| Danbury Day at the Capitol |
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Danbury was in the House on Tuesday… and in the Senate and every hall of the Capitol! 
Business owners, advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations, Danbury High students and teachers, and elected officials, all representing the very best our city has to offer. Danbury’s voice has never echoed louder than with Mayor Roberto Alves leading the way, along with Sen. Julie Kushner, and my representative colleagues fighting for Danbury every day!
I greeted Mayor Roberto Alves and members of his staff at City Hall (including me) on the House floor. Watch the video below. |
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| Labor Protection Bill Passes |
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Huge victory in the House this week with the passage of HB 5003, the labor omnibus priority bill.
I'm proud to say the bill includes a section I worked hard on by ensuring fair pay practices, increased protections and safer working conditions for workers across industries — especially those in high-risk or subcontracted roles.
The bill also includes expanded support for police, firefighters, and veterans. That includes state-backed health insurance for families of fallen volunteer firefighters and state marshals, mortgage assistance for first responders, and stronger recruitment and training efforts. We’re also building on successful partnerships between law enforcement and mental health professionals, improving access to jobs and benefits for veterans, and creating new tuition assistance opportunities for those serving here at home.
Nurses and teachers will have better safeguards if they’re injured on the job, including help covering lost wages and expenses. Paraeducators will have greater financial stability and we’re also ensuring workplace standards keep pace with modern needs, including guaranteed break time for nursing mothers.
Additionally, we’re helping employers build stronger workplaces by investing in workforce development. From training programs for certified nurse assistants to better coordination between educators and industry, these efforts are designed to connect people to good-paying jobs while helping businesses grow.
The bill also includes stipulations for virtual monitoring in home care, increased penalties for noncompliance with staffing requirements in hospitals, and mandates for remote work during inclement weather.
This bill was intended to create safer and more equitable work environments and support the needs of several employee groups across Connecticut. We think it does. For a closer look at the legislation, please click HERE.
This is about standing with the people who serve and support our state — and making sure Connecticut continues to work for them. |
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| Banking Consumer Protections |
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HB 5208 may not be the flashiest bill, but it’s the kind of common sense legislation that makes a real difference, protecting your money, your information, and your peace of mind.
Bipartisan, practical, and focused on protecting you.
Shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, I had the opportunity to take this bill out on the House floor and walk my colleagues through its key provisions.
After a thoughtful debate, it passed with strong bipartisan support.
The bill strengthens consumer protections in our banking system by:
- Requiring stronger data security standards for financial institutions to better safeguard your personal information
- Creating two working groups to tackle consumer fraud and examine delays in payroll check deposits
- Clarifying mortgage loan definitions so consumers receive proper notices, especially in situations involving flood damage
Grateful for the support from colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Good policy + Good debate = Good bill, ought to pass!
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| Nights with Neighbors Gala |
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Organizations like Ability Beyond are what make Danbury so special, empowering individuals with disabilities and strengthening our entire community.
It was great to be at the Nights with Neighbors Gala, where the Danbury community was honored with the Robert S. Young Humanitarian Award.
Moments like this reflect the generosity and compassion that define our community, with so many stepping up to support this important mission, including friend like George Mulvaney.
We’re truly fortunate, and blessed, to have Ability Beyond right here in Danbury, making a difference every single day. |
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| Congrats to Charter Oak Brewing! |
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Cheers to 15 years of great beer, great people, and even better memories! 
Happy to celebrate this milestone with Charter Oak Brewing Company, a go-to place in our community where friends gather, stories are shared, and good times are always on tap.
Honored to join State Senator Julie Kushner in presenting an official state citation to my friends Scott and Michelle. And let me tell you, when the crowd erupts in a thunderous ovation, you know you’ve built something special.
Here’s to 15 incredible years, and many more ahead. Keep pouring, keep growing, and keep bringing people together. |
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There’s just something about Opening Day that brings everyone together!
Wishing these young athletes a great year ahead. Proud to see the funding I secured for Danbury Youth Baseball in the past making a real impact, and I’m committed to bringing even more resources home to keep investing in our kids, our fields, and the future of this program.
Big shoutout to DYB Board President Sean Richardson, Tony Gervasio, and all the volunteers who make this program possible year after year. |
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| Solving a Puzzle for Autism Awareness |
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BIG shoutout to Ryan Fucci for bringing the very first Puzzles 5K to life at Hatters Park!
What started as a conversation after meeting the Mayor at the San Gennaro Festival last year turned into something truly special. Ryan shared a vision, to create a 5K that raises awareness for autism, and he and his team delivered beyond expectations.
700 runners and walkers, dozens of vendors, a full fun zone for kids, even a petting zoo. An incredible turnout and an even greater cause.
A fantastic community effort to raise awareness, connect families with resources, and show what’s possible when passion meets purpose. These are the kind of events we want and need more of! |
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Clean City Danbury Day was a true success.
Incredible turnout at St. Gregory the Great Church and throughout the city. Neighbors, families, and volunteers all showing up for each other and this community. Grateful to everyone who stepped up, not just to care for their own homes, but to take pride in our entire city.
Special shoutout to the city’s Public Works team who work so hard and to Interstate Waste Services for their generosity.
This is what community looks like. |
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| Dad/Daughter Date at Gisella's |
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Daddy-daughter date night at a neighborhood favorite — Gisella's Ristorante.
Always consistently great food, top-tier service, and the kind of place where you walk in and know half the room. And let’s be honest … who doesn’t love the owner, Gisella? |
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| Meeting the Pembroke Positivity Crew |
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Was invited to speak with the Pembroke Positivity Crew at the school for National Student Leadership Week, and I walked away seriously impressed. These students are sharp. The questions they asked about teamwork, collaboration, and leadership weren’t surface-level, they showed real thought, maturity, and a genuine understanding of what it means to lead.
I was a peer mediator back in middle school, and experiences like this make it clear how far we’ve come in building student leadership and voice in our schools.
At the end, a young student told me he liked my Connecticut-shaped American flag pin. And now it’s his. Proud of these students, and proud that my daughter is thriving in our public schools. |
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Sincerely,
Farley Santos |
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