Kevin Brown

Thursday was Sustainable CT Day at the Capitol, where we highlighted successful sustainability initiatives from advancing energy efficiency and climate resilience to expanding affordable housing, strengthening local economies, and promoting equity. We had the opportunity to hear firsthand about the innovative, community-driven projects taking place across Vernon.

It was a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the impactful work underway to build a more sustainable Connecticut and a more sustainable Vernon!

Below I am pictured with Shaun Gately, Director of Development Services-Town of Vernon, and Annie Geitner, Senior Engineering Technician-Town of Vernon.

On Thursday, I also participated in a Private Equity Legislative Forum in Hartford. The forum brought together advocates, policymakers, and community members to learn more about the growing influence of private equity, hear firsthand accounts from those directly affected, and build momentum for legislation that responds to its expanding reach across critical sectors of public life.

As private equity firms continue to acquire essential services and infrastructure, their focus on short-term returns can come at a significant cost to workers, families, and communities. Here in Connecticut, we’ve seen the consequences play out in healthcare, housing, child care, and beyond, where financial pressures too often outweigh long-term stability and quality of care.

The bankruptcy of three Connecticut hospitals, including Rockville General Hospital, hit our community especially hard. This caused a disruption in access to care, strained nearby facilities, and left patients and healthcare workers facing uncertainty. Stories like these underscore the urgency of ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and safeguards when private equity enters sectors that people rely on every day.

My colleagues and I advanced several important bills in the House Chamber last week. Below are some of the highlights.

The House unanimously passed House Bill 5406, the Connecticut Hero Act, which strengthens and expands support for Connecticut veterans in several important ways. The legislation:

• Establishes a state-run dental care program for eligible veterans
• Waives motor vehicle operator license fees
• Expands eligibility for state military medals
• Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to warn veterans about predatory "claim sharks"

We also passed House Bill 5039, which increases transparency and accountability for legislative earmarks, funding that legislators allocate each year to nonprofits and community organizations. Under the bill, lawmakers must clearly specify how the funding will be used, and organizations seeking to sub-grant those funds must receive state approval. This measure promotes responsible use of taxpayer dollars and increases public trust.

Additionally, House Bill 5157 advanced. This legislation aims to strengthen Connecticut’s tire stewardship program by requiring retail stores to fully participate by July 1, 2027. The goal is to reduce illegal dumping and prevent the buildup of old tires in our neighborhoods, a persistent source of blight and environmental harm. By improving tire collection and ensuring responsible tire disposal, the measure will help keep our streets cleaner, reduce public health risks, and bring new life into our communities.

The Senate now has until May 6 to act on these measures.

The state is making $15 million available through the national settlement of the Volkswagen emissions scandal to support clean air projects across Connecticut. Eligible projects must reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, key contributors to smog, and help advance the state’s efforts to combat air pollution.

Older diesel engines are a major source of nitrogen oxide, which is linked to asthma, lung damage, and other serious health conditions, with children particularly at risk. Funding will prioritize projects that replace, repower, or retrofit aging diesel-powered vehicles and non-road equipment, significantly reducing harmful emissions.

Organizations interested in applying for grants can learn more through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). DEEP will also host an informational webinar on Tuesday, April 21 at 1:00 p.m. to review the application process and provide guidance. Proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on June 11. Click here to register for the webinar.

Click here for more information on the VW settlement.

April is recognized as ABLE to Save Month in Connecticut, a time to raise awareness about financial empowerment for individuals with disabilities. The ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program allows eligible individuals to establish tax-advantaged savings accounts that support greater independence and long-term financial security.

Recent expansions have broadened access to the program, making thousands more residents, including veterans, eligible by increasing the disability onset age to 46. ABLE accounts allow individuals to save more than $20,000 annually without jeopardizing eligibility for critical federal benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid, providing a vital pathway to stability, opportunity, and self-sufficiency.

Click here for more information on eligibility requirements and to enroll.

This is a time for advocates, survivors, their loved ones, and the broader community to come together to speak openly about sexual violence by supporting survivors, raising awareness, deepening understanding, and identifying effective strategies and resources to prevent it.

If you need support, The Connecticut Alliance to end Sexual Violence offers a 24-hour toll-free hotline, call 1-888-999-5545 (English) or
1-888-568-8332 (Spanish).