Funding to Support Clean Air Projects and Bringing awareness to the ABLE CT Program

April 17, 2026


I hope this email finds you and your family well. Below is a recap of several bills that passed the House during last week’s session. We still have many important bills to address in the coming weeks before the session concludes on May 6.

There is plenty to get to in the email below, so make sure to keep scrolling for more on:

  • Bills that passed the House
  • Funding to Support Clean Air Projects
  • ABLE to Save Month
  • April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
  • Community Events

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at any time.

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.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)

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).


Click here to learn more about these and other upcoming events, and to register.


 


Click here to explore the complete lineup of upcoming events at the Rockwell Theater, now featuring the newly released Fall 2026 schedule.


 

The Bristol Bazaar is home to over 75 local makers, unique gifts, creative workshops, and Yellow King Bristol.

Shop small, support local and explore thousands of handmade treasures in our one-of-a-kind indoor market space. Open 6 days a week (67 Race Street), click here for more information.