Gregg Haddad

Dear Neighbor:

We had a productive week at the Capitol, including the passage of two small, but important bills out of the Higher Education Committee, of which I am chair. I'm proud to say both bills passed without a dissenting vote. 

The first, HB7095, requires the University of Connecticut to form an action plan to become a member of an association of research universities. The measure is a step in having UConn become more financially independent. Such associations can assist in UConn receiving funding through grants.

The second, HB7098, expands the eligibility of the student protection account for the recently closed Stone Academy.

Neither bill requires funding from the state budget.

The House passed a number of bills during three session days this past week, including HB 5004, An Act Concerning the Protection of the Environment and the Development of Renewable Energy Sources and Associated Job Sectors.

As our state is increasingly feeling the impacts of climate change, it is the legislature's job to enact meaningful change for the safety of our residents and to emerge as a leader on climate solutions.

This bill takes a comprehensive, practical, and equitable approach to protecting our environment - from homes and schools to jobs and land. It sets clear goals, removes barriers, and puts people and sustainability first, all through the lens of affordability.

Key provisions of the bill include:

• Setting new goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions—including an economy-wide net-zero target by 2050—without imposing costs on ratepayers
• Supporting clean energy jobs and businesses through tax incentives, rebates, and a council to guide workforce transitions
• Developing strategic plans and expanding access to clean technologies
• Expanding loan and grant programs to include more climate-smart projects and ensuring funds benefit low-income residents and renters
• Developing plans that address the triple impact of reducing energy costs, lowering emissions, and supporting climate resilience
• Encouraging nature based solutions for reaching our greenhouse gas reduction and other climate goals

HB 5004 is a wide-ranging measure that focuses on affordability, energy efficiency, and developing a clean economy, and I was proud to cast my vote in favor.

The bill must now pass the Senate and be signed into law by the governor.

Other bills that passed include the following:

• House Bill 7081: An Act Concerning Licensure Portability for Marriage and Family Therapists to help address the severe mental health workforce shortage in our state
• House Bill 7102:  An Act Concerning Maternal and Infant Health Care to develop a strategic plan to increase the number of birth centers and birthing hospitals in the state and expand the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative’s (CFI) objectives to include expanding fathers’ role in supporting maternal health.
• House Bill 7042: An Act Concerning Implementation of the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act which acts to create greater gun safety by allowing victims of violence who are harmed by irresponsible actions by gun manufacturers, gun dealers and gun sellers to file suit against those entities.
• House Bill 6442: An Act Concerning Military Affairs in Connecticut or the HERO Act, which will better serve our veterans and military personnel in various ways, including naming November as Veterans Month, creating new commemorative license plates, honoring women and Puerto Rican veterans, and making it easier for military families to transfer schools (see the graphic below).

On Wednesday I joined fellow members of the newly formed House Democrats Blue Collar Caucus, which is focused on the issues that matter most to Connecticut’s working and middle-class residents.
I am proud to be a member of a group of legislators that supports:

• job training opportunities that help people climb the economic ladder,
• smart policies that protect people in the workplace,
• tax policy that puts hardworking middle- and working-class residents first.

We stand against corporate greed, monopolies, and price gouging that have affected so many Connecticut residents, from housing and rental costs to prices at the grocery store, medical costs, and more. We are pro-worker, pro-union, and stand with nurses and hospital staff, teachers and school staff, first responders, construction workers, tradesmen, and many others who work hard to make ends meet, put food on the table, and fight for a slice of the American Dream — a dream that often seems harder and harder to reach.

The Budget Annual Meeting for Region 19 (Edwin O. Smith High School) FY 2025/26 Budget will take place tonight, Monday, May 5, at 7 p.m.  The meeting will be held in the E.O. Smith Media Center.

All voters from Mansfield, Ashford, and Willington are encouraged to attend.

The Budget Referendum for the Region 19 FY 2025/26 Budget will be held on Tuesday, May 6.  Voting in Mansfield takes place at one polling location: Town Council Chambers, Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building (Mansfield Town Hall) from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.  

Details on the proposed budget are available at https://www.eosmith.org/about/district/board_of_education/budget_information

Paper copies are also available at the Region 19 Superintendent's office.

As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to my office.

Sincerely,

Gregg Haddad