Affordability Proposals, Amazon Scam Alert, and Exploring Advanced Nuclear Energy

April 2, 2026


I hope this message finds you and your family well. For those observing Holy Week, may this sacred time bring you peace, reflection, and a renewed sense of faith. Wishing you moments of stillness, grace, and spiritual clarity throughout the week.

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

  • Key Bills Addressing Affordability
  • Exploring Advanced Nuclear Energy
  • Save the Date: April 9 Film Screening & Discussion
  • Alcohol Use in Adulthood Discussion
  • Become a Volunteer
  • Amazon Scam Alert
  • Passport to CT Libraries
  • Community Events

Key Bills Addressing Affordability

 

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.
 

  • Senate Bill 1: An Act Concerning Affordability includes several proposals aimed at lowering everyday costs, including eliminating the sales tax on clothing and shoes under $100, school supplies such as backpacks, and certain grab-and-go grocery items like sandwiches and coffee purchased from supermarkets. It also creates a caregiver tax credit for eligible expenses incurred while caring for a homebound family member. And for many seniors, its full exemption of Social Security benefits from state tax is one of the most significant proposals this session.
     
  • Senate Bill 513: An Act Concerning Structural Efficiency in the Collection of State Revenue would allow employees to elect having the employer pay their payroll taxes, helping to reduce employees’ federal taxable income, while employees receive a refundable credit on their state taxes. The goal is to lower overall tax liability for working residents.
     
  • House Bill 5114: An Act Establishing a Refundable Credit Against the Personal Income Tax for a Portion of Annual Rent Payments Made by a Taxpayer for a Primary Residence in the State would provide renters with a property tax credit of up to $2,500 per year, recognizing that renters also feel the strain of Connecticut’s high cost of living and deserve meaningful relief.
  • House Bill 5538: An Act Concerning a Study of State Finance Policies is part of a broader effort to make Connecticut more competitive with neighboring states and create an environment where businesses can grow and succeed here. 


Together, these proposals reflect a focused effort to ease the financial pressures facing Connecticut families, from lowering everyday costs and providing tax relief, to supporting seniors, caregivers, renters, and working residents.

Exploring Advanced Nuclear Energy

Millstone Nuclear Power Station

Governors of all six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) issued a joint statement to explore advanced nuclear energy by:
 

  • Maintaining existing nuclear plants by directing state energy offices to work with ISO New England, plant owners, and federal partners to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable operation
  • Exploring advanced nuclear energy in willing communities, including financing models, federal support, public-private partnerships, and consumer protections
  • Prioritizing local input, emphasizing community-led decisions on potential sites


Regional electricity demand is projected to rise over 40% in 20 years, with winter peak demand doubling by 2045 (per ISO New England). In 2025, Governor Ned Lamont further advanced Connecticut’s leadership in nuclear energy via Public Act 25-173, which enables towns to opt into hosting new nuclear generation by supporting development at Millstone, and funding early planning. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will be conducting a statewide public engagement effort to guide future advanced nuclear deployment that is slated to launch later this year.

The Bottom line: New England is preparing for major energy demand growth by preserving current nuclear power and cautiously advancing next-generation nuclear with strong local involvement.

Save the Date: April 9 Film Screening & Discussion


Join me on Thursday, April 9 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Legislative Office Building (Room 2C) for a film screening and discussion of "Hopeville: How to Win the Reading wars."

Filmmaker Harvey Hubbell V follows a first-grade class learning to read while exploring the broader causes of illiteracy in the U.S. It highlights Structured Literacy as a solution and shows how effective instruction can transform outcomes, especially for underserved students, urging a rethink of how reading is taught.

Click here to register for the film screening.
 

Alcohol Use in Adulthood Discussion


I am looking forward to attending the Informed Choices: Alcohol Use in Adulthood panel discussion on Friday, April 10. Click here to register and reserve your spot.
 

Become a Volunteer

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut has a community-based mentoring program that connects caring adults with young people who need encouragement, guidance, and someone to believe in them.

They are looking for volunteers, age 21+, who live in Connecticut and want to make a lasting difference in a child’s life. Mentoring creates life-changing relationships that can open doors, build confidence, and shape brighter futures. Join us in making a meaningful difference!

Click here to learn more and sign-up. 

 

Scam Alert

Have you received a suspicious text claiming to be from Amazon? You’re not alone, and it’s likely a scam.

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is warning residents about fraudulent messages that:

  • Claim an order was “recalled”
  • Urge you to click a link to confirm a refund

🚫 Do NOT click the link
📵 Block the number immediately

 

How to Spot the Scam

  • Links that look unusual or misspelled
  • URLs that do not include the official company name
  • Messages creating urgency or asking for quick action

Stay Safe, if something doesn’t look right, trust your instincts. When in doubt, go directly to the company’s official website instead of clicking any links.

Passport to CT Libraries

 

The Passport to Connecticut Libraries program is back will take place from April 1–30.

Starting April 1, visit your local library to pick up your official program passport along with a list of participating libraries across the state. Then the adventure begins, explore as many libraries as you can throughout April!

Visit at least five different participating libraries and collect stamps from those locations (only official participating libraries count, be sure to check your list). Then, once you’re done, be sure to return your completed passport by May 11 to be entered into a prize drawing.

With nearly 200 public libraries in Connecticut—plus school, college, museum, and even church libraries—there’s an incredible variety to discover. Each library offers something unique, and this program is a fun way to experience all the amazing things libraries across the state have to offer.

So grab your passport and start exploring, your next favorite library might be just around the corner!

Community Events

Save a Life Day is a Connecticut local health department initiative to educate residents about how to recognize and respond to an overdose situation and how to administer Narcan.

On Wednesday, April 8 at East Shore District Health Department (688 East Main Street) from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free walk-in trainings are being offered and participants will receive a free Narcan kit to take home. If you have questions email theier@esdhd.org or mwierzel@esdhd.org.

 

The East Shore Health District (ESHD) Mobile Health Clinic will be out and about in April. ESHD's Registered Nurse and Overdose Prevention Navigator will be offering free overdose prevention supplies, including Narcan, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, plus sexual-health and hygiene supplies. 

ESHD Staff provide confidential, judgment-free referrals and resources for substance use disorder, mental health, and medical concerns. If you can’t make it in person click here to request overdose prevention supplies. 

The Mobile Health Clinic will be out in the community throughout April:

  • April 6 in North Branford
  • April 27 in East Haven
  • April 7 in Guilford
  • April 13 in Branford
  • April 17 in East Haven
  • April 20 in Madison
  • April 24 in North Branford

Specific locations and times will be posted at least one week in advance on ESHD’s Events Calendar https://www.esdhd.org/events and on social media, @eastshoredhd on Instagram and https://www.facebook.com/ESDHD.