Aundré Bumgardner

Under both current law (just for protected tenants ie those over 62 and persons with a physical or mental disability) and

Under SB 143, this includes tenants who live in a building or complex like Ivy Court with at least five separate dwelling units or mobile manufactured home parks with at least five homes (rather than those who qualify as protected tenants, as under current law).

Every resident at Ivy Court and the 41st District deserves to live in a safe and affordable home and an inclusive neighborhood where they can thrive. We must pass policies in Hartford that ensure working families won’t be displaced from our community.

During my time on the town council, he began chairing the Groton Resilience and Sustainability Task Force, serving as a vocal leader to ensure that our community was a leading municipality on climate action. As a private citizen, we worked closely together on issues of local significance and spent many hours strategizing with him, seeking guidance on solutions, and learning from his wisdom.

As a member of the Connecticut Public Transportation Council, he took on the role of championing the Shoreline East expansion proposal, which would extend the commuter rail line from New London into Groton, Mystic, and Westerly. He was so dedicated and committed to this effort, and I will fight to restore funding and secure commitments to expand Shore Line East to our RI border.

Not to play favorites, but Zell was one of the most cherished constituents I had the privilege of knowing. He and his amazing wife Liz have believed in me when I haven’t always. My deepest condolences go to Liz and their entire family. My heart is also heavy for the dozens of Noank residents who consider him a close friend.

Loss is like a passing train, roaring through the station of our lives, leaving behind echoes of memories on the tracks of our hearts. Along our coastline, the salty breeze hits our skin, as the distant sound of a train whistle carries on the wind, a haunting melody blending with the crashing waves, echoing the longing of distant shores. RIP Zell.

We heard an update from DPNC’s Davnet Conway and Vera Harsh on the initiatives they are undertaking for their federally licensed wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility; natural history museum highlighting southeastern Connecticut’s local ecosystem; wildlife sanctuary, trails network, and open spaces they manage; community giving garden; and early childhood education-through-nature program.

DPNC is in the process of EXPANDING its preschool program and will offer additional slots at their newly renovated space at Coogan Farm. Currently, thousands of jobs remain open in New London County as its major defense, manufacturing, and hospitality industries struggle to find workers, in part because the area is a childcare desert according to the CT Office of Early Childhood.

As a member of the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee, I voted to advance our House Democrats’ Caucus priority bill on early childhood education and care, HB 5002– and was privileged to co-sponsor the legislation. Of local significance, Section 5 of the bill proposes a tri-share childcare model in New London County, establishing a public-private partnership with an evenly shared cost for qualifying employees’ childcare between the state, participating employers, and participating employees.

We are grateful that DPNC is prioritizing the development of our youngsters, and nurturing their love for our local environment. Every day, they demonstrate that providing programs for people and protecting birds of prey and songbirds and the habitats they call home, are not mutually exclusive.

This free event, which takes place on Monday, April 29th from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the North Lobby of the Capitol, aims to raise awareness, enhance understanding, and address challenges confronting the autism community. I am proud my mom, Liz Bumgardner, will be participating in this event, from an educator and parent advocate perspective.