State lawmakers return to Hartford Wednesday for the opening of the 2026 legislative session.

They meet as federal lawmakers argue over expiring health care subsidies and immigration enforcement operations across the country.

In Connecticut, how will these federal cuts and controversies impact the work lawmakers do this session? And with soaring energy costs continuing to hammer Connecticut customers, might there be room for bipartisan compromise?

Guests:
Rep. Vincent Candelora, House Republican Leader, R-North Branford
Rep. Matt Ritter, Speaker of House, D-Hartford
Susan Raff, chief political reporter, WFSB News Channel 3
Ebong Udoma, senior reporter, WSHU

State lawmakers return to Hartford Wednesday for the opening of the 2026 legislative session.
They meet as federal lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/30/government-shutdown-senate-vote-dhs.html">argue over</a> expiring health care subsidies and immigration enforcement operations across the country.
In Connecticut, how will these federal cuts and controversies impact the work lawmakers do this session? And with soaring energy costs continuing to hammer Connecticut customers, might there be room for bipartisan compromise?
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.cthousegop.com/candelora">Rep. Vincent Candelora,</a>&nbsp;House Republican Leader, R-North Branford</li>
<li><a href="https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Ritter">Rep. Matt Ritter</a>, Speaker of House, D-Hartford</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wfsb.com/authors/Susan-Raff/">Susan Raff</a>, chief political reporter, WFSB News Channel 3</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wshu.org/people/ebong-udoma">Ebong Udoma</a>, senior reporter, WSHU</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

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