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| On Thursday, the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned -- marking the legal moment the legislature concludes its business for the year. We worked until the last minute in order to pass as many bills as possible. It was an exhilarating experience to speak on the House floor, to debate proposals that matter to you, and to vote on measures that will undoubtedly help our district. I cannot begin to describe how deeply humbling it is to be your voice in Hartford.
I must recognize everyone who provided invaluable advice, friendship, and camaraderie over the past five months. I want to start with my delegation colleagues Representatives Christine Conley and Greg Howard. It’s been an honor to work with you both to represent the interests of both towns we serve. |
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| I must also thank my brothers State Representatives Anthony Nolan and Derell Wilson as well as the entire Black and Puerto Rican Caucus for their support. |
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| I also want to express deep appreciation for my staff, who have been instrumental behind the scenes at the Capitol. This group of amazing young people have supported me and continue to work hard on behalf of the 41st House District. |
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The House and Senate both passed a bipartisan state budget, which does not use any federal covid-19 relief assistance to balance our finances. The budget includes the largest personal income tax cut in state history and eliminates more retirement income taxes by smoothing the benefit cliff for those with pension, annuity, and IRA income.
I'm delivering on my promise to be fiscally responsible while saving Eastern Connecticut taxpayers money, especially in retirement. The budget also responds to inflation by freezing scheduled increases on the diesel tax, which in turn lowers the cost of groceries and other commodities.
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| Our children are our greatest asset and investing in their development is the key to a bright future. It will lead to an even more skilled and productive workforce that will drive our economic growth, innovation, and ingenuity. |
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Speaking of schools, I applaud the state for increasing the reimbursement rate by 10 percentage points on the construction work at Thames River Elementary School. According to the Groton Board of Education, this move will save Groton taxpayers an estimated $4 million. This additional state funding will ease the tax burden on our residents, allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned income and successfully close out our Groton 2020 plan.
Thames River Elementary School opened in the fall of 2021 on the former West Side Middle School Site. Groton Public Schools requested the additional reimbursement because there was a misapplication of the grant statues involving Thames River Magnet and its replacement status of West Middle School.
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| Thames River Taxi Cruise is receiving $400,000 from the state budget. $200,000 will be allocated in both fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The water taxi cruise is a one-hour hop-on hop-off harbor cruise that connects the towns of Groton and New London. The funding for the water taxi cruise has doubled from the last budget. |
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| BILLS I COSPONSORED THAT PASSED THE HOUSE: |
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| I am proud to have cosponsored HB 6397, which requires Connecticut state agencies to create a roadmap to decarbonize Connecticut’s economy and secure federal funding for this decarbonization effort. |
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| On Tuesday, I spoke just outside the Capitol about the importance of this and other environmental bills. Thank you to the CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs for inviting me to take part. |
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I’m thrilled that HB 6480, which establishes a working group on the restoration of eel grass, is heading to the governor’s desk. I was an early cosponsor and voted to advance the bill out of the Environment Committee and House. The Senate passed the measure on Tuesday.
The working group involved in this bill will consist of members of shoreline conservation commissions, members of municipal shellfish commissions, a marine biologist from The University of Connecticut at Avery Point, a student from the Marine Science Magnet School in Groton, and Save the Sound's Long Island Soundkeeper.
In developing such strategies, the working group shall review and synthesize information from studies performed by the states of New York and Rhode Island as well as identify any priority areas of the shoreline for the implementation of such strategies.
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| In May, I spoke with students at Marine Science Magnet High School about the importance of their involvement in restoring eel grass. |
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The Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan has a target to increase eel grass meadows to 4,000 acres. Eel grass meadows provide high quality habitat for spawning, rearing, and cover for adult fish species and important food for several fish species. They also sequester carbon from seawater into the bottom sediments and trap sediment which increases water clarity.
Eel grass plays a major role in the marine food web from the City of Groton to Stonington Borough. The unique habitat produces food and oxygen, stores greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, and absorbs excess nutrients. We are dedicated to preserving this critical natural resource in the Long Island Sound.
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| SB 7 secures energy predictability, affordability, and transparency for rate payers. This bill empowers the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to look out for the rate payers in our state. |
| HB 6805 expands the ability to install solar panels on condominiums and cooperatives and ensures swimming pools continue to be required to have fences around them and not just pool covers or alarms. |
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| HB 6669 is a sweeping measure that protect patients and prohibits unnecessary health care costs by promoting more equitable access. It establishes a drug discount card program, lowers prescription drug costs, allows for negotiating discounts with drug manufacturers, and centralizes drug purchasing. |
| People who own mobile manufactured homes often don’t own the land under their homes. SB 988 requires mobile manufactured home park owners to give the park’s residents notice and an opportunity to purchase the park before completing a sale of the park. |
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| Please join me tomorrow for coffee to get all the highlights from this year's legislative session. I will be meeting residents on Saturday from 11 am - 1 pm at The Ditty Bag in Mystic. Please come, share your priorities, ask questions, and provide feedback. I always look forward to speaking with you and having a conversation on how to address the needs of our district. |
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WHAT'S YOUR REP BEEN UP TO?
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| I had a great time attending the Equity Match Grant Round 6 Road Show with the Women's Business Development Council (WBDC). |
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| It was an amazing Trails Day at Sheep Farm in Groton! Thank you Groton Open Space Association- GOSA and Groton Public Schools for hosting a great day of hiking for the public! Lola and I had a great time! |
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WATER QUALITY MONITORS WANTED
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| Are you interested in becoming a water quality monitor? Clean Up Sound & Harbors (CUSH) is looking for two to five older teens or adults to volunteer every other week from now through October at Palmer Cove to advance area water quality improvements. |
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Here’s what you need to know:
- Sampling happens within 90 minutes of sunrise
- Testing is from shore
- Full process takes about two hours
Tasks include:
- Pick-up supplies
- Record weather conditions
- Prep containers
- Use weighted line to determine water depth
- Collect samples and record data
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| If you’re interested or have questions, email CUSH Board member Fran Pijar by clicking here or call (860) 912-8714. You can also send Jack Leary an email here or call (860) 319-7568. |
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| HYDRANT FLUSHING SCHEDULE |
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| Groton Utilities and Aquarion Water are conducting their water main flushing and testing programs. All Groton Utilities customers should expect intermittent intervals of water discoloration during the water main flushing process. House of flushing are from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. That work is expected to completed by June 16 (weather permitting). |
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