Kevin Brown

A reminder that today, Friday, March 20, at 12:30 p.m., I will join my colleague, Representative Jaime Foster, at the East Windsor Senior Center (28 Abbe Road, East Windsor) to host an informational session with Department of Veterans Affairs Officer Devon Julien Sr. While this event is being held in East Windsor, Vernon residents are encouraged to attend.

During this session, we will provide an overview of available benefits, share helpful resource materials, and facilitate an open dialogue to answer questions and address concerns.

Our goal is to ensure that seniors and veterans are fully aware of the benefits and services available to them in a welcoming and accessible setting.

Following its passage from the Housing Committee last week, SB 257: An Act Concerning Evictions for Cause represents a crucial protective and preventative measure amid our state’s ongoing crises in housing affordability, evictions, and homelessness.

I joined colleagues and advocates in celebrating Just Cause protections, which aim to safeguard the rights and stability of countless Connecticut renters.

One in 20 renter households in CT faces eviction, and no-fault evictions make up over 10% of filings. SB 257 would end this practice by requiring landlords to give a legitimate reason for evicting tenants.

This common-sense “Just Cause” protection:

• Reduces evictions & housing instability
• Keeps families in their homes
• Improves public health & neighborhood safety
• Supports small business growth

Currently, only seniors and disabled renters in larger buildings have these protections. SB 257 expands them to all tenants in 5+ unit buildings after the first year.

Let’s stop unnecessary evictions, protect tenants, and strengthen our communities.

On Tuesday, I participated in School Meals Advocacy Day because no child should have to learn on an empty stomach. Hunger has no place in our classrooms, yet too many students still face that reality every day. Access to basic nutrition should never depend on paperwork, eligibility thresholds, or a family’s income level, it should be a given.

We’ve already seen what’s possible. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when school meals were made universally free, the results were clear and powerful. Students were better able to focus, families experienced less financial strain, and schools became stronger, more supportive environments for learning. 

Now, we have the opportunity to build on that progress.

HB 5144: An Act Concerning Funding for School Meals represents a critical step forward. It’s not just about food, it’s about equity, dignity, and giving every child the foundation they need to succeed. When we remove barriers to access, we remove stigma. When every student can eat without question or qualification, we create a system that works for all, not just some.

Investing in universal school meals is an investment in our children’s health, their education, and their future. Let’s ensure that no child in our state is asked to learn while hungry.

Earlier this week I joined Connecticut House Democrats to make clear our goal to deliver more education funding to our municipalities to support our kids and provide property tax relief.

As Vice-Chair of Education I am in full support of our proposal to help towns and cities facing an education funding crisis by using part of our state’s surplus revenue. While the final amount isn’t set, we are pushing for $100–$170 million in one-time aid to municipalities. Funding would be distributed using a formula similar to our existing education aid, based on factors like student need and local wealth, resulting in roughly a 2–5% increase in education funding.

This support would be in addition to our current education funding and is intended to ease budget pressures, helping our towns avoid raising property taxes while stabilizing our local finances and supporting our schools.

Governor Ned Lamont has signed Warehouse Worker Protection legislation into law (sections 50-57 of SB 298), marking a significant step forward in strengthening labor protections across Connecticut. This new law is designed to safeguard employees working in warehouses and fulfillment centers, industries that have seen rapid growth alongside increasing concerns about worker conditions and productivity demands.

The legislation establishes clear boundaries around the use of performance quotas, ensuring that such expectations cannot interfere with workers’ legally mandated rights, including meal periods and bathroom breaks. Employers are now required to be transparent about any quotas in place, meaning workers must be informed in advance of the specific performance standards they are expected to meet. 

Importantly, the law also introduces accountability measures. Employees who experience violations of these protections now have the ability to recover costs or damages they may incur as a result.

With this legislation, Connecticut becomes the first state in New England to enact Warehouse Worker Protection standards, and only the sixth in the nation to do so, joining California, New York, Washington, Minnesota, and Oregon. The move positions the state as a regional leader in advancing worker rights and reflects a broader national trend toward increased oversight of workplace conditions in high-demand logistics sectors.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a virtual public information meeting concerning the installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) upgrades across Greater Hartford (Berlin, Bloomfield, Bristol, East Windsor, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Somers, Southington, South Windsor, Vernon, and Windsor) on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:00 p.m.

The public information meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project. The meeting will take place on Zoom, and registration is required. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation, which will be recorded.

Construction is anticipated to begin summer 2027 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights-of-way, and approval of permit(s).

Click here for instructions on registering and accessing the meeting, language assistance, and how to listen in if you have limited internet options. 

Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by Tuesday, April 21 to DOTProject0171-0514@ct.gov or (860) 594-2020. Please reference Project No. 0171-0514 in the email or voicemail.

Please join the discussion on Chatbot Protections for Children & Older Adults on Saturday, March 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This is a critical conversation about keeping our most vulnerable community members safe as AI technology becomes part of daily life.

Our children are growing up with AI tutors, games, and chat companions. Our seniors are using AI for health monitoring and social connection.

Navigate how to embrace the benefits while protecting against the risks.

• Safe AI practices for families
• Recognizing when AI relationships become unhealthy
• Mental health support and crisis recognition
• What Connecticut is doing to protect vulnerable populations

Click here to register for the free zoom.

The CT Coalition for Climate Action is hosting its third annual Climate Change Student Poster Contest.

NEW FOR 2026: In addition to individual student entries, there is a new K–4 Classroom Poster Category, with one poster submission per class. The winning classroom will receive a $100 Staples® gift card along with a visit from either Leah Lopez of Save the Sound or Save the Sound’s Soundkeeper, Bill Lucy.

Students and finalists are invited to the judging at the Capitol on Earth Day, April 22nd between 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.. Semi-Finalists will be displayed at the state Capitol and the top three individual winners of the Grades 5–12 category will receive scholarships of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place.

The deadline for submissions is April 1 and you can submit your application via email to CTClimateActionCoalition@gmail.com.

Are you a young artist interested in showing off your talent? Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) is now accepting submissions for its Student Art Showcase. Selected students will participate in a special art exhibition at The Gallery at the Visual and Performing Arts Center (43 Lake Ave Ext, Danbury).

The showcase will accept art pieces in the following artistic categories: drawing and illustration, 3D small works, painting, and photography.

The top selected artists will be featured and presented with noteworthy recognition and awards at the opening reception.

The showcase is open to all Connecticut students in grades 9-12. There is no entry fee. Entries must be submitted by April 12. Click here to learn more.