WESTPORT–On Feb. 3 at 5:45 p.m., on the eve of Hartford’s 2026 legislative session, Westport Journal will host a panel discussion with the town’s Hartford representatives. Register here.
Senator Ceci Maher, D-26, Representatives Jonathan Steinberg, D-136, and Dominique Johnson, D-143, will join scores of Westport Journal readers for a discussion on a range of topics, including
- Traffic in Westport
- The future of the Cribari Bridge
- How the Housing Growth law may impact Westport
- Energy affordability
- Covering federal cuts to food, healthcare and social services
- Education funding
Doors will open at 5:45 and wine, cheese and a special winter cocktail will be on hand. The panel will begin at 6:45. There will be a Q&A session after the panel discussion.
The event is free to attend but attendees must register beforehand here.
The Westport Journal LIVE series is underwritten by the KMS Team at Compass.
Libations and Legislation
Feb. 3, 2026. Doors at 5:45 p.m., panel at 6:45
Christ and Holy Trinity Church
75 Church Lane
Westport
I do respect like and respect Ceci Mahar, Jonathan Steinberg, and Dominique Johnson personally. I do thank them for their service.
I do have a problem with who they are serving. The fact that all 3 voted in FAVOR the recent Affordable Housing Bill that will continue to cripple Westport, as we already have 6 or 7 possible 8-30g projects in our Planning and Zoning pipeline today, is unconscionable.
Make no mistake 8-30g and this current Affordable Housing Bill is 100% a Partisan DEMOCRATIC BILL. This law was passed in special session without minority party (Republican input and debate).
The question is who is Jonathan, Ceci and Dominique serving? The Democratic Majority Party, that has run Hartford the past 25 plus years, holding strong Majorities in both the House and the Senate? Or the residents of Westport and our local zoning laws?
Westport has always been a leader in affordable housing, even before 8-30g with Hales Court, Trailer Park and others. Yet The Democrats who run Hartford NEVER gave us credit for our pre 8-30g housing efforts. All they keep doing is pushing unsustainable demands, like moratorium points once met, we can never keep up with. No points are given until CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY. That’s right..approved housing is NO HOUSING when it comes to affordable housing points.
Westport Democrats, you need to step up and call out your own. Democratic Representatives that you send to Hartford from Westport and Fairfield County have failed us when it comes to fighting these crazy socialistic “one size fits all” urbanization laws.
I hope local Democrats can rally other local Democrats to fight Hartford the way they run to the “protest bridge” to fight Washington. After all, these poorly thought out Democrat Hartford laws hit very close to home too.
I eager to hear thoughts…I will not be able to attend on February 3, (RTM MEETING) I do hope others attend make their voices heard.
Jimmy Izzo
RTM 3