Updates from State Rep. Nick Gauthier for April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026

Spring has arrived, and so have the session days, which will come fast and furious over the next few weeks.

In this eblast, learn more about the following:

my visit to Bay Point Apartments;
legislative work at the Capitol;
CCADV recognition;
Safe Futures CEO receiving a well-deserved honor;
... and more!

Bay Point Apartments Tenants Union

I visited Bay Point Apartments in Niantic last week to stand with residents who are fighting back against intimidation from their landlord, Alpha Capital.

During my tour of the building which Alpha Capital only recently purchased, I was disturbed by several things.

Demanding $2,500/month from 60-, 70-, and 80-year-old retirees for apartments that are no more than 1,000 sq. ft. is disturbing and exploitative.

Not fixing the heat and leaking hot water heaters in residents’ units for weeks on end during winter months forcing residents to have to turn to individual plug in electric heaters, is disturbing in the risk Alpha Capital is imposing upon the residents.

Installing individual water metering for each unit in order to decouple and charge for water costs separately from rent for the first time in the building’s history is disturbing in Alpha Capital’s blatant greed.

And last of all, as directly observed when visiting the units of my friends who are tenants, it was particularly disturbing to have Alpha Capital staff follow us, loom over our visit, and harass residents through the halls of their own homes.

Alpha Capital is abusing Bay Point residents and trying to create oppressive living conditions to intimidate residents into leaving. This much is obvious from what I observed during my visit to the homes of the residents of Bay Point Apartments.

Legislative Work

We met for two sessions last week and passed several bills, including:

House Bill 5039: An Act Requiring Transparency and Additional Oversight of the Distribution of Certain Legislatively Directed Funds Sets up rules for state agencies to monitor funds given to specific entities, ensuring proper use and capacity.
House Bill 5125: An Act Concerning Entertainment Event Tickets Seeks to regulate ticket resellers by setting specific contractual and online sales requirements, including mandatory refunds for cancelled events.
House Bill 5406: An Act Concerning Various Measures Honoring the Heroism of Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces Seeks to recognize and honor the, heroic wartime service of certain veterans and reserve members of the armed forces.
House Bill 5336: An Act Concerning Advanced Nuclear Energy Evaluates workforce requirements for advanced nuclear technologies.

The next few weeks will really heat up, starting with at least four session days next week, Monday through Thursday.

Congratulations, Katherine Verano!

Katherine G. Verano, CEO of Safe Futures, was named the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut's 75th Citizen of the Year. For more than three decades, she has championed survivor‑centered, trauma‑informed solutions for victims of abuse — strengthening systems, partnerships, and pathways to safety for individuals and their children, pets, and families across Eastern Connecticut while helping build safer, more stable futures for our community.

She will be honored on May 15 at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor and recognition than Katherine Verano. She is an asset to our community and a safe anchor for those in need.

I met with Ms. Verano and her Safe Futures team to discuss critical issues involving victims of abuse.

Thank you, Ms. Verano for all that you give.

CCADV Recognition

I am honored to share that I have been recognized by the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) as part of the First 100 Plus Class of 2026. This recognition highlights the work of community leaders across Connecticut working to improve the lives of domestic violence survivors and their families.

Our work is not done, and I will continue working to ensure survivors have the support they need and access to services here in Manchester and across the state.

Domestic violence impacts families and communities across Connecticut. Survivors deserve to know that they are not alone and that help is available in their community. At a time when many organizations are facing funding and grant cuts, it is more important than ever that we protect and strengthen resources available to those in need. No survivor should ever be left behind.

I am deeply grateful to CCADV for this recognition and for their continued leadership in supporting survivors and working to prevent domestic violence across our state.

Domestic Violence Resources

CT Safe Connect – If you or someone you know needs help, you can reach out for help online, call, or text. Visit their website, or call/text 888-774-2900
DCF - Intimate Partner Violence Hotlines
- 888-774-2900 (English)
- 844-831-9200 (Español)

If you, or a close loved one, need assistance connecting with resources or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.

Friends of State Parks Day

During the recent Friends of Connecticut State Parks Day, at the State Capitol, it was great to see representatives from Friends of Harkness Memorial State Park.

The park is a critical landmark for our area that brings in thousands of visitors to our district each year.

To wit, the FOHMSP Garden Volunteers planted 2,000 pansies on April 15.

I want to thank the FOHMSP for their support of our local communities in Eastern CT!

'Reading Wars' Screening

Last week I attended "Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars" Film Screening & Panel Discussion with fellow legislators.

Filmmaker Harvey Hubbell V follows a class of first-grade students over the course of a year as they learn to read using a new literacy approach. The film captures the challenges, breakthroughs, and transformative moments that define early reading development.

The documentary sheds light on systemic issues, longstanding misconceptions about how children learn to read, and the key decision-makers whose policies and practices have shaped the current landscape.

"Hopeville" offers a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of America’s literacy crisis. At its core, the film highlights the promise of Structured Literacy — an evidence-based approach that emphasizes phonics, decoding, and language comprehension — as a solution to closing the reading gap.

With a particular focus on underserved communities, the documentary demonstrates how effective instruction can change the trajectory of young learners, opening doors to academic success and lifelong opportunity.

"Hopeville" challenges audiences to rethink literacy education and consider what it will take to ensure that every child has the chance to become a confident reader.

According to the Nation's Report Card (NAEP):

Connecticut ranks 8th in the nation in 4th-grade reading;
Nearly two-thirds of children are not proficient readers by fourth grade a critical milestone where students transition from learning to read to reading to learn; and
Connecticut is a Top 10 state in 4th-grade reading which means 64% of children are already behind by fourth grade, which isn’t a low-performing state problem, it’s a system-wide crisis
In the end: Only 1 in 3 kids can read at grade level.

TVCCA's 60th Anniversary

I recently joined friends, colleagues, and community leaders to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Thames Valley Council for Community Action in the Eolia Mansion at Harkness Memorial Park.

TVCCA is an anchor of our community in Eastern Connecticut, offering 34 programs that support childhood development, employment training, senior nutrition, energy assistance, emergency housing and more.

Join me in thanking TVCCA for their six decades of service to our region, consider donating to their efforts, and/or volunteering with their organization!

Kickball Classic: Majority Rules!

CGA Dems win our annual kickball game again!! Our freshman class is 2-for-2!!

Congratulations to the United Way of Connecticut on a successful fundraiser! Thank you to all who came out to donate! And thank you for all you do for our state!

MAJORITY RULES!!

Waterford Blood Drive

Waterford will hold a blood drive in the Town Hall Auditorium on April 17 from noon to 5:30 p.m. Call 1-800-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org with code WaterfordCT to schedule an appointment.

Montville Sewer Rate Public Hearing

Montville will hold a public hearing on Monday, May 4 at 5:45 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers to consider a proposed increase in sewer use rates for metered and unmetered users. The proposed quarterly increase would raise rates by approximately $20 per quarter. Residents are encouraged to attend and offer comment.

Montville Sewer Rate Public Hearing

Montville will hold a public hearing on Monday, May 4, at 5:45 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers to consider a proposed increase in sewer use rates for metered and unmetered users. The proposed quarterly increase would raise rates by approximately $20 per quarter. Residents are encouraged to attend and offer comment.

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office at 860-240-8727 or by email at Nick.Gauthier@cga.ct.gov. And "Like" and follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.