Connecticut
Citizens' Assembly

on Property Taxes

Support a statewide conversation on approaches to funding essential community services.

Learn More →
100 Assembly Members
6 Assembly Sessions
1 Shared Goal
Our Mission

An Assembly of Everyday CT Residents to Define the Future of Local Funding

The Connecticut Citizens' Assembly is a groundbreaking democratic initiative designed to give residents a direct voice in state policy. By bringing together a representative group of citizens from across the state, we aim to solve the complex challenge of funding local public services.


From transportation and infrastructure to education and emergency response, local public services are the backbone of our communities. Our mission is to give a representative sample of the people of Connecticut a chance to set their priorities for public service provision and funding.

🏛️

169 Towns, One Goal

Every corner of Connecticut — from coastal towns to rural communities — deserves a seat at the table. Our assembly ensures diverse, representative voices shape the future of how we fund the services that matter most.

Assembly Schedule

In person days will run roughly 9–5, with dinner and hotel provided on Saturday night for two day sessions.
Virtual days will run roughly 9–1.

2-Day In-Person
1-Day In-Person
Virtual
Jul 11–12
In-Person
New Haven
Jul 25
In-Person
New Haven
Aug 8
Virtual
Online
Aug 29–30
In-Person
New Haven
Sep 19
Virtual
Online
Sep 26
In-Person
Hartford
July
11–12
2-Day In-Person Session
New Haven — Yale Campus
July
25
1-Day In-Person Session
New Haven — Yale Campus
August
8
1-Day Virtual Session
Online
August
29–30
2-Day In-Person Session
New Haven — Yale Campus
September
19
1-Day Virtual Session
Online
September
26
1-Day In-Person Session
Hartford

Invitation Letter

The official invitation sent to selected Connecticut residents to participate in the Citizens' Assembly.

Download PDF Verify Invitation
Public Copy
Office of the Connecticut State Comptroller seal
Official Invitation

Help Shape the Future of Connecticut.

This responsive preview preserves the contents of the mailed invitation in an easy-to-read format for web and mobile visitors.

Dear [Recipient Name],

How we fund and deliver local public services, like our schools, roads, and police, affects every community in Connecticut. We want to hear from people across the state on this issue and we need your help.

We invite you to be part of the Connecticut Citizens' Assembly on Property Taxes.

This is a nonpartisan effort led by Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, in partnership with Yale University and the University of Connecticut.

From everyone who responds to this invitation, 100 residents will be chosen by lottery to take part. If selected, you will receive $1,200 for full participation.

As a participant, you will work with fellow residents from across Connecticut to learn about these issues and develop recommendations for state leaders.

How Do I Participate?

To be included in the pool from which we will randomly select the final list of 100 participants, please complete a short survey at your personal response link.

Redacted QR code placeholder
Redacted for web

Personal QR code and unique URL: removed from the public version of this letter.

Your personal login PIN: [XXXX]

Please respond by: [DATE]

Compensation: $1,200 for full participation if selected by lottery.

What Is the Topic?

Should Connecticut change how we pay for and deliver local services like education, road maintenance, or public safety?

You do not need any special background knowledge on these issues. Participants will learn together, hearing from experts, community members, and one another before reaching conclusions.

What Is a Citizens' Assembly?

A Citizens' Assembly brings together a group of everyday people to study an important public issue. With the help of professional facilitators, participants learn about the issue, discuss it together, and develop recommendations.

Citizens' Assemblies have been used around the world to tackle difficult questions because they give ordinary people the time and resources needed to reach thoughtful conclusions.

When Will the Assembly Meet?

The Assembly will meet over several sessions between July and September 2026. The full schedule is available at ct-citizens-assembly.org.

We hope you will consider joining us.

Joe DeLong
Executive Director & CEO, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities

Josh Kalla and Hélène Landemore
Professors of Political Science, Yale University

Michael Morrell
Professor of Political Science, University of Connecticut

Questions? [email protected]
Verify this invitation at osc.ct.gov/ctassembly.

A Collaboration Of
Office of the Connecticut State Comptroller Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Yale University University of Connecticut
Our Path Forward

Timeline

Our path from design to implementation to lasting impact on Connecticut's communities.

Design & Preparation

3 months of preparatory work — forming the expert governance committee, designing the assembly process, and recruiting a representative sample of Connecticut residents.

Recruitment

A randomly selected group of citizens from across the state will be invited to participate, ensuring the assembly reflects Connecticut's full geographic and demographic diversity.

Summer Sessions 2026

Assembly participants meet for 6 structured sessions — hearing from experts, deliberating in small groups, and building consensus around funding priorities.

Draft Recommendations

Citizens collectively draft a set of clear, actionable recommendations for how Connecticut should fund local public services equitably and sustainably.

Legislative Impact

State Comptroller Sean Scanlon presents the assembly's findings at a State Legislature hearing, where they serve as a primary evidence base for municipal funding reform.

Legislative Partnership

From Citizens to State Policy

The Connecticut Citizens' Assembly works in direct partnership with elected officials to ensure that the voices of everyday residents shape real policy outcomes.

"Assembly recommendations will be brought by State Comptroller Sean Scanlon to a hearing in the State Legislature, serving as the primary evidence base for municipal funding reforms."

Our Commitment

Empowering Citizens with the Information to Shape Connecticut's Future

We are committed to transparency, rigorous process design, and genuine civic engagement. Every participant receives the expert knowledge and deliberative support needed to make meaningful, informed recommendations.

Support the Assembly
Partners

Our Collaborators

Connecticut State Comptroller
Yale ISPS
UConn
CCM
Expert Oversight

Our Interim Expert Governance Committee

A distinguished group of scholars, practitioners, and civic leaders guiding the assembly's design — ensuring methodological rigor, independence, and deep expertise in deliberative democracy and Connecticut policy.

Meet the Committee →
With Gratitude

Our Donors

The Connecticut Citizens' Assembly is made possible by the generous support of individuals and organizations committed to strengthening democracy in Connecticut.

View Full Donor Acknowledgement →
Connect With Us

Get in Touch

Have questions about the assembly or want to provide input? Want to offer financial or in-kind support, or looking for opportunities for research? We are committed to transparency and citizen engagement throughout this process.

General Inquiries

[email protected]

Media Relations

[email protected]

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