News Briefs for Week Ending February 7, 2026
By NB Politicus
State Rep. Sanchez Joins Legislature for 2026 Session
State Rep. Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-25) was one of two new members of the House of Representatives to take their seats for the first time at the Connecticut General Assembly’s 2026 session on opening day, February 4th. Governor Ned Lamont introduced his revisions to the 2026-2027 biennial state budget for the short session that ends in early May.
Rep. Sanchez won the January 6 special election in New Britain succeeding Mayor Bobby Sanchez (no relation) who became the city’s 41st Mayor last November. House leaders appointed Sanchez to the Commerce, Veterans & Military Affairs and Finance, Revenue & Bonding committees. Sanchez represented Ward 3 on the Common Council and served as Assistant Majority Leader prior to her election to the House.
The New Britain legislative delegation includes State Senator Rick Lopes (D-6), State Reps. Manny Sanchez (D-24), David DeFronzo (D-25 and Gary Turco (D-27). Her State House web page is https://www.housedems.ct.gov/sanchezi/sworn-ready-serve. Email: Iris.Sanchez@cga.ct.gov
State Grant Paves Way for Start of Mount Pleasant Public Housing Rebuild
A $7.5 million Community Investment Fund (CIF) grant means progress for the first phase of replacing the 85-year-old Mount Pleasant public housing complex.
Mayor Bobby Sanchez, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and New Britain Housing Authority officials announced on February 7th that receipt of the state funds will pave the way for groundbreaking later this year. Mayor Sanchez said the CIF support “will replace 64 public housing units with safe, modern homes, without displacement. This investment reflects years of collaboration, advocacy, and a shared commitment to dignity and stability for New Britain families.”
Within the last two years the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved replacement of Mount Pleasant as a Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion project to plan the demolition and re-construction of Mount Pleasant on Myrtle Street. In 2025, New Britain, with the New Britain legislative delegation working with the Stewart Administration, received $1,796,974 for planning and development. Last year the Common Council approved Phase 1 for the NBHA-City of New Britain project to proceed.
The additional funding enables the city and NBHA to start phase 1 that will replace 64 units with 79 units. The multi-phased project will replace 251 obsolete public housing units with approximately 330 mixed-income housing of choice units. The project will contain new roads and infrastructure as part of the revitalization of the Myrtle Street corridor. Under HUD requirements current tenants are guaranteed placement in new units or are eligible for housing vouchers, officials have said.
School District Requests 14.82% Increase for 2026-2027
A proposed $146,971,610 budget in local aid for the school system will be scrutinized by the Board of Finance & Taxation (BFT) before the board sends its recommendations to the Mayor’s office. A BFT meeting to review the education budget was cancelled February 5th and will be re-scheduled.
The 14.82% increase from the Board of Education is based on anticipated estimates of Educational Cost Sharing and other state aid that may increase once the legislature amends the current , two-year state budget. The proposed budget when all local, state and federal funds are counted totals $241,675,163.
According to the schools’ proposed budget higher costs stem mainly from contractual or mandatory expenses (88.4%), transportation (12.16%) and special education outplacements (9.53%) which are rising rapidly and require additional state aid to offset higher per pupil costs for special education.
The request to the city is $18,971,610 more than last year and stems from past municipal budgets that have not increased local aid in more than a dozen years. That nearly 15% boost in one year would result in a staggering tax burden for residents because of the over reliance on regressive property taxes. New Britain, according to the School Superintendent’s budget overview, ranks near the bottom (162) in local aid at $17,518.90 per pupil.
The city’s current 2025–2026 operating budget allocated $128 million to the school system, which is about $29.8 million less than the 2014 allocation provided by the city when adjusted for inflation, according to an analysis by the New Britain Progressive. This reflects the long-term pattern of flat or modest increases in city school funding, with the city’s share of the total budget for education losing ground year after year to inflation. Former Mayor Erin Stewart’s budgets also included a “non-operating” line under Education, which critics say was a way to allocate funds outside of the legally mandated operating budget.
City Mourns Alderman Jerrell Hargraves
Mayor Sanchez February 3rd statement on passing of Ward 2 Alderman Jerrell Hargraves:
“Alderman Hargraves devoted his life to the City of New Britain and to the people he served. He served as an Alderman for over a decade, during which time he was a thoughtful, principled, and tireless advocate for our community. In addition to his legislative service, he served the City for over 21 years in various roles including as our Human Rights & Opportunities Officer since 2018, where his commitment to equity, dignity, and fairness left a lasting impact. Beyond City Hall, Alderman Hargraves generously gave his time and leadership as a board member of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain and the New Britain Public Library, always working to strengthen the institutions that make our city stronger and more inclusive.”
Related Post: Alderman Hargraves Brought People Together
NB Politicus’ Week In Review is written and edited by Ward 4 Alderman and Common Council Majority Leader John McNamara. http://nbpoliticus.com
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