Anthony Nolan

Connecticut House Democrats are making targeted, meaningful investments in the people who keep our communities strong — from first responders and veterans to nurses, teachers, and blue-collar workers.

We passed legislation backing those who serve by expanding support for police, firefighters, and veterans. That includes state-backed health insurance for families of fallen volunteer firefighters and state marshals, mortgage assistance for first responders, and stronger recruitment and training efforts. We’re also building on successful partnerships between law enforcement and mental health professionals, improving access to jobs and benefits for veterans, and creating new tuition assistance opportunities for those serving here at home.

It was a busy week, as the State House of Representatives was in session Monday-Thursday. We passed a number of bills, and you can read about some of them here.

I was glad to see the HERO Act has passed the Connecticut House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support, delivering meaningful protections and resources for our veterans and military families.

This legislation strengthens oversight to protect veterans from predatory claims assistance, expands access to dental care, supports military-connected families with early childhood services, and provides tax relief for National Guard members. It also invests in training for those who serve our veterans, establishes an emergency response fund, and honors our National Guard’s role in Connecticut.

Now, the bill moves to the Senate as we continue working to support those who have served our country.

It was great to be back in the House chamber this week with my colleagues. In the coming weeks, the State House and Senate will be meeting much more frequently to give final passage to bills that advanced through committees. Bills that passed through the House and Senate will then be sent to the governor's desk to be signed into law. I will keep you updated on all of the important bills the legislature passes!

Affordability remains a major challenge in our state. Alongside proposals to increase Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding and ease pressure on local property taxes, several other bills are focused on tackling the broader financial strains that families face every day.

A reminder that with the tax deadline approaching on Wednesday, April 15, now is the time to take action if you haven’t filed yet. There are several free resources available this year for anyone who needs to file state and federal taxes.

This week I joined my colleagues to support a new plan that strengthens the Education Cost Sharing program, the state's leading grant to local school districts. The plan redirects between $100-$170 million from our state's surpluses to flow back to cities and towns for education funding.

This proposal would prevent cities and towns from having to increase property taxes to cover the rising cost of education. It is our responsibility to make sure all children in Connecticut receive a proper education and learning environment, and this proposal goes a long way toward achieving that goal.

Last week, the Veterans & Military Affairs Committee advanced a series of important bills focused on strengthening support for our veterans, service members, and military families. The legislation addresses a wide range of issues, including protecting veterans from predatory benefits claim services, providing tax relief for military funeral honor guard members and disabled veterans, and ensuring municipalities are reimbursed for veteran-related property tax exemptions.

Other bills focus on expanding housing and food assistance for veterans in need, improving training for veterans’ service officers and municipal providers, supporting workforce pathways through Troops-to-Trades initiatives, and improving access to dental and health care services.

The committee also advanced measures to better coordinate veterans’ health care through an ombudsman program, support military families with early childhood services, and establish an emergency response account for the state’s military department. Together, these proposals reflect a continued commitment to honoring the sacrifices of those who served and ensuring veterans and their families have the support and resources they deserve.