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.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.

The Wheelhouse

Is compromise possible? CT lawmakers hopeful as 2026 session begins

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C Segment

A panel of civic-minded individuals answer questions at the University of Connecticut’s Hartford campus about engagement and the connective tissue of politics.

A panel of civic-minded individuals answer questions at the University of Connecticut&rsquo;s Hartford campus about engagement and the connective tissue of politics.

CT civic leaders ask: Can engagement help overcome political differences?

Connecticut lawmakers want to reduce kids’ screentime in 2026, arguing that it protects children.

Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed banning cell phones from “bell to bell” in Connecticut classrooms.

But not all lawmakers are onboard with the idea, including a Republican lawmaker who’s accusing members of her legislative chamber of trying to “co-parent” Connecticut’s children.

Today on The Wheelhouse, we explore “Phone Free CT” and what it means for children.

GUESTS:
Rep. Jennifer Leeper, CT House of Representatives, D-Fairfield, Southport
Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, CT House of Representatives, R-Southington, Wolcott
Gail Jordan, president, Bloomfield Teachers Union
John Murphy, professor of digital media business strategies, University of Connecticut 
Lisa Hagen, federal policy reporter, Connecticut Public and CT Mirror 

Connecticut lawmakers want to reduce kids&rsquo; screentime in 2026, arguing that it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/some-educators-parents-support-push-to-ban-cellphones-in-connecticut-classrooms/">protects</a>&nbsp;children.
Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed banning cell phones from &ldquo;bell to bell&rdquo; in Connecticut classrooms.
But not all lawmakers are onboard with the idea, including a Republican lawmaker who&rsquo;s accusing members of her legislative chamber of trying to &ldquo;<a href="https://ctmirror.org/2025/05/14/ct-social-media-bill-kids-online-safety/">co-parent</a>&rdquo; Connecticut&rsquo;s children.
Today on The Wheelhouse, we explore &ldquo;Phone Free CT&rdquo; and what it means for children.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Leeper">Rep. Jennifer Leeper</a>,&nbsp;CT House of Representatives, D-Fairfield, Southport</li>
<li><a href="https://www.cthousegop.com/mastrofrancesco">Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco</a>, CT House of Representatives, R-Southington, Wolcott</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Bloomfield-Education-Association/61557591103541/">Gail Jordan,</a>&nbsp;president, Bloomfield Teachers Union</li>
<li><a href="https://dmd.uconn.edu/person/john-murphy/">John Murphy</a>, professor of digital media business strategies, University of Connecticut&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/lisa-hagen-1">Lisa Hagen</a>, federal policy reporter, Connecticut Public and CT Mirror&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

‘Smartphones make you stupid’: CT governor wants ‘bell to bell’ cell phone ban

“Suffs,” the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about history-making women, is coming to Hartford.

From Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, the people behind “Suffs” say they’ll highlight themes of the past that are still relevant today including grassroots activism, race, gender and class dynamics.

Producers of "Suffs" say it isn’t some “dry history lesson,” but a high-energy, rousing experience saluting the powerful American women who fought for the right to vote.

Today on The Wheelhouse, meet Danyel Fulton, the actor that plays journalist Ida B. Wells. And we'll explore the suffragist movement in Connecticut.

GUESTS:
Danyel Fulton, actor/singer, “Suffs” 
Rachel Sussman, creative producer, “Suffs” 
Natalie Belanger, public programs manager, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History 

&ldquo;Suffs,&rdquo; the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about history-making women, is coming to Hartford.
From Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, the people behind &ldquo;Suffs&rdquo; say they&rsquo;ll highlight themes of the past that are still relevant today including grassroots activism, race, gender and class dynamics.
Producers of "Suffs" say it isn&rsquo;t some &ldquo;dry history lesson,&rdquo; but a high-energy, rousing experience saluting the powerful American women who fought for the right to vote.
Today on The Wheelhouse, meet Danyel Fulton, the actor that plays journalist Ida B. Wells. And we'll explore the suffragist movement in Connecticut.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.danyelfulton.com/">Danyel Fulton</a>, actor/singer, &ldquo;Suffs&rdquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.rachel-sussman.com/">Rachel Sussman</a>, creative producer, &ldquo;Suffs&rdquo;&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/about/staff/">Natalie Belanger</a>, public programs manager, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Is compromise possible? CT lawmakers hopeful as 2026 session begins

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