♪ > > This week.

The Wheelhouse last a long me the heavy lifting is done.

But there's still more work to ♪ > > a Connecticut Frankie > > for Graziano.

This is the Wheelhouse.

The show that connects politics, the people we got your weekly dose of politics in Connecticut and beyond right here.

Connecticut lawmakers have a new budget deal.

The 28 billion dollar package includes new money for towns, child care and health care providers this hour, our state capitol experts will dissect the budget.

Other business done in Hartford.

This session and they'll take us into the future.

That's a lot of promise.

You.

Previewing the summer ramp up for votes as we approach a gubernatorial election in November.

Here to help us with what's gone down in local politics in 2026.

So far is Susan Raff WFSB news channel.

Three's Chief political Reporter.

Good Morning, Susan.

> > Good morning.

I'm looking forward to going into the future wherever that may be.

> > For you, it's going to be in the capital in a few short minutes.

But before we get there, we'll also bring bomb who Dahmer reporter from Wsh use senior reporter just had to show on this morning.

And now you're ready to talk to us here.

Hopefully nice to be with the nice to be with them.

Folks.

Are you satisfied with lawmakers efforts in 2026, anything you think they should do on the final day?

Hit us up to date 7 to 0, 9, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 7, to 0, 9, 6, 7, 7, We start with you, Susan.

The new budget essentially is this a redo of the second year?

The biennium budget like a budget adjustment or something?

That's exactly what it is.

Connecticut lawmakers already passed a two-year budget and this isn't a judge of an adjustment.

So in the second year.

> > They look and see like, you know, what kind of money the revenues.

And it's a big, big year for cities and towns in education.

Superintendents, mayors have had a very loud voice of the session because they've been very concerned about education costs and possibly raising property taxes.

So 270 million and that adjustment will go to cities and towns.

It's the first time they've had an actual increase in 13 years.

> > Flat funded any longer.

I would imagine that's now 200 education.

education funding is going up.

And where does that come from?

the money comes from the peak.

fun and what's the pequot fund?

> > It's hot machine pull.

So I not receive, know, so complicated because 100 million comes from this peak wide grant.

And the rest, I believe comes from surplus and budgeting.

But it's it's interesting because it has really nothing to do with the tribes or the casinos that has to do with the mechanism.

I'm told on how grants are put together.

Is that correct?

> > Now what I don't understand is the world.

Look at about 50 million about 50 57 million before and now it's going to go up to 100 million on how they got I'm still trying to figure > > Well, it might be one of out.

those things that we just don't know the answer, but I think cities and towns want the money regardless.

And I driving a white municipality's need more money they need a lot more in education really is very expensive.

Whether it's transportation, whether they want to hire more teachers, classroom sizes are very big right now.

So, you know, and the only mechanism cities and towns have to address education, rising costs are raising property taxes.

But here's what's interesting.

It doesn't necessarily mean that they're going to lower property taxes.

So, you know, people in many of these towns may be surprised by that.

It may mean that they're not going to raise them as much or they're not going to have to make this many cuts in education.

So it really depends on the dynamics of each city and town.

> > And this is the year that somebody or some folks are starting to see those property tax cuts came a couple of years ago.

They're starting to come to fruition on their Bills.

State Senator Marty Looney announced on Saturday that he wouldn't run for re-election.

He's been a state senator since I was 4 years old in 1993, on his way out.

He says his budget tackle some of the funding this budget challenges caused by cuts from the federal government.

season.

> > Well, I think, you know, Marty Looney has always been a very strong voice for a lot of social programs.

He's been a big voice in support for immigrants.

If you remember, he past driver's licenses for immigrants that made national news in his feeling was people are going to drive anyway this way.

You give them a license and they pay insurance because that's contingent upon you getting a > > And he's had a very strong license.

career.

But I think now probably is the time for him to pass the torch to Senator Bob Duff.

> > And before we get there to talk about some of those, the some of national programs in the cuts.

Just to talk about Looney a little bit there.

Did you see him as somebody that would across the aisle maybe with the Senator Len Fasano or something like > > In those days, yes, I that.

think there was more of an appetite to work together.

I don't see that so much in the current dynamic of the Legislature.

I think that there's a lot of respect for someone like Martin Looney who's been around for a certainly a long time but I think as he has slowed down, I think it's time a lot of people feel we should pass the torch.

But 46 years is a long time to serve the people of Connecticut and no one.

You know, if you talk to him, if there's information that is stored in his brain is really remarkable.

He can just like that.

Remember > > Why the h*** anybody would things so.

want to continue doing this kind of work when you are up until 1 o'clock.

What time this morning where Republicans, Democrats debating this, this gun lock mechanism, bill, I was a block bill that I was personally not there, but it is this Glock switch.

It is the only I mean, they already would have been around for > > Yeah, he might miss it.

I it.

think that, you know, any time, you know, the dynamics obviously, and I've said that word a lot this morning.

You know, the Democrats have the majority in.

They're probably going to get whatever they want pass.

And this just to give you an idea of what this gun bill is, it is Glock style pistol and there are the switches which are illegal.

But if you put them on the gun, it turns this pistol into a fully automatic weapons.

California has banned them.

Maybe one other state and Connecticut wants to do the same.

But the issue really with that is that.

> > We already have a bump stock ban here in Connecticut.

Right?

And this is future sales.

It's not.

It's not if you own one.

> > But even Democrats will say this technology changes.

That's right.

That's what I'm trying to say.

Is there a tag to it?

And so with the criminals really want to come up with ways to change the gun, they will.

So what are lawmakers do every year?

They're going to come back in.

So, you know, there's an argument for it, but it just, I believe, is longest debate they've had in the legislature and it is over guns.

Gas prices.

guys now over $4 and $0.50 a gallon, according to AAA > > Baga certainly relief and this budget budget package that we talked about, anything that can be legislated day if it hasn't been thus far to help out.

I don't think anything's going to legislated today, but what happened is initially of beginning of the session.

Governor Ned Lamont promised a tax rebate of $200 check to everyone in October.

Well, that fell by the wayside.

However, they were able to reduce the public benefits on utility bill starting this month and that I well, we'll see when that was going up.

Both come out exactly how much it going to be reduced.

But that was because of a deal they had with little Stone, which is paid off and they have some money that they can now use to reduce the public benefits.

So we'll that's about it as far as energy trying to reduce the cost of energy.

There was talk about getting rid of the gasoline tax that didn't go anywhere.

So that's pretty much it as far as a from the high energy costs.

> > Right to the money will sit isn't Townes was their way.

They talked about that rebate for a while and they were all talking about, you know, affordability and how much money do give back.

But I think the education funding for cities and towns was their way of doing that.

Plus, I believe part of affordability.

They're going to give cities and towns the ability to lower their property.

You know, their mill rate if they want to and they'll back family.

But that's only of cities and towns want to.

And it's for one year.

> > I think some of the some of the things that was hearing about that afterwards is that this is the kind of thing you might say when you're running for reelection.

The $200 check is > > Sure is that kind of just that?

I think you almost expect we almost expected that that there had to be something that there was going to be a a feel-good thing for people.

You have to do that.

Especially with the check goes out in The only work done this or to ease the tension on skyrocketing energy costs.

Is that really it > > baugur?

Is there anything or is there at least anything that was talked about as there were continue to talk about fossil?

Well, that you're looking get, you know, I'm so too.

> > Fazio, who's running for who's running for the?

Gop ticket to do to run for governor has been pushing this whole affordability thing he's been pushing we should actually use some of the money.

To to to cushion the effects and that didn't go anywhere.

The some of the surplus money he was talking about that that was a way to use some of the simplest money.

But that didn't do But the they talked a lot about > > go through the session it.

that they did pass a bill on solar, which was a bit controversial.

But Representative Jonathan Steinberg, who's actually leaving the General Assembly.

> > This creates incentives for not only homeowners, but also businesses to use solar and creates what they call a solar bank.

So you can store that power.

But the concern, obviously, people saying, well, if you create incentives, it means for the prices to go up.

But Jonathan Steinberg will say that over 20 years that goes down.

So I think they had to do something on energy and hopefully that will create more clean, sustainable.

As we always talk power generation issue here in Connecticut.

And then you're talking about some ways to address it.

> > We're finally producing power.

It sounds like out of Revolution when project that's one on again off again off again on Due to last now Sounds like it's now on.

But the work getting close to the summer at bog in a bit.

That means that more people are using the AC in their house.

And there is going to be a sticker shock, right?

So can that public back in the public benefits charge, a sort and and the cut there.

Can that overcome the sticker shock?

I guess CNET help people overcome it.

> > I doubt it.

However, it will bring down field bill a little bit.

considering how much I paid last summer, I lectured Bill because it was so so hot that's the exact condition is so much.

> > How much did you pay for your electric bill?

Tell us tell us I > > don't want > > I don't the it what it went up.

I've never paid that high for my electric bill.

> > I think it was a vote of 6 to $800 I think is it was about it was about 3 D $400 at a the highest.

I'm feeling pretty good right now because I might be one of the few people.

> > I don't have air conditioning.

> > Look at you.

How do you live to island in the colder?

> > may see it all year long and I'd like it to be at 66 of possible.

All right.

We got a good home schooling.

The state's acting child advocate Christina says that once the family ops to home school, a child in Connecticut, there's nothing really tethering that family to the state.

And that could be problematic.

According to advocates of the wake of several deaths, including one that spur the conversation this year, 11 year-old Jacqueline me Torres Garcia.

I'm sure something you've talked a lot about.

And we've seen reported on the station as well.

There have been several You know, they're horrible tragedies.

And I think lawmakers wanted to do something this year to address homeschooling.

They brought it up last year this is some would argue a little bit watered down.

But I I believe that they had to do something.

No.

The the majority of people who are homeschooling their children > > are doing it for the right reasons.

And there are no problems.

But for those kids who are falling through the cracks, it certainly gives people an opportunity to abuse them.

Connecticut's the only state in the country that has no laws, nothing when it comes to homeschooling.

So you can just take your child out of school.

Hope for the best.

So those cases really prompted lawmakers to do something.

And the legislation that came out and it was, you know, contentious there were long debates over it.

It if you does a background check, if you're on DCF have an open case.

You cannot homeschool.

Obviously if you're on the sex offender or child Abuse registry, you cannot homeschool and it does require an annual registration.

So that every year when you take your child out of school, you fill out a form.

I'm withdrawing my kid for home schooling.

There are no home visits that that's it.

But you register with the Connecticut Department of Ed writer is a DCF.

I think it's Connecticut departments, the department of Ed through through your school.

> > But Republicans argued and with good reason that it cannot solely fall on homeschooling parents that the Department of Children and Families.

> > And we just recently saw now they're on the hot seat for very tragic situation in Middletown.

man threw his baby off of a bridge, even though the mother had pleaded with DCF that they were in a bad situation.

So a lot of work has to be done with DCF.

And there is legislation this year that past which requires more training and they also found that 80% of visits from DCF are virtual.

And that was unacceptable to everybody.

You know.

And so they want to do something about it.

But it really is a multi-pronged approach.

You cannot just fall on homeschooling > > And I'm not I should note parents.

that the added money for DCF and the budget as well.

And thing about it is for home schoolers, the felt threatened and they came out in force to try.

And so there was some compromise that was done on this bill to get it through the fact you have to up basically want to report.

Every it's like every year you have to, you know, a footman to say that, you know, you are home schooled in your child and so that people don't fall through the cracks and the way they justify that was that every child in public or private school is registered at the beginning of the year.

And so they want to keep track of children that way.

> > We talked a lot about the session thus far, the big ticket items.

But what were some other points of debate this bond that you want to point to?

> > Up let's start with the ice restraint Bill.

> > I think yes, think the words right out of mind > > high because all that got quite a bit of debate.

And it got quite the test.

The in the House.

> > because of the number of amendments that the > > Republicans were introducing that kept the big going late into the night.

And that was probably the latest that the House met this year because the not Ritter, has tried to make sure that the try and get up early so that people don't end up.

You know, unfortunately, the couple of years ago we had a tragedy where a member the bite in an accident after a late night session, then.

So the tried to avoid that in the House.

But the little bit of controversy, the because of a post that one of the Democrats when it comes to that debate, the Republicans didn't the didn't care for.

But the what what happened as far as that Bill is concerned now, ICE agents and all federal agents will be subject to the same type regulations as as state and local police that have to identify themselves account.

Well, masks and of those a lot of debate about whether that would be a federal But basically I would be a clash with federal law and it's going to be a definitely it will be.

They'll be some type of litigation over this and the Republicans were saying that the state would not prevail.

I think part of the legislation also restricted where ice.

> > And law enforcement can go no places of worship.

Hospitals, churches.

> > It no doubt will face a legal challenge.

And the attorney General Tom made a note saying bring it on.

Connecticut will defend itself.

It's already being challenged in several states, including California because at least multiple times last year, the Federal Department of Justice of the federal government first and then it was the Department of Justice.

> > Had Connecticut as a state and some counties in there as well.

sanctuary designations as well.

So there is some some some have a lot of those supersedes state law in most cases.

So it will certainly face a challenge.

But is it worth fighting for some feel?

It is.

> > From Connecticut Public.

This is the Wheelhouse.

I'm Frankie Graziani.

You've been listening to channel 3, Susan Raff aws at you.

Senior reporter Eben And you hear from them again after the break.

We're going to go.

> > From the state capital to the campaign trail.

> > Where gets hot in a hurry with party's nominating candidates for governor in less than 2 weeks, there's more Wheelhouse right after these words.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ This is House from Connecticut Public Radio, on Frankie Graziano this hour.

Rounding up the latest in state politics on the final day of the 2026 legislative session with us are Susan Raff WFSB news channel.

Three's chief political reporter and Wsa 2 senior reporter and blogger Dama any quick thoughts about the session, folks.

Give us a call.

We're going to be saying goodbye dabbling in Susan after the segment to talk about initiatives to boost local journalism hit us up to date 7 to 0, 9, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 7, to 0, 9, 6, 7, 7, Last year.

Lawmakers created this endowment to eventually fund child care for every family in Connecticut.

But funding the program relies on surplus Bong talked about this earlier.

There was a different call to maybe use.

And this came from the GOP to use some of the surplus dollars for for energy costs and things like that.

Everybody's always talking about the surplus dollars Easter.

You get that idea.

So this program, a lot of the money for surplus has already been accounted for.

Does that mean that this program is in jeopardy nor the sort of political winds going?

Allie says, in fact, they're going to be 1000 new child care > > A very soon this has been slots.

a big priority for Governor Lamont, who felt that if you want to encourage people to work, they need to feel comfortable and what it might not have been earlier in the session.

It was an earlier, but there is therefore it the the goal.

Obviously they would like to have universal childcare, but Connecticut is a leader us that they want to provide good quality, affordable childcare for people.

A bunch of different childcare centers applied and that's going to become a reality here in Connecticut.

Yeah, they're trying to hard as we have that.

> > 300 Million.

I believe that was able the right.

The Putin this year, which is the pretty remarkable that they have been able to put the money into the endowment for 2 years.

Now > > it it is.

But reason why I brought that up is because their urgency wasn't always there this session to use that surplus.

That's why is And so You know, Beth was really such a a strong advocate for it.

But she did pave the way and left.

I, you know, something good in him.

Tremendous.

Tremendous work from that by were housing measures affected the session.

I know we're talking about a no-fault evictions Bill.

But not a lot of talk on housing.

It seems like this with an They did so much last year.

How much of a jury.

> > Although I would stay the night, I'd love to that.

I I I had go to bed early yesterday because of the who was your this morning.

But I soon a little bit about house and from House basically people opposed to the house.

And, you know, here in Fairfield County, we have.

People who are very, very against any type of of new legislation is don't say as long as that is inhumane.

I live in house.

So you know, it would hold it until last and they didn't want to get to the Senate who want to get Senate to do their work.

> > Asking people to call their representatives to make sure the Senate doesn't take it up today.

So we'll see how that goes.

as as far as house and he's going to send the heavy lifting was done last year.

And the person behind it was the majority leader Jason Rowe has who pretty much decided not to push too much.

This this time around and he let it just go.

Is there anything you guys saw that kind might have been in trouble or jeopardy?

> > Or might be something that's not necessarily propped up during an election year.

We have elections statewide elections this year.

And then of course, we have federal elections as well to some of them.

But anything that sort of fell by the wayside because it might not be popular for somebody running for a Well, I know something.

The came up yesterday, the House > > decided not to deal with parole and and there was a lot of pushback on that from from from the Republicans.

And Democrats.

There were some camera looking as well because that's not a very popular thing to from home and the and women action.

Duke in the House speaker didn't think he had enough votes.

He said it yesterday and basically what it would do is probably > > early early release.

So if you were say 2021 or 22, when you were convicted of murder, they wanted to raise it to 26.

So that means that on the back end of year sentence, you would get out early because their view was, you know, you are a lot different.

A 22 than you are at.

52.

But here's something the minority leader of any Candelora said.

So in in the thought that you're not really mature enough in your brain isn't developed until you're 26, but you can smoke pot and we will sell it to you before then.

So he made an argument that way.

And I had to stop and think about that for a while.

But anyway, I don't think people wanted people to get out of prison early.

I if you're 25 years old and you've killed somebody, you should probably serve your sentence.

> > 8, 8, 8, 7, to 0, 9, 6, 7, 7, If you want to talk to us 8, 8, 7, to 0, 9, 6, 7, 7, Once the session is over.

Lawmakers are going on the campaign trail.

You got a gubernatorial election in November elections for statewide office and U.S.

representatives from Connecticut are back up and have to bid for reelection this year.

> > What are you looking forward Van?

The Republican primary is going to be quite interesting.

The convention itself will be interesting because we've have yet to the situation where the 3 candidates, Liz Evan Stewart, who was the former mayor of the book in.

> > And see he has had some problems that right.

In fact, has been really taking advantage of right now because the question about her trying to get a pension.

> > and the tax collector's office.

> > Of the woman who was attacked collect 2 of them was fired.

The yeah.

there's a lot going on there and she's got in it from Ryan Fazio as well as from the Democrats.

it's going to be interesting to see how that will play out in the convention of the 3rd kind of the best of the going.

I don't know where she is.

I haven't good much from where.

And I don't know how how that's going to work out in the convention.

But the we'll what I'm gonna.

If I ask you the same question.

I think you would give me a similar answer.

You're excited.

I would imagine for tension coming up.

> > Susan, I am.

I think we should bring a lot > > of pop.

> > According > > Yeah, I do.

Our our friend Joe Zone likes movie theater, quality He doesn't like how you when you go to the store, they say that they have movie theater.

Popcorn are going to have movie theater quality time.

is the convention.

It's going to be interesting.

And I think that there's a lot going on in a bond, you know, really kind of highlighted that you know, there's an independent investigation into Erin Stewart administration when she was mayor and how there was alleged favoritism on who got tax breaks and who didn't.

And who got to delay their interest on their payments.

There's also a state police investigation as well.

So those 2 investigations are ongoing will not be completed until who knows?

Certainly not by the time of the convention.

So that's hanging over her head at this time.

I think she'll certainly get enough votes to force a primary.

I'm not sure now whether she will be the endorsed candidate at the convention.

Certainly it sounds like some tough times for Erin Stewart follow Susan for more information on that.

> > there's that the race.

But then there's also go ahead.

Yeah, I was going to say on the Democratic side.

A Lamont has challenger.

He does have a challenger so it's it's and some people were saying I might bring violent, have some on that slide.

Sure.

I want to know who his phone list is.

I don't know about you, but everyone I know in the state of Connecticut has gotten tax from Josh Elliott.

Right?

And that was really an impressive > > Kelly, > > it?

Yeah.

Yeah.

I'm getting a lot of them as well.

But I you know why?

Because we're in the mid news media.

I'm glad there's a challenge.

I think we can all agree with that, right?

I mean, when there's more it's it's better.

You know, his chances may not be all that great, but let's face it.

He's 40 years old.

He has plenty of time and he's gotten his name out there and some of the issues that he feels importantly.

So I don't think it's the last time we're going to hear from Josh Elliott and it can certainly pull back the governor to talk about more progressive issues, something like childcare, something like that is correct is kind of what we were.

What I was getting to earlier.

But > > just quickly, before we end here, us That's probably something we should talk about before we finish up here.

That's something to look forward to the summer.

Luke Bronin and Jillian Gilchrist Andrew Fortune who was the Hartford Attorney are challenging John Larson.

Anything new to report there, guys?

> > Well, a blossom is.

This is the fight of > > his life and in first when Amber, the is trying to bring in all the big guns to help them out.

But I don't know.

It's that he's got real stiff challenge this time.

And that is the feeling in the Democratic Party right now that it's time for the change of guard.

And so we'll see.

We'll see flu.

He'll he'll make it.

But grown and has raised a lot of money.

I think he'll definitely do well enough to force a primary.

Bronin has been out there.

> > He does have some name recognition.

Julian Gill crest, maybe not as much.

But again, you know, there's you know, the next election cycle and it's not that far away.

But it is true.

I think for the first time in a long time, Larson has had to get out there and actually campaign, but he's still hard to beat even though people would like to see new younger, fresh ideas.

> > Hey, where would we be?

Where would I be without these 2?

So grateful for you, Susan Raff chief political reporter at Channel 3 bongo Dama Wsa 2 senior reporter.

Thank you guys so much for coming on.

Well, thank you so much.

Frankie.

> > My son's the field so yeah, you buying the popcorn.

my God.

They got the last day of the session and the conventions coming up.

It's going to be a good summer for these guys.

After the break.

Do you know what today is?

Yes, its hump day, but it's also something important for people like me.

After the break, we discussed local journalism Appreciation Day.

Yeah, that's a real thing that lawmakers made a thing.

You're listening to the Wheelhouse, Connecticut Public.

♪ ♪ This is the Wheelhouse from Connecticut Public Radio.

I'm Frankie Graziano.

> > Today is the last day of the 2026 legislative session.

It means it's an important day for local news.

> > But Wednesday, also local journalism Appreciation Day.

It's a time to recognize the work of reporters and reflect on why local news matters today.

And always amid national cutbacks.

Joining us now to talk more about the local news are the publisher and CEO of the Connecticut Mayor Bruce apartment.

Hi, Bruce High.

Frankie, nice to be with you.

And Harriet Jones.

She's a journalist and audio teller and she used to edit Frankie Graziano is copy as managing editor of Connecticut Public.

I Harry a > > I how are you from Kate?

> > Good to see a familiar face and look at you matching the how about that.

> > There you go.

That's what that's what friends are for.

Hey.

I want to start with the big news for some big news happening around this building and everybody's talking about it.

The Connecticut Mirror just won a Pulitzer Prize for local reporting.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

We did.

And it's it's thrilling.

It's stunning.

And it's not stunning.

All at the same time.

This is from the hook and I on the towing industry, as I understand it, yes, the towing industry that for 100 years was engaged in unsavory predatory practices.

> > Particularly directed at low-income residents of Connecticut and it kind of flew under the radar for a long time through a series of tips we were able to.

To a year's worth of reporting that led to major legislative change both in 2025. and then again, just earlier this week.

You know, we're all going to rub up against Bruce and try to rub up against him right now and the rest of the crew here to try to.

> > Really share in that success that you guys are having or feel it because it's really exciting stuff.

And it's like you don't win a Pulitzer every day.

So congratulations.

Thank you all.

Once a mesa, words of your own research.

> > So we did.

We did.

We got a lot of S p j's.

We got a lot of other awards.

But man, that's a that's a great award.

The guy's got to want to make sure you get your do on that.

> > So as we mentioned, in addition today, being the last day of the session, it's also local journalism day in Connecticut.

When did local journalism day become a thing in the state legislature?

And what role did you play in it for us?

Well became a thing a year ago.

Representative Kate, for our approach me at their gubernatorial, a number of in 2023 early 2023. and said what can the legislature do for local journalism?

And we talked about a number of different ideas.

And since then, she has filed a number of bills to try to generate some small level of public.

> > Government funding for local journalism.

None of them have gun gotten over the finish line.

Some of advanced through one house, but not the other.

So last year we kind of decided, you know, we know that elected officials support the concept of local journalism.

Let's just get them to say yes, about something related to local journalism.

And so it's easy to say yes, about a local journalism Appreciation Day.

And so that's how that came into being first Wednesday in May.

And that's in a That's today.

Connecticut mayor put together a video commemorating local journalism Appreciation Day.

> > Featured in the video.

Are lawmakers talking about the importance of local journalism from in side, the state Capitol building in Hartford.

Here.

Our lawmakers, Kate, for our as you had mentioned earlier and Stephen Hardin and what journalism means to them.

> > The why local journalism matters so much is that it really is the heartbeat of us.

Now we know what's happening in our community and also it's essential to making sure that we know how to get involved in our community.

> > A look back at my time as a child growing up repealed and all the local publications that was that in the president's poor ones.

It also helped residents feel great as a rookie to use a lot of getting caught.

The good to have your pick for the future.

Those are the things that use as we visit with her.

There's not much to the proposal, as you mentioned in terms of you just wanted them to get to say yes about something, right.

So why did it get pushed through?

> > Well, I think it's it's a relatively easy thing to say.

Yes, to.

And I think people also believed in the importance of local journalism is those 2 clips show legislators.

do appreciate local journalism and we can talk a little bit about what the point is that you want.

I should said it this way.

But the point is that you're hoping that in the future they'll pass more bills really well.

So we're ultimately we hope they passed more bills.

And frankly, we want to remind your audience and other audience is that local journalism really does matter.

We're living you know, kind of in the midst of a major contraction of journalism over automatically local journalism and particularly journalism that addresses public policy.

And so local journalism Appreciation Day is an attempt to raise people's consciousness of the importance of local journalism because, you know, as you know, Frank, you as local journalism declines, corruption goes up.

Polarization goes misinformation goes up.

Government waste because of lack coverage of government goes up and his journalism declines.

Voter participation rates go down and stronger sustains voter participation.

Civic engagement goes down, understanding of candidates and issues goes down.

So that's part of what we want to reinforce for folks to better understand and appreciate local journalism area.

I want to get your take now.

White has local news matters and what you think about Bruce's efforts here to try to get local journalism appreciate to be a thing here in Connecticut.

> > I think it's one that's a wonderful first step to, you know, have legislature say yes, local journalism masters.

That's great.

What we're hoping for is, Bruce, is that thing is that they actually start to put some some dollars behind in the future.

We have a few other bills that we had hoped that they would push through.

There's an organization called rebuild local news that's doing this work around the country and they have some initiatives which we're hoping that casket will start to take part one.

It is for employment.

Tax credits for for organizations that employ need new reporters.

Government advertising spend with local media so that if governments advertising some of that money stays in the state tax breaks for small businesses to advertise with local media and also journalism fellowships.

That was one that we really had hoped would get through this the session.

And that would have created 12 fellowships for early-career during reporters who are just coming in of their journalism education.

Get them into local newsrooms, support them with public dollars and get them out there reporting in our communities.

We're very hopeful that some of these measures may come back and in subsequent sessions.

> > Before we talk about that and the future here and some of the bills that you could push next year.

Tell us about the Connecticut student journalism collaborate collaborative.

I apologize.

Connecticut student Journalism Collaborative.

What is this area and what work to do there?

> > Sure.

And it is a mouthful.

Absolutely.

So a couple of years ago, the French you and I both are at Jones at UConn.

We've been involved in Girona journalism education for a while.

A couple of years ago.

Several faculty from different journalism education programs and public universities all around the state were brought together around the table.

It's really brought together around the table in the offices of the CT Mayor Weaver, Challenge by a group called the Center for Community News.

The rest of the University, Vermont.

We were challenged to think what could it look like if we were going to build a strong, diverse workforce pipeline for journalism in Connecticut.

And so we've been working on that project for the last couple of years.

And it's, you know, we've seen some really good success.

So what we do is essentially trying to get students published professionally before they finish their degree.

So that wind's once they get on to the onto the job market wants are looking for those internships and fellowships in first jobs.

They have that, you know, strong resume with clips as we call him in the journalism industry to have those by lines that they've been able to publish professionally.

So we brought together.

We have a central website.

It's CT Community News.

Do substantial com.

We bring together all the best work student journalists from around the state published on our website.

And beyond that, we also offer it up to all the different professional outlets in Connecticut.

So CT public is a tremendous supporters publish many of our students pieces Ws a shoe CT Mirror's also published a couple of pieces.

Ct News J***** is a huge supporter CT Examiner.

The Hartford current CT Latino News.

All of these professional outlets have Republic store students work and that allows our students both to kind of work to do professional standards.

And it's more than just getting class great is actually getting professional byline.

And also, you know, allows them then to take up forward into their careers.

And it gives the editors in these new terms and visibility into the journals and education who are the strong students coming up that they should be looking at when they have, you know, internships and jobs coming up.

So it is getting a building that connective tissue between we have great journalism education.

We have great news rooms.

Let's build the kind of connective tissue between the 2.

> > Connecticut Public is a partner in the Connecticut student Journalism Collaborative.

You may see the students stories > > actually published at CD Public Dot Org.

Hey, what schools participating be some more details here and what kind of stories to the right or they're like beets, what we got.

> > Sure.

So we we really are open to any any program wants to participate with us, but or course schools are Yukon.

Southern Central CT States community college.

We have their Manchester campus in their Texas campus.

Both collaborate with us sacred heart.

Quinnipiac, we're just about to start publishing students from the University of Hartford.

So we've really tried to cast a wide net and we don't necessarily have beats we allow students to offer up any work that they think rises to be, you know, professionally published.

But we do have some projects that we've implemented.

So we had in a great ground from the solutions journalism network.

The second time of year where we've been doing a deep dive on campus.

Mental health.

I'm looking at that thrust solutions lends.

You know what the solutions that are being put forward on campuses to the mental health crisis.

We do not as a project.

We just out.

So we just entrance for NBC can S to get if we're going to be helping them to cover the midterm elections for young voters perspective.

We've launched a podcast in collaboration, CT Examiner.

We're doing vertical video now on our students were also we were mentioning awards and you know, many congratulations to Bruce and the team on the Pulitzer for students to coming up behind them.

We just want awards in 6 different categories in the ccspca professional contest that was just announced, including a first-place win in the day.

Sarah portion can't agree.

> > You testified in front of lawmakers this session about the fellowships bill.

As I understand it, why did you do this?

Will I really believe it?

You know, I think that what we're doing for students who are in there, maybe junior or senior year is very important.

But the fellowships bill would have taken that next step.

So where did the students go?

Once they're, you know, they've graduated and there aren't enough.

Frankly, there aren't enough opportunities and the state were trying to generate more.

You know, there are lots of news rooms who would love employee new journalists coming freshly at school that maybe don't have the resources.

So that fellowship position.

He's super super important.

So I feel very strongly about it.

It's I will tell you is that, you know, life and journeys that slightly uncomfortable to go and advocate to the Capitol because obviously, you know, we're used to just covering the advocates, uncovering the legislature's.

So it was slightly.

We are to go and testify.

But I did feel is very important.

And I do think it speaks to this new moment for journalism in that we have to start collaborating.

We have some advocating for ourselves because we can't see a local journalism continue to > > I'm interested to get your crumble.

take on that, too, because you've had to testify as well.

Well, it s tough.

Yeah.

I've testified on all of the bills that we filed over the last 4 years.

I'm the fellowships bill in particular.

you know, yes to everything Harry Jus.

And I'll just note that I am asked by people all of the time our young people going into journalism.

You know, we hire 12 interns the year at the Connecticut Mirror for the spring semester for the summer semester for in the fall semester.

We have to turn people away.

People are interested in learning.

The skills that journalism.

Require.

So writing skills, research skills and whether people in journalism or not with those skills, they can be applied in lots of other and lots of other fields.

So very supportive of the fellowship bill.

It seems like a relatively inexpensive way to also generate some pipeline of talented young journalists.

The idea was a modest $10,000 for her fellow for 12 of those 12. right.

And you know, in other states, California has funded 40 fellows, Washington state support 16 full-time fellows that, you know, that cause a lot more than 10,000 per fellow New Mexico friends, 9 fellows and 11 intern.

So there is precedent in other states for supporting this kind of fellowship idea, guys, the fellowship bill didn't pass or hasn't made it at least yet.

So it passed out of the higher Ed Committee it didn't make it into the budget this year.

you talked about ad dollars and the tax credit as well.

Both of those didn't make it either right.

> > Correct.

When there was an ad reallocation like your heart out, Bill that we filed in 20.

> > 3, 24 25.

Passed the House in the first 2 years.

Didn't get called by the Senate.

It didn't pass either chamber.

Last year we decided not to.

We filed that this year.

There was different bill that frankly, from our perspective, wasn't wasn't an optimal bill.

And that was to give small businesses Tax credits for They would spend in local juror on local news that's great for small businesses.

And, you know, we are a small business.

I applaud supporting small businesses, but that bill, in particular wasn't really going to make an appreciable difference for some of the smaller we we only have about 30 seconds.

I want to make sure I get this is stuff that you guys are going to push next session.

You're gonna hope that they go beyond just doing local journalism Appreciation Day.

> > Correct.

Will probably push all of those bills again except for this small business advertising tax credit Bill.

Harriet, quick word from you in the last 20 seconds.

Why is it important for lawmakers to get behind these local journalism bills?

> > Because without local journalism, no one knows what they're doing, right?

Nobody can really participate fully in their democracy without information.

The information is is really key for both legislators and we needs to support it.

> > Thank you so much area for coming on the show.

I appreciate you.

We appreciate you tooth and Frankie.

Thank you, Jenna.

Listen, director of the Connecticut Student Journalism Collaborative and Bruce Spider-Man, Pulitzer Prize winning Spider-Man of the Connecticut mayor.

Well, leader of team that was both surprising.

But thank you.

Congratulations today show produced by Chloe.

When thank you, Patrick Scahill for your help and test terrible and Dylan race and the rest of the crew.

This is the Wheelhouse.

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