Bigg News - 5.29.25 | Connecticut House Democrats

Bigg News - 5.29.25

May 29, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

We are in the final stretch of the legislative session. With just a week left, my colleagues and I are busy getting important bills across the finish line. This week, we made some great progress addressing the housing crisis in our state - passing a bill that will promote affordable housing development, increase the options for where apartments can be built, and support unhoused people across the state.

It's policies like this housing bill that make a real, immediate impact on people's lives and I'm proud to be supporting them here in Hartford.

With the session ending, summer is right around the corner. In this week's update, in addition to going into detail on some of the important bills I'm helping pass, I'll highlight some fun activities in our community and a job fair that could help you find the next step in your career.

Sincerely,

Patrick Biggins
State Representative

Around the Capitol

Opening Doors to Housing

Amid one of the most constrained housing markets in the nation, families across our communities are finding it harder than ever to secure homes.

Rents are rising, available housing is scarce, and outdated policies are standing in the way of new construction. This housing crisis impacts every facet of life-limiting economic opportunity, straining our education and healthcare systems, and affecting public safety.

House Democrats led the passage of legislation that aims to tackle these challenges head-on by increasing housing supply, streamlining regulations, protecting vulnerable residents, and empowering local communities with the tools they need to create lasting solutions.

Provisions in this measure provide funding to regional bodies to support towns in planning for affordable housing proactively. This is coupled with a robust $50 million annual grant program to help public housing authorities directly increase the housing supply for our lowest-income residents.

Finally, for those who find themselves in the unfortunate situation of homelessness, this bill offers meaningful support by funding mobile shower and laundry services—meeting urgent hygiene needs while promoting public health and restoring a sense of dignity.

Additionally, we affirm the humanity and vulnerability of unhoused individuals by banning hostile architecture designed to exclude or punish them.

Addressing the issue of housing is a complex challenge with no simple solutions, but this bill represents a meaningful step forward in supporting those in need.

Medical Debt Relief

I’m happy to share that the second round of medical debt relief is on the way — funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and made possible through our partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt.

What to expect:
Keep an eye out for an official letter from Undue Medical Debt. THIS IS NOT JUNK MAIL! There is no application process, no catch, just relief.

Who qualifies?
Individuals earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level
Those whose medical debt equals 5% or more of annual income

This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to health equity, financial relief, and a more compassionate healthcare system for all Connecticut residents. You can view a sample of what this letter looks like HERE.

Autism, IDD Support Services

We passed legislation that will foster a more inclusive and responsive system that better meets the needs of individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Tracks delays & gaps in critical services
Requires public reporting on abuse & neglect cases
Review DDS investigation policies every 5 years
Launches statewide autism needs assessment
Studies the future of Southbury Training School
Proposes urgent help for complex autism cases

Towing Law Overhauled

The House overwhelmingly approved a bill to overhaul the state’s towing law, making it harder to tow vehicles from private property and easier for drivers to retrieve their vehicles after a tow.

HB 7162 overhauls the state’s 100-year-old towing statutes creating massive reforms to towing procedures from private property and rate increases for highway tows that typically follow car accidents.

Tow companies are now required to accept credit cards and they are not allowed to tow vehicles quickly just because of an expired parking permit or registration. Vehicles can’t be towed from private property without notice unless they’re blocking traffic, fire hydrants or parked in an accessible space.

The bill takes several steps to make it easier for people to get their towed vehicles back and requires towing companies to take more time and increase documentation during the sale process.

Bills Passed in the House (So far)

For a look at bills passed in the House during the 2025 legislative session so far, please click on the image below.

It's About That Time: Enjoy CT

Hot days, cool drinks, baseball, and barbecues are popular staples during the summer but Connecticut, from one end of the state to the other, offers so much more.

Connecticut is home to 110 state parks, 32 state forests, 29 state campgrounds, 117 state boat launches, and 4 coastal state beaches that provide any number of recreational opportunities, along with many other attractions and nationally ranked restaurants.

Two new trails guide visitors on some of the more unique experiences the state has to offer, including the Connecticut Oyster Trail, and the Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail. Later this year the state will officially launch the Connecticut Pizza Trail to celebrate its designation as the Pizza Capital of the United States.

The best way to explore tourism destinations and find activities to do in the state is by visiting the official Connecticut Tourism website HERE.

There's more.

Litchfield County was ranked as one of the best places to go in 2025 and Mystic Seaport Museum was the “#2 Best Open-Air Museum” for the second consecutive year.

Hungry?

Several CT chefs and restaurants have gained national recognition, including chef David Standridge of The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic capturing the world-renowned James Beard Award for best chef in the northeast, and several others named semifinalists, including Renee Touponce of Oyster Club and The Port of Call in Mystic who was nominated in the outstanding chef category, and Coracora in West Hartford nominated for outstanding restaurant.

Seasons change quickly. With all that it has to offer, summertime in Connecticut is one you don't want to miss.

Biggins Books

I love to read! This week I am introducing a new section entitled "Biggins Books" to highlight what I'm currently reading all via audiobooks, and some highlights and thoughts about what I read.

Full disclosure? I hope that you're encouraged to pick up a book, any book, and just read. Reading is a wonderful way to relax, relieve stress, enhance brain activity, and more.

I recently finished two books that I found incredibly good, including The Life We Bury: a novel by Allen Eskens.

This was a great book that kept me on my toes the entire time with a real inability to predict the next turn or where the book would end. It was a great book in that regard.

The other is Patriot: A Memoir by Alexei Navalny

This was a Favorite Book on Obama’s 2024 list that finally popped up on my Libby holds. This is not a book I really would have picked up without the Obama recommendation.

I enjoyed this book but I also did not understand many references to Russian political events. The overall themes were interesting, especially in our current political climate.

Upcoming: Statewide Job Fair Slated for June 12th

AANHPI Month Highlight

Proudly honoring the trailblazing achievements of Judge Sarala Nagala — the first South Asian federal judge in Connecticut.

Health Resources

Please take advantage of this free program that can save you up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state. There's no cost, age restriction, or income restriction to join. To sign up, please click here.

Visit the ArrayRx website and enter your name, email address, birth date, home address, and zip code. After signing up, you will be emailed a digital discount card.

For more information on ArrayRx, including a drug price lookup tool, visit arrayrxcard.com.