Renters Rebate, Clean Air Funding, and more

April 17, 2026

Dear Friends,

The House is Back in Session

It was great to be back in the House chamber with my colleagues recently. 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!

Below, you can see a photo of some of our friends from MARC, Inc. of Manchester who visited us last week at the Capitol!

Breaking Ground on Nye Road

Big news for Glastonbury! After many years of work, we’ve officially broken ground on Nye Road!

The Glastonbury Housing Authority will be turning a former vacant office building and surrounding land into 64 beautiful brand new apartments including affordable units and 13 supportive housing units for residents with intellectual disabilities receiving services through Connecticut Department of Developmental Services. CHFA supported this development through $7 million in financing and a tax credit allocation that generated $13.6 million in private investment.

Thank you to Office of Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Department of Housing Commissioner Mosquera-Bruno, CHFA, the Glastonbury Housing Authority, Town Council, and all of the local partners whose support has helped make this day possible. It was my pleasure to work with everyone to get this across the finish line!

You can read more coverage here.

Homes for CT Bill Update

As the House and Senate start sending more bills to the Governor's desk over the next few weeks, I want to highlight some bills I've been working on.

Last week the House unanimously passed HB 5314: An Act Concerning the "Homes for CT" Loan Program.

This bill makes adjustments to the Home for CT loan program, a new program we enacted in 2025 which helps homebuilders and developers receive funding to build new residential units - primarily "starter" homes and condominium communities. We worked closely with the homebuilders, banks and lenders, and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to set this program up.

The new adjustments include capping the interest rate for loans to lower the cost for homebuilders to build, and making the state's contributions more flexible. It is my hope that the Homes for CT program will work to expand Connecticut's housing supply, and I'm thrilled we are implementing changes to make it even better!

CGA Kickball Classic

Another victory for team “Majority Rules” in the CGA Kickball Classic!

A lot of fun and for a good cause. Plus, I got my first career hit in 5 years of playing. It’s harder than it looks!

You can read more about this great event and the cause we raised funds for here.

Renters' Rebate Program is Open Now

Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate Program is now open to eligible renters who are elderly or living with a disability and meet certain income requirements.

Qualified applicants may receive rebates of up to $900 for married couples and $700 for single individuals. The rebate amount is determined using a graduated income scale, as well as the total rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made during the previous calendar year.

Applications must be submitted through your local municipality’s assessor’s office or a designated social service agency. The application period is now open and will run through September 30. Please note that no extensions are permitted, and all applications must be received by the municipality no later than September 30.

Click here for more information about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Drug Takeback Day

As you begin spring cleaning, clearing out old medications is an essential step toward a refreshed and safe home. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, administered by the DEA, will take place Saturday, April 25. This event provides residents with a free, convenient way to safely dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications at local collection sites. The DEA partners with local law enforcement agencies across the United States to host this event in local communities like ours.

You can click here to use a locator tool to find your nearest disposal site.

Host sites will collect pills and capsules, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medicines. The DEA cannot accept liquid, sharps, or needles. Trained volunteers will be present to handle collected materials and ensure safe disposal. Any medication you wish to dispose of should be presented in a clear, sealed bag. Loose pills or capsules will not be accepted.

If you are unable to attend the event, MyOldMeds.com offers a Locator Tool to help you find the nearest disposal site year-round. There are more than 29,000 verified locations in all 50 states that have secure unwanted or expired medicine disposal kiosks, and/or provide free in-home disposal kits upon request. Additionally, the Locator Tool provides disposal site hours of operation, hours of collection, what is collected, and other helpful information.

Clean Air Funding

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.

ABLE to Save Month

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

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).