Lower Electric Bills & Closing Homeschooling Loopholes

April 24, 2026

There are less than two weeks left in a rapidly moving legislative session. Please read below for a breakdown of some of the priority bills we passed this week.

And, I have great news to share on your electric bill. Prices are going down soon. How much relief can you expect? I'll answer that question below. 

Here are the sections and topics in this week's email:

  • Lower Electric Bills
  • Closing Homeschooling Loopholes
  • Vaccine Bill Heads To Governor's Desk
  • Expanding Access To Voting
  • National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
  • Opportunities to Celebrate Earth Day
  • Derby Events Calendar
  • Upcoming Events in Hamden
  • Orange Events Calendar
  • Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
 

Lower Electric Bills

Good news! Beginning May 1, you will get some welcome relief on your electric bill thanks to a new deal involving the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).

On average:

  • United Illuminating customers will save about $34 per month
  • Eversource customers will save about $30 per month

These savings are largely driven by lower public benefits costs, which, thanks to legislation we passed, will now be a credit on ratepayers’ bills. 

The lower rates are expected to remain in place through at least September for most households. This is a big step forward in making energy more affordable for Connecticut families!
Click here for more ways to save
 

Closing Homeschooling Loopholes

In recent years, a handful of child abusers have exploited loopholes in Connecticut’s homeschooling laws resulting in horrific crimes of abuse, kidnapping, and homicide.

In response, we’ve advanced legislation setting up some common sense procedures while balancing the rights and privacy of the parents who are responsibly educating their children. This bill:

  • Creates an annual form for all students to indicate whether a child will be attending a private school, public school, or be homeschooled
  • Requires schools to check Department of Children and Families (DCF) records to confirm whether there are any open investigations currently happening and if anyone over the age of 18 residing in the household is on the Central Registry for abuse or neglect prior to a child being withdrawn from school

This bill closes critical loopholes and protects our children, all while respecting the parents who are homeschooling the right way. The Senate has until May 6 to act on the bill.
 

Vaccine Bill Heads To Governor's Desk

This week, the House and Senate passed House Bill 5044, which makes vaccines more accessible, more affordable, and it will keep our communities healthier. This bill helps ensure that families can stay up to date on recommended immunizations, protecting children, seniors, and vulnerable residents.

In the past, Connecticut's vaccine policies and standards were tied to the expert recommendations developed by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC). Unfortunately, the CDC has recently abandoned its standing as the premier resource of medicine and science guidelines. 

Our bill seeks to update Connecticut's vaccine policies, without any new mandates, based on science, not political agendas.

The bill will:

  • Allow the Connecticut Department of Public Health to promote COVID and flu vaccines
  • Require private insurance companies to cover the cost of your vaccinations
  • Allow Connecticut to buy vaccines from suppliers other than the CDC
  • Establish an adult vaccine program for uninsured and under-insured individuals
  • Tighten loopholes around unvaccinated children and public schools

Keeping vaccination rates strong is one of the most effective ways we can safeguard public health, reduce preventable illness, and support healthier communities statewide. 

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature. 
 

Expanding Access To Voting

Connecticut House Democrats also passed legislation to make sure our 2026 elections are free and fair. We took steps to:

  • Modernize our absentee ballot laws and vote counting procedures
  • Create more safeguards to ensure your vote counts
  • Protect our elections from corrupt outside forces

Additionally, we’ll empower the Attorney General to prevent people from interfering with our elections, among other provisions.
 

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

As you begin spring cleaning, clearing out old medications is an essential step toward a refreshed and safe home. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, administered by the DEA, will take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. This event provides residents with a free, anonymous, and convenient way to safely dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications. 

Here are the closest disposal locations to your neighborhood:

Derby: 

  • Bradley School
  • 155 David Humphreys Road
  • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hamden:

  • Hamden Police Department
  • 2900 Dixwell Avenue
  • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Orange: 

  • High Plains Community Center
  • 525 Orange Center Road
  • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Woodbridge:

  • Woodbridge Police Department
  • 4 Meetinghouse Lane
  • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
 

Opportunities to Celebrate Earth Day
The community will come together next week for Earth Day to promote environmental protection, raise awareness for climate action, fight pollution, and promote green energy.
 
Earth Day is also an opportunity to reflect on the small, everyday choices we can each make from reducing waste and conserving energy to supporting local sustainability efforts that collectively create meaningful change.

You will have an opportunity to join the movement at a couple of Earth Day events on Saturday, April 25. In Hamden, organizers are planning exhibits, workshops, garden tours, and more to educate and inspire folks of all ages. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Woodbridge will host a similar celebration, featuring education displays along with an electric car show, a gently used clothing drive to promote reuse and recycling, a poetry reading, and more family-friendly activities. There will also be a community cleanup on Sunday, April 26. You will find more details here.

I encourage everyone to participate in these events and commit to building a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for our communities.
 

Derby Events Calendar

Check out the events and community calendar in Derby below.

Derby Public Library invites babies and their caregivers to Little Sprouts Storytime at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 17. Click here to register.

You have an opportunity to learn about and search for frogs at Kellogg Environmental Center. A guide will host the free event on Tuesday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m. Dress for the weather and muddy conditions. CLICK HERE to register.

The Valley Shakespeare Festival has taken on the ambitious Julius Caesar.  Set in the world of sports, this new innovative production imagines the drama of Julius Caesar unfolding in a sports arena, where rivalries, ambition, and betrayal feel right at home. The show will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 at the Kellogg Environmental Center. CLICK HERE to reserve your seat.
Connecticut Foodshare will give away free food to the community on Tuesday, May 5 from 2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church on Elizabeth Street. Organizers will hand out tickets at 2 p.m. to everyone in line. Make sure to bring your own bag for the food.
Derby Community Calendar
 

Upcoming Events in Hamden

Look at the flyers below to learn more about the upcoming events in Hamden.

The Hamden Symphony Orchestra is hosting its Spring Concert, “Making an Entrance,” on Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Hamden Memorial Town Hall. No tickets are required, but organizers will accept a suggested $15 donation ($10 for students and seniors).

Four of Connecticut’s most talented student instrumental and vocal musicians will make their entrance with the Orchestra as the winners of Hamden Symphony’s 56th Young Musicians Concerto Competition.
More Hamden Events
 

Orange Events Calendar

Check out the flyers and community calendar in Orange below.
The Orange Historical Society will host a 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution event on Saturday, April 25 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Orange Congregational Church. The program includes a "show and tell" of revolutionary artifacts, a talk on colonial flags, and insights into the life of a Connecticut soldier. Tickets are $5 for each person over the age of 5. CLICK HERE to register.
Orange Community Calendar
 

Upcoming Events in Woodbridge

Take a look at the upcoming events to see what’s happening in Woodbridge.
Woodbridge Community Calendar