Patricia Dillon

While work at the federal level to step up the fight against climate change has been slow at best, here at the state level, House Democrats supported policies during the 2022 legislative session that will help cut our carbon footprint, promote environmental justice, and protect the health of Connecticut residents.

A year and half ago, several constituents told me that  their cars or their catalytic converters had been stolen, so I began researching the issue. Apparently, even though they are found in trace amounts, the precious metals in catalytic converters - platinum, rhodium, and palladium - can command stratospheric prices. One Russian oligarch even named his yacht 'Palladium.'

I'm happy to announce the passage of a bill I co-sponsored and that many of you contacted me about - S.B. 120, AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF CHLORPYRIFOS ON GOLF COURSES AND NEONICOTINOIDS FOR NONAGRICULTURAL USE).

This bill bans the use of chlorpyrifos (which is a pesticide used for the purpose of controlling foliage and certain insects) on golf courses or for cosmetic/nonagricultural uses.  

In recent days, two priority proposals I co-sponsored have advanced: expanded eligibility for absentee ballots, which is now law, and legislation aimed to curb the theft and transfer of catalytic converters, now headed for a Senate vote.