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It is crunch time at the Capitol as we enter the final week of passing legislation before our deadline. We advanced a priority housing bill to support those struggling with rising rents. I'll break down how this proposal is a win for Hartford and West Hartford.
The House also passed a measure that will reform special education across the state. Please keep scrolling for a deep dive into how this legislation will address shortfalls in the special education system for students and teachers. |
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The community came together to remember our fallen heroes on Memorial Day in West Hartford. Keep scrolling to see pictures from the touching ceremony.
These are the sections in today's email:
- Remembering Our Fallen Heroes
- Opening Doors To Housing
- Special Education Reform
- Tackling Street Takeovers
- Overhauling the State’s Towing Law
- Collecting Suits for Veterans
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| Remembering Our Fallen Heroes |
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It was an honor and a privilege to participate in the Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade in West Hartford. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, it was especially meaningful to stand alongside fellow service members, veterans, and their families to pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
I was humbled to have the opportunity to speak during the ceremony and to reflect on the courage, dedication, and selflessness of those we have lost. The presence of multiple generations was a powerful reminder that the legacy of our fallen heroes lives on through our collective remembrance and gratitude. |
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| Let us continue to honor their memory every day through service, unity, and a shared commitment to the values they fought to protect. |
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Amid one of the most constrained housing markets in the nation, families find it challenging to secure homes. Rents are rising, available housing is scarce, and outdated policies are standing in the way of new construction. This housing crisis limits economic opportunity, strains our education and healthcare systems, and affects public safety.
We passed a bill increasing housing supply, streamlining regulations, protecting vulnerable residents, and empowering local communities with tools providing lasting solutions. |
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| Provisions in this measure provide funding to regional bodies to support towns in proactively planning for affordable housing. This is coupled with a robust $50 million annual grant program to assist public housing authorities in directly increasing housing supply for our lowest-income residents. |
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Finally, for those who find themselves in the unfortunate situation of homelessness, this bill offers meaningful support by funding mobile shower and laundry services—meeting urgent hygiene needs while promoting public health and restoring a sense of dignity. Additionally, we affirm the humanity and vulnerability of unhoused individuals by banning hostile architecture designed to exclude or punish them.
Addressing the issue of housing is a complex challenge with no simple solutions, but this bill represents a meaningful step forward in supporting those in need. |
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For too long, Connecticut's special education model has faced fundamental flaws that prevented all students from receiving the proper education they deserve. With our recent passage of HB 5001: An Act Concerning the Quality and Delivery of Special Education Services in Connecticut, we are taking important steps to reform this system.
This bill, which passed 148-0 in the House on a bipartisan basis, makes historic investments for students in special education, delivers better access to services, and provides cost controls and greater transparency. |
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Key provisions of the bill include:
- Historic investment in our students, including $30 million for the Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program, which will help build capacity to serve students closer to home.
- Prioritizing better access to services through enhanced development screenings, behavioral assessment and intervention plans, access to remedial classes in higher education, and involvement of parents and local school districts before a student is moved from their school.
- Reining in costs by regulating third party rate processes and developing new billing and licensing standards.
- Increasing oversight through on-site compliance visits and detailed system-wide reporting to reduce unpredictability and improve accountability.
Children are our future, and it is our responsibility to provide them a proper education. In a state that has one of the best K-12 public school systems in the country. This legislation makes sure our special education program maintains that same level of quality.
The bill must now pass the Senate before the governor can sign it into law.
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| Tackling Street Takeovers |
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We’re cracking down on street takeovers and the illegal use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV). This activity is not only disruptive, but dangerous.
House Democrats voted on Wednesday to authorize steep fines, vehicle seizures, and automatic license suspensions.
This legislation targets both participants and organizers, aiming to curb dangerous road behavior with tougher enforcement and penalties. |
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| Overhauling the State’s Towing Law |
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We approved a bill to overhaul the state’s towing law, making it harder to tow vehicles from private property and easier for drivers to retrieve their vehicles after a tow.
House Bill 7162 overhauls the state’s 100-year-old towing statutes creating massive reforms to towing procedures from private property and rate increases for highway tows that typically follow car accidents. |
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Tow companies are now required to accept credit cards and they are not allowed to tow vehicles quickly just because of an expired parking permit or registration. Vehicles can’t be towed from private property without notice unless they’re blocking traffic, fire hydrants, or parked in an accessible space.
The bill takes several steps to make it easier for people to get their towed vehicles back and requires towing companies to take more time and increase documentation during the sale process. |
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| Collecting Suits for Veterans |
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| The Veterans & Military Affairs Committee was proud to support our veterans through the annual Save a Suit Drive, collecting suits, dress shirts, blouses, shoes, ties, belts, and other professional attire. This important effort helps ensure our heroes have the clothing they need to confidently pursue career opportunities and thrive in civilian life. |
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| Rep. James Sánchez, Rep. Anthony Nolan, Jacqueline Nadal-Sánchez, and Rep. Hubert Delany |
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My wife Jacqueline Nadal-Sánchez had the honor of donating suits at the State Capitol. As the Chair of Bank of America's Military Support & Assistant Group, Jacqueline is deeply committed to uplifting others, especially our veterans, and was proud to contribute to this meaningful cause. It was a privilege to stand alongside her and deliver more suits in support of those who served our country.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this impactful tradition, including former Veterans & Military Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Anthony Nolan and current Vice Chair Rep. Hubert Delany.
If you have any questions or concerns related to veterans and their families, I encourage you to contact Rep. Delany directly at (203) 397-6167 or via email at Hubert.Delany@cga.ct.gov. |
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