Jonathan Steinberg

Today, in the early morning hours, I found myself in the middle of the most wrenching situation I've had in my eight years in the Legislature. The end result was important: the landmark energy bill passed the House and will be sent to the Governor for signing. But the path to passage was tortuous, splitting the energy and environmental cause community and leaving the outcome very much in doubt.

I am so proud the House passed legislation that will protect children in mortal danger. Extreme food allergies are a growing threat, affecting millions of children and adults nationwide.

I am proud of my support for sensible gun reform legislation, such as the ban on bump stocks which passed the House yesterday.

I stood with workers from the solar power industry in support of fixes to Senate Bill 9 to assure continuing our successful net metering program which is the cornerstone of our expansion of renewable energy.

The state House of Representatives took a step on April 19 toward closing the gender wage gap and ensuring women earn equal pay for equal work by passing House Bill 5386.

It was great to see so many young pro-environment activists working to raise awareness today at the State Capitol for Youth Climate Action Day. I look forward to working with them and seeing their continued advocacy in the months and years to come for a better environment.

The Public Health Committee passed Senate Bill 164 out of committee this week, which will raise the smoking age to 21.

I joined Connecticut families and stakeholders for a press conference on the health impacts of carbon emissions and to highlight a new study by the American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy, Save Energy, Save Lives, that directly links the reduction in energy consumption with positive improvements on public health.