friday, Feb. 26 and 27, students participated in a scavenger hunt, searching for ducks hidden throughout the building in a friendly competition among grade levels.
The annual FFA staff breakfast took place Feb. 26, with advisors and student officers preparing and serving breakfast as a gesture of appreciation. Milkshakes were also served during lunch.
That afternoon, students traveled to Northwestern Regional High School to take part in the District One Community Service Event. FFA members from Housatonic, Northwestern and Woodbury collaborated to assemble hygiene kits for donation.
In addition to the service project, students showcased their talents during a district talent show. FFA Week recognizes students’ hard work and celebrates the opportunities and leadership experiences the organization provides beyond the classroom.
Promoting public speaking
FALLS VILLAGE — The Housatonic Valley FFA held its annual Prepared Public Speaking Event on Feb. 27, challenging students to research a current agriculture-related issue, write an original speech and deliver a six- to eight-minute presentation.
The event gives students an opportunity to build confidence, strengthen communication skills and sharpen critical thinking abilities. Participants selected topics they felt passionate about, researched complex issues and learned to explain them clearly. After delivering their speeches, students also fielded questions from judges, requiring quick thinking and a deeper understanding of their subject matter.
Eleven students participated in this year’s contest. Hayden Bell placed first with “Pesticides: Use, Misuse & Abuse.” Christopher Crane earned second place with “United States Land Ownership,” and Madison Melino took third place with a speech on the plastic “crisis.”
Bell and Crane will advance to the district competition at the end of March.
Other participants included Beatrice Gifford, Nicholas Gonzalez, Owen Schnepf, Caitlin Devino, Alisa Christiansen-Madsen, Avery Hutton, Logan Padelli and Alex Wilbur.
Keep ReadingShow less
New Milford co-op hockey team ties with Shepaug 4-4
Lans Christensen
Mar 04, 2026
Jonathan DeRoberts attacks.
Lans Christensen
WASHINGTON — Hockey teams from New Milford High School and Shepaug Valley High School met at The Frederick Gunn School’s rink Wednesday, Feb. 25.
The two sides proved to be evenly matched and ended the game in a 4-4 draw.
Both teams are co-op programs, including players from multiple schools. This occurs when a school lacks enough players to form its own team, so interested athletes team up with other school players for the love of the game.
New Milford’s hockey team contains two Housatonic Valley Regional High School players: Logan Miller and Melanie Rundall.
The game with the Shepaug started fast. New Milford’s Jonathan DeRoberts scored after only 30 seconds, which was followed minutes later by a goal from Joshua Shook.
Melanie Rundall pre-game. Lans Christensen
The 2-0 lead didn’t last long as Shepaug’s Jameson McTamney and captain Gunnar Ough scored.
The goal of the day came in the second period when Ough took the puck the length of the ice and scored a high-powered slap shot.
Back and forth, both teams played very hard and traded goals. The third period ended with a 4-4 tie.
An eight-minute sudden death overtime period was added, but neither side was able to find the back of the net.
The game ended officiallywith a score of 4-4.
The result moved New Milford’s season record to 4-12-3 and Shepaug stood at 10-7-2.
Keep ReadingShow less
Housy girls reach BL semifinals
Riley Klein
Mar 04, 2026
Hayden Bachman runs a fast break in the Berkshire League quarterfinal against Northwestern Feb. 24.
Riley Klein
FALLS VILLAGE — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s girls varsity basketball team advanced to the Berkshire League semifinal game for the third year in a row.
Finishing the regular season ranked 4th in the league, the girls hosted Northwestern Regional High School in the quarterfinal round Tuesday, Feb. 24. HVRHS won 46-36.
Despite the absence of senior captain Victoria Brooks, who broke her wrist in the previous game, HVRHS led from start to finish and held off a late run by Northwestern.
In the quarterfinal, HVRHS was led in scoring by Olivia Brooks with 14 points. Maddy Johnson scored 11, Aubrey Funk scored 8, Hayden Bachman scored 7 and Carmela Egan scored 6.
HVRHS advanced to play top-ranked Thomaston in the semifinals Friday, Feb. 27. The Mountaineers took an early lead and put pressure on the Bears. Thomaston was able to overcome the deficit through lockdown defense and ultimately won 59-27.
After the game, HVRHS coach Jake Plitt commented on the effort his team displayed all season long. “We are markedly improved now compared to where we were at the beginning of the season because the kids show up every day, they’re very coachable. It’s been a real pleasure to coach them.”
In the semis, Olivia Brooks led HVRHS in scoring with 7 points. Grace Graney scored 6, Maddy Johnson scored 6, Olivia Simonds scored 4 and Carmela Egan scored 4.
Brooks made the All-Berkshire League 1st team.
Thomaston advanced to play Lakeview High School in the tournament title game Monday, March 2. Thomaston won 36-31 to become league champions.
Keep ReadingShow less
Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.
loading
