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On Monday, April 13th at 10:30 a.m. I will be joining Mayor Bobby Sanchez and the New Britain Veterans Commission for the annual National Borinqueneers Day Celebration.
I hope you can join us, too, at the Borinqueneers Monument, located at 246 Beaver Street. |
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| Every year on this date, we recognize the sacrifices made and the adversity overcome by the Borinqueneers, the 65th Infantry Regiment from Puerto Rico, who proudly served in both World Wars and the Korean War. |
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| Thank you for coming out to the Ward 5 Listening Tour: Your Voice Our City! |
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| In an orderly fashion, New Britain residents joined thousands across the state and country in peaceful protests on No Kings Day. |
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Thanks again to all who attended the informational forum for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NoFO) through the Social Equity Council's Reimagine and Revitalize (R2) Program.
What a great turnout!
Through the R2 Program, the Social Equity Council is investing $12M annually in:
- Economic development
- Re-entry support
- Youth Initiatives
This forum was a great opportunity to connect with organizations here in New Britain and provide them with the resources needed to best serve our community.
If you are interested in learning more, click here.
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| Sights of success from the New Britain Parks & Recreation Easter Egg Hunt @ Osgood Park! |
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The Judiciary Committee voted to advance legislation that would expand restrictions on where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents can operate in Connecticut.
The bills would prohibit ICE from entering places of worship and hospitals, ensuring that our residents are not afraid to seek medical care or practice their faith.
Connecticut is already one of the safest states for immigrants in the country, and we do not need the federal government's heavy-handed enforcement tactics to keep our communities safe.
Attorney General William Tong has voiced his support for these measures, noting that immigrants and their families have a right to be protected from violence and intimidation. |
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(Image credit ACLU)
Earlier in March, the Committee also held a public hearing on several bills aimed at increasing state oversight of federal law enforcement officers, including SB 91 and SB 397, which would expand the definition of "peace officer" under state law to cover all federal law enforcement agents — not just those dealing with narcotics.
Connecticut Inspector General Eliot Prescott testified that the state has a broad sovereign interest in ensuring that all officers, including federal agents, comply with Connecticut law.
While these proposals continue to be refined, the Committee is committed to ensuring Connecticut has the tools it needs to hold everyone accountable under the law
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(Image credit: Windsor Patch)
In a significant bipartisan achievement, the Judiciary Committee approved a compromise bill that would prevent license plate reader data from being shared with federal immigration authorities.
This legislation was the product of a broad collaboration among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the ACLU of Connecticut, the state Judicial Branch, and the Department of Transportation.
Under the bill, license plate data retention would be limited to 30 days, and after 7 days, police would be required to obtain a judicial warrant to access the information.
The legislation strikes a careful balance: it preserves the ability of law enforcement to use this technology to solve crimes and protect our communities, while ensuring that residents' civil liberties are not compromised and that the data is not misused for immigration enforcement, reproductive health care investigations, or other purposes unrelated to public safety.
As Senator John Kissel, the ranking Republican on the Committee, noted, the warrant requirement after seven days is a crucial safeguard against "open-season fishing expeditions". The bill now heads to the House for a floor vote. Local law enforcement agencies are already updating their policies to align with these new standards.
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The Judiciary Committee held a significant public hearing on SB 503, a bill that would expand early parole eligibility for individuals who committed crimes when they were under the age of 26.
Over 200 people, including incarcerated individuals and their families, submitted testimony in support of the proposal. The bill is grounded in well-established neuroscience showing that the brain does not fully develop until around age 25, particularly in areas governing impulse control and long-term decision-making. |
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(Image credit: Bill Kennedy Law)
Under the proposed legislation, a person who committed a crime before turning 26 would become eligible for parole after serving 60% of a sentence of less than 50 years, or 30 years of a sentence of more than 50 years.
Importantly, the bill does not mean automatic release — the Board of Pardons and Paroles would still make individual determinations about whether a person has been rehabilitated. Advocates and researchers have pointed to Connecticut's own data showing that only about 1 in 10 individuals released under similar earlier laws have returned to prison, compared to a general recidivism rate of 40% to 49%.
This is about being smart on justice — acknowledging that people can grow beyond the worst mistakes of their youth while still respecting the needs of victims and communities.
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The state will implement new federal Workforce Pell Grants through the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS), marking a major expansion of financial aid for short-term, career-focused training.
Enabled by H.R. 1 Workforce Pell expansion, the policy allows low-income students to use Pell Grants for programs lasting 8–15 weeks (150–599 hours).
Previously, only programs of at least 15 weeks and 600 hours qualified. This change is designed to open faster, more flexible pathways into high-demand fields, especially for working adults and non-traditional learners. |
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OWS will coordinate a broad statewide effort involving agencies and institutions such as the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, Connecticut Department of Labor, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, and the University of Connecticut, along with workforce boards and credentialing bodies. The goal is to align training programs directly with employer needs and regional labor shortages.
To qualify for Workforce Pell funding, programs must meet strict performance and quality standards:
- Align with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industries
- Lead to a recognized, stackable postsecondary credential
- Achieve at least a 70% completion rate and 70% job placement rate
- Result in wages above the state median for high school graduates
- Be in operation for at least one year
The initiative is intended to strengthen Connecticut’s talent pipeline while making education more accessible and outcomes-driven. Workforce Pell Grants are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
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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. |
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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. |
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With the tax deadline approaching on April 15th, now is the time to take action if you haven’t filed yet. There are several free resources available this year for anyone who needs to file state and federal taxes.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help for low-to moderate-income (under $58,000) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Volunteers, sponsored by various organizations, receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Visit Connecticut's 2-1-1 website and the Free Tax Help page for VITA assistance updates, or visit the IRS Site Locator.
AARP's Tax-Aide Program, a partnership between the AARP Foundation and the Internal Revenue Service, provides free tax counseling and preparation services to middle-and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to people age 60 and older. Many sites will e-file your federal and Connecticut returns at no cost to you. Visit the AARP Tax-Aide Site Locator to find a location near you.
The UConn Law School Tax Clinic is a pro bono (free) legal clinic that provides free legal help to low-income taxpayers with tax problems, either with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Lisa Perkins, Clinical Professor & Director, and law students will work on your case. The Tax Clinic also works with attorneys in Connecticut who volunteer to help low-income taxpayers pro bono. The Tax Clinic is independent and separate from the IRS and DRS.
It is important to note that the UCONN tax clinic is only able to assist individual taxpayers with Connecticut income tax problems. Contact Lisa Perkins at lisa.perkins@uconn.edu or 860-570-5165. |
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| As we begin spring cleaning, clearing out old medications is an essential step toward a refreshed home. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, provides residents with an opportunity to safely dispose of their unused or expired medications at local collection sites. |
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| In New Britain, the lobby of the New Britain Police Department, located at 10 Chestnut Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please note that a permanent drop is available, also in the lobby 24/7. |
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