Josh Elliott

On Tuesday, I stood alongside advocates, fellow legislators, and public health experts to urge Connecticut to deepen its commitment to harm reduction at a pivotal moment in the opioid crisis. While our state has made meaningful progress, evidenced by a decline in overdose deaths, the reality remains stark: more than two Connecticut residents still lose their lives to overdoses every single day.

This moment demands urgency, resolve, and compassion. As Connecticut continues to explore and implement new strategies to address this crisis, we must also strengthen and expand the tools that are proven to save lives. Harm reduction is not just a policy choice, it is a public health imperative that meets people where they are and keeps communities safer. 

Now is the time to build on our progress and invest more boldly in solutions that prevent tragedy before it strikes. Every life lost is a family shattered, a future cut short, and a reminder that our work is far from over. Together, we can move closer to a future where fewer families have to endure this pain, and where recovery and hope are within reach for all.

The state is making $15 million available through the national settlement of the Volkswagen emissions scandal to support clean air projects across Connecticut. Eligible projects must reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, key contributors to smog, and help advance the state’s efforts to combat air pollution.

Older diesel engines are a major source of nitrogen oxide, which is linked to asthma, lung damage, and other serious health conditions, with children particularly at risk. Funding will prioritize projects that replace, repower, or retrofit aging diesel-powered vehicles and non-road equipment, significantly reducing harmful emissions.

Organizations interested in applying for grants can learn more through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). DEEP will also host an informational webinar on Tuesday, April 21 at 1:00 p.m. to review the application process and provide guidance. Proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on June 11. Click here to register for the webinar.

Click here for more information on the VW settlement.

Join me on Thursday, April 23 at 10:00 a.m. on the North Steps of the Connecticut State Capitol for the Grandparents Visitation Rights Rally.

The rally will highlight ongoing efforts to ease legal barriers that grandparents face in maintaining meaningful relationships with their grandchildren. Advocates are calling for changes to current law, which requires grandparents to demonstrate both a “parent-like relationship” with the child and that denial of visitation would cause “real and significant harm.”

Supporters emphasize that these proposed changes are not only about grandparents’ rights, but about protecting children. Advocates argue that grandparents can play a critical role in identifying and preventing harm before it escalates.

April is recognized as ABLE to Save Month in Connecticut, a time to raise awareness about financial empowerment for individuals with disabilities. The ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program allows eligible individuals to establish tax-advantaged savings accounts that support greater independence and long-term financial security.

Recent expansions have broadened access to the program, making thousands more residents, including veterans, eligible by increasing the disability onset age to 46. ABLE accounts allow individuals to save more than $20,000 annually without jeopardizing eligibility for critical federal benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid, providing a vital pathway to stability, opportunity, and self-sufficiency.

Click here for more information on eligibility requirements and to enroll.

This is a time for advocates, survivors, their loved ones, and the broader community to come together to speak openly about sexual violence by supporting survivors, raising awareness, deepening understanding, and identifying effective strategies and resources to prevent it.

If you need support, The Connecticut Alliance to end Sexual Violence offers a 24-hour toll-free hotline, call 1-888-999-5545 (English) or
1-888-568-8332 (Spanish).

The Envelope Initiative is designed to support individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities during traffic stops or emergencies. These free envelopes can hold identification, important documents, and personalized notes to help first responders better understand your needs, reducing confusion and creating safer, more respectful interactions.

The envelope is available at local DMVs, police departments, and community centers. It's voluntary and easy to use while promoting understanding, trust, and safety for everyone.

Click here to take the Traffic Safety Community Meeting survey.
 

Click here to take the Newhall Foundations Repair survey.