Senator McCrory Votes to Give Legislature a Voice in How to Invest Federal COVID-19 Aid for Connecticut
Today, State Senator Doug McCrory (D-Hartford) joined his Democratic colleagues in the state Senate to vote in support of a bill that will give the legislative branch of government a voice in how Connecticut will invest $2.6 billion in federal COVID-19 aid and also require Governor Ned Lamont to provide lawmakers with the details of how he has spent similar federal aid to date.
House Bill 6555, “AN ACT CONCERNING LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT AND APPROVAL OF COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS,” passed the Senate today unanimously and now heads to Gov. Lamont for his signature.
“The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are felt across Connecticut, especially on our students and in communities of color. The federal funds provided by the American Rescue Plan are a lifeline for families, small businesses, and schools,” said Sen. McCrory. “Even more, it is an opportunity for the state to chart a plan for how these funds can invest in and grow opportunity in communities so there is an equitable recovery throughout Connecticut. The passage of this bill ensures the communities I represent and hear from have a voice at the table on how these funds can build opportunity that will uplift them and their families.”
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was proposed by President Joe Biden and passed only with the votes of Democrats in Congress, brings a total of $6 billion in federal aid to Connecticut to be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- $1.1 billion for local school districts
- $370 million for higher education
- $1.56 billion for cities, towns, and regional organizations
- $2.6 billion for state government
- $140 million for capital projects and workforce development
- $240 million for rental assistance
- $90 million for heating and energy assistance
- $300 million for childcare services
- $50 million for mental health grants
- $11 million for home-delivered meals
The Act prohibits states, cities and towns from using the money to reduce taxes or apply it toward pension debt.
HB 6555 requires Gov. Lamont to give lawmakers a plan for investing the state portion of the new federal funds by April 26; the legislature’s Appropriations Committee then has until May 16 to create its own plan for the federal funding. The two plans will then be subject to final negotiations between legislative leaders and the executive branch.
Public Health Committee Co-Chairs Sen. Daugherty Abrams, Rep. Steinberg and Bridgeport NAACP Chapter President Rev. D. Stanley Lord Held Press Conference to Discuss Fiscal, Public Health Benefits of a Ban on the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products
Public Health Committee Co-Chairs Sen. Daugherty Abrams, Rep. Steinberg and Bridgeport NAACP Chapter President Rev. D. Stanley Lord Held Press Conference to Discuss Fiscal, Public Health Benefits of a Ban on the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products
HARTFORD, CT – Today, Public Health Committee Co-Chairs state Senator Mary Daugherty Abrams (D- Meriden, Middlefield, Rockfall, Middletown, Cheshire), state Representative Jonathan Steinberg (D-Westport) and Reverend D. Stanley Lord, Bridgeport Chapter President of the NAACP held a press conference to discuss the fiscal and public health benefits of enacting Senate Bill (SB) 326, which is a total ban on the sale of all flavored tobacco products. Similar efforts have garnered attention across the country.
“We know the long-term public health and fiscal costs of doing nothing far outweigh the costs associated with banning these harmful products,” said Sen. Daugherty Abrams. “As we continue to face the hardships and loss brought on by the global pandemic, it should be clear to all that it is counterproductive to place a price on preserving and protecting the public’s health. After successfully passing Tobacco 21 in 2019, we must take the next step on reducing addictions to tobacco products for the health of our residents and communities.”
“It’s no wonder that the industry needs flavors to mask the harsh and destructive effects of their smoking and vaping products. They seduce the uninitiated into beginning what may become a lifelong addiction,” said Rep. Steinberg. “These are not beneficial products and the public health is best served by eliminating the temptation from the marketplace. That’s what we intend to do.”
“The tobacco industry has targeted Black and Brown communities with menthol flavored products for more than 50 years, and the results have been devastating,” said Rev. Lord. “And now some people are saying we should keep selling these products because the state might lose money? Or that a local gas station might lose some sales? How much longer will we trade the lives of our black and brown youth to keep older smokers addicted and pad the profits of corporate America, the tobacco industry, and the state’s budget? If Black lives matter, and I believe they do, then we must stop the predatory targeting of our people and all children with these products, and there’s no better time to do it.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking-related illness in the country costs, “more than $300 billion each year, including nearly $170 million for direct medical care for adults.” The CDC’s report continues, “More than $156 billion is lost in productivity, including $5.6 billion in lost productivity due to secondhand smoke exposure. The CDC also noted that state spending on tobacco prevention and control “does not meet CDC-recommended levels.” This is due to the billions of dollars from taxes placed on tobacco products and money from lawsuits against cigarette companies that is not applied to cessation and prevention. According to the CDC, not only do all states fall short of CDC-recommended levels of funding for prevention and cessation, Connecticut is the only state that gives no state funding for “prevention and quit-smoking programs.”
Action, such as enacting SB 326, is needed as tobacco companies continue the practice of using flavored products to attract kids and menthol cigarettes to attract the Black community. According to the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey, youth usage of electronic cigarettes continues to be a public health crisis with 3.6 million youth still using e-cigarettes. As reported in JAMA, 81% of youth who have ever used tobacco of any kind started with a flavored product. Regarding the tobacco industry’s targeting of the Black Community, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 85% of Black smokers use menthol tobacco products compared to the less than 10% that did in the 1950s. Additionally, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death among Black Americans, claiming 45,000 lives per year, per the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. All of Connecticut’s neighbors (MA, RI, NY and NJ) have already banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. Massachusetts, California, and over 100 cities nationwide have banned the sale of all flavored tobacco products including menthol cigarettes.
On March 5, SB 326 was passed out of the Public Health Committee by a 25-8 tally. If enacted, beginning October 1 of 2021, no distributor or dealer shall sell, offer for sale, display for sale or possess with intent to sell any flavored tobacco product or electronic nicotine delivery system. The penalty for such a violation shall be $300 and, for a second violation that occurs within 36 months of the date of the first violation $750. For a third violation within 36 months of the date of the first violation, the penalty shall be a civil penalty of $1000, suspension of the license of the distributor or dealer for not less than 30 days and possible revocation the distributor or dealer’s license. For a fourth violation within 36 months of the first violation, the commissioner shall revoke any license held by the distributor or dealer.
Electric Vehicle Supporters Rally for Legislation Allowing Direct Sales from Manufacturers
Electric Vehicle Supporters Rally for Legislation Allowing Direct Sales from Manufacturers
WESTPORT — Today, a coalition of supporters of electric vehicles joined together at the Westport Train Station in support of legislation that would allow direct vehicle sales from manufacturers to consumers in Connecticut, as current statutes require a prospective electric vehicle owner to travel out of state to make a purchase from a manufacturer specializing in electric production. State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport), State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), State Representative Jonathan Steinberg (D-Westport), former State Senator Art Linares, EV Club CT leader Barry Kresch, Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe, Lucid Motors head of communications Jeff Curry, Rivian Manager of Public Policy, League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Lori Brown and IBEW Union 488 Business Manager Daniel McInerney were among the dozens of supporters on location at the train station, as were Tesla and Lucid electric vehicles.
Those gathered did so in support of Senate Bill 127, “An Act Concerning The Sale of Electric Vehicles In The State,” which seeks to permit electric vehicle manufacturers to sell electric vehicles directly to consumers. Sen. Haskell, Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, and Rep. Steinberg, a member of that committee, co-introduced the legislation. Citing statewide goals of reaching certain levels of electric vehicle operation, also aware that as of 2019, as many as three-fourths of car dealerships did not sell electric vehicles at all, the legislators seek to provide consumers with increased choice and opportunity.
“You can’t buy a Tesla, Lucid or Rivian without going to another state to make that purchase. I think Connecticut should do everything it can to make it easier to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle, but instead our laws make it harder,” said Sen. Haskell. “I know that the next generation is looking to Hartford, wondering if we will step up for clean air and our natural environment. Let’s let consumers decide whether they want to buy from a car dealership or directly from an EV manufacturer. Dozens of other states have already tried this, and increased competition didn’t just lead to more EV sales and more EVs on the road, but it led to more jobs for dealerships and EV manufacturers alike. It’s time to pass this bill.”
“Our EV club is a consumer-facing organization, and Senate Bill 127, or the EV Freedom Bill, as we refer to it, puts consumers first,” said Kresch. “It would allow them to buy the electric vehicle that best suits their needs and lifestyles, wherever they want to buy it, and would be able to do so in Connecticut. No less than the Federal Trade Commission has written about direct sales; they have traced evolutions of franchise laws and concluded protections expanded until they included outright bans on new car sales by anyone other than a dealer. Instead of protecting, they became protectionist. Our club is not anti-dealer and neither is this bill. As we have seen from data from the Acadia Center and the Automotive Dealers Association, there has been no impact on sales or employment in states permitting direct sales. SB 127 recognizes the industry is changing and Connecticut should change with it. The friction of the current environment is holding us back from hitting ambitious EV adoption goals the state has set for it; this bill will benefit consumers, the environment and bring new jobs into this state.”
“For a century, the future of the automobile was the internal combustion engine, but that time is coming to an end. The future is zero-emission vehicles like electric vehicles,” said Rep. Steinberg. “The industry is changing, and I know it’s very hard for auto dealers to face this kind of fundamental change. They have to make huge investments in their businesses and the community, and we honor that. We want to work with them to evolve the industry in a fashion where they will continue to prosper. We want to offer consumer choice. There will be a lot of people who want to go to a dealership; we also want to afford people choice to buy their car in the fashion they’re most comfortable with. The very nature of electric vehicles has changed how cars will be sold and serviced in the future. What’s going to happen is people will find their way to buy vehicles in the way best for them and our job is to facilitate that and offer consumer choice.”
“Westport has the highest number of registered electric vehicles per-capita in the state of Connecticut, so our community is very committed to this,” said First Selectman Marpe. “We have hybrid and electric vehicles in our police force activity and are committed to walking the walk as much as talking the talk. Our Sustainable Westport committee has been focused on making the environment better for well over a decade, and we hope to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The way we get there is more electric vehicles in our community. We have 600; we need to get to 6,000, and the way we can do that more easily is to have showrooms allowing us to see and purchase those vehicles in a local fashion. I’m a free markets guy, and I think competition is good for everyone. Dealerships will rise to the occasion and make sure they have electric vehicle alternatives to sell as well. This is one way we get to the answer we’re all trying to get to.”
“Choice is what consumers are wanting in electric vehicles and their own lives,” said Curry. “Having a choice of how you are able to buy and service that vehicle is so important. It’s about future-proofing, it’s about readiness for a new kind of technology for consumers and it’s about having choice for residents of Connecticut. This is about electrifying the future and giving more sustainable choices to consumers across the country and here in Connecticut.”
“We’re here to show our support for what really is a citizen-led campaign, and to thank legislators from both sides of the aisle who heard requests to make these vehicles available in their state,” said Monaghan. “Rivian, like Tesla and Lucid, is ready and willing to invest in Connecticut. We want to bring our products to market here. We’re an independent company of electric vehicles, namely trucks and SUVS, looking to replace some of the biggest polluters on the road. We are hopeful for the opportunity to invest in Connecticut.”
“We’ve seen that more and more electric vehicles are on our roads and highways,” said Sen. Duff. “People use them because they’re convenient, great for the environment and good for families. We want to give the public choice in purchasing the cars they want, and to purchase and service those cars in Connecticut. We want consumers to feel confident not just at the time of purchase but as they own the vehicles over time as well. I’d also like to mention Connecticut has 12,000 electric vehicles now and we want 500,000 by 2030. This is our moonshot, and we can do this provided we make laws that work for consumers and give them choices they want and the convenience they deserve.”
“From an environmental, clean energy, and economic perspective, anything that makes it easier for consumers to drive, purchase, and maintain an electric vehicle is good for Connecticut,” said Executive Director Brown. “Allowing direct sales of electric vehicles has overwhelming bi-partisan support among state lawmakers, and this is the year to get it done. CTLCV applauds Senator Haskell for pushing ahead with this important effort, and we commend the Governor for his leadership and commitment to clean transportation as an essential component of our climate change goals.”
“SB 127, if passed, will put more Electric Vehicles on the road more quickly lowering emissions and creating new jobs,” said McInerney. “Over the last six years, IBEW workers have earned over $200M working on Tesla projects – with another $200M currently in the bidding process. This bill will lead to enormous opportunity for the most extensively trained and most skilled IBEW members and all state residents by accelerating the pace of our Electric Vehicle infrastructure development in Connecticut.”
Public Safety Committee Sends Legislation Creating State Police Hate Crime, Extremist Investigative Unit to Senate Floor
Public Safety Committee Sends Legislation Creating State Police Hate Crime, Extremist Investigative Unit to Senate Floor
This week, the Public Safety and Security Committee advanced legislation that would establish an investigative unit in the Connecticut State Police to investigate hate crimes and criminal acts committed by extremist groups to the Senate floor. This legislation, moved forward by a 22-3 vote, is co-sponsored by State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), who was enthusiastic about the Committee’s decision to move it forward.
“I wish it weren’t so, but we have seen a rising trend of hate crimes across our country, and the FBI continues to warn of extremists capable of committing violence,” said Sen. Anwar. “We have seen the tragic consequences of leaving this trend unchecked in brutal events that have occurred across the country. As a result, we need to make sure the victims of these crimes can receive restitution – and just as importantly, we must do all we can to prevent and protect against future crimes. I’m encouraged to see the Public Safety Committee strongly favor this legislation and I look forward to fighting for it on the Senate floor. Our community is only as strong as our unity, and we must stand up against hate when it threatens to divide us.”
Senate Bill 122, “An Act Establishing A Unit Within The Division Of State Police To Investigate Hate Crimes And Criminal Acts Committed By Extremist Groups,” would establish a Hate Crimes and Extremist Group Investigative Unit within Connecticut State Police. That unit would prevent, investigate, detect and assist law enforcement concerning any alleged crime violating hate crime statutes or motivated by bigotry or bias, as well as investigate actions by any individual or group encouraging, condoning, justifying or supporting commission of violent crime to achieve political, ideological, religious, social or economic goals.
The unit would further compile, maintain and analyze data regarding these crimes and publish an annual report providing information about them. Law enforcement units would also submit reports to the Hate Crimes and Extremist Group Investigative Unit no more than 14 days after reports of hate crimes or extremist acts, and beginning in 2022, state police will develop a standardized form allowing such reports to be easily made.
According to FBI statistics, Connecticut saw 76 hate crimes reported in 2019, the most recent year in which data has been compiled. Of those hate crimes, 48 were directed against an individual’s race, ethnicity or ancestry, 16 involved an individual’s religion, 11 involved sexual orientation and one involved gender. A recent report from the Anti-Defamation League tracked 193 incidents of hate, extremism and anti-Semitism in Connecticut in 2019 and 2020, additionally noting the year saw the highest level of white supremacist propaganda circulated in the United States in decades.
Legislation Monitoring Winter Road Salt Application, Preventing Potential Well Degregation, Subject of Environment Committee Public Hearing
Legislation Monitoring Winter Road Salt Application, Preventing Potential Well Degregation, Subject of Environment Committee Public Hearing
Today, the Environment Committee held a public hearing to discuss legislation including one emphasizing responsible use of road salts and other sodium chloride. State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), a supporter of the legislation, was encouraged to hear constituents discuss it; in recent years, several constituents of his have reported sodium chloride caused severe degradation to home well systems, causing serious threats to health and home value and sometimes spurring serious expenses for homeowners.
“Beginning in 2019, my constituents raised alarm about the quality of their home well systems, and I learned that irresponsible application of road salts can potentially cause damage to home water systems, also potentially harming the quality of the water itself,” said Sen. Anwar. “It is encouraging to see this legislation be considered, especially as it has negatively impacted families, and may continue to do so if left unchecked. We owe it to our communities to reduce the effects road salt and sodium chloride can have on private wells and public drinking water.”
Senate Bill 1031, “An Act Concerning The Use Of Sodium Chloride To Mitigate Ice And Snow Accumulations,” is designed to provide means and incentives for commercial users of sodium chloride who mitigate ice and snow accumulation – in other words, workers who spread road salt and other preventatives during winter months – to responsibly use those resources. Among the ways it would do so is to create a new training program on “sustainable winter operations” for municipalities; annual certification on proper commercial application of road salts; and end potential liability for commercial applicators should they follow those established programs, among others.
In 2019, Sen. Anwar brought attention to this issue through a Hartford Courant editorial, inspired by his interactions with constituents who informed him of the issues they deal with. At least one family reported “overwhelming” amounts of sodium and chloride in home well water, making it unusable for most daily uses and causing permanent damage to water pipes in the home due to corrosion. Generally, Sen. Anwar wrote, snow management processes, mostly salt-based products, cause the issue, with amounts, consistency, timing and frequency of applications potentially making this issue worse, especially if storm drains are near a home’s well.
Senator Needleman Releases Statement in Response to Violence, Discrimination Against Asian-Americans
Senator Needleman Releases Statement in Response to Violence, Discrimination Against Asian-Americans
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) released the following statement in response to rising trends of violence and discrimination reported in the United States against Asian-Americans:
“The recent, tragic news of acts of violence and discrimination against Asian-Americans are the latest results of a horrific trend,” said Sen. Needleman. “We must all stand together and denounce acts of hate. America was built on diverse cultures coming together; we must come together now and fight racism and discrimination against our neighbors, friends and colleagues.”
East Windsor Delegation Disappointed by Abandoned East Windsor Casino Project
East Windsor Delegation Disappointed by Abandoned East Windsor Casino Project
Today, members of the East Windsor delegation including State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), State Representative Jaime Foster (D-East Windsor), State Representative Carol Hall (R-Enfield) and East Windsor First Selectman Jason E. Bowsza, expressed their disappointment at Thursday’s announcement of an agreement between Connecticut tribes and the Governor’s office that would expand casino play and availability in the state but abandons the planned East Windsor casino project in the process. The delegation expressed their dissatisfaction with what they see as East Windsor being left behind by the state, especially as the decision in question was made without their consultation. Members of the delegation seek a constructive conversation with stakeholders about the rationale that led to this decision.
“This agreement has positive factors for Connecticut, but it’s nothing but bad news for East Windsor,” said Sen. Anwar. “Two years after the East Windsor casino first received approval to move forward, for it to be abandoned is incredibly disappointing. The delegation is especially concerned that these decisions were made without receiving input from any East Windsor stakeholders, especially as the project has already broken ground. We are highly concerned and upset about this turn of events and hope to find a way to discuss the rationale behind these decisions from major stakeholders.”
“I’m disappointed to hear that Ellington and East Windsor will not receive the revenue that they were looking forward to acquiring,” said Rep. Foster. “However, I am optimistic that the East Windsor delegation and I can work with the governor’s office to find critically needed economic development opportunities in our community.”
“The recent decision to eliminate East Windsor as a potential location for a casino is very disappointing and comes at quite a surprise to me and my colleagues,” Rep. Hall said. “From the onset, both the town and state delegation have fully supported its construction and to have the governor’s office choose to eliminate this option without consulting local leaders or the municipal government is puzzling. I look forward to joining my fellow House and Senate representatives and sitting down with governor’s office to try and understand the motivation behind this sudden change in order to determine next steps for bringing a casino to the town.”
“Whatever the benefit of this new deal may be for the state, it is certainly a direct economic loss to the Town of East Windsor,” said Bowsza. “Most troubling is that this deal ties up nearly thirty acres of commercially-developable property located on a major highway and between two highway exits for ten years or more. This is a real handicap imposed on us by the state, and we certainly hope there will be some meaningful consideration in terms of providing additional, direct state revenue to the Town.”
Telehealth Legislation Passes Public Health Committee, Sent to House, Senate
Telehealth Legislation Passes Public Health Committee, Sent to House, Senate
Today, crucial legislation that could lead to future expansions of availability, service and effectiveness of telehealth services passed the Public Health Committee unanimously, receiving favorable reception and progressing to the House and Senate floors for further debate and potential approval. State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) was highly supportive of the Committee’s vote and pledged to support the legislation, noting the significant benefits of telehealth access expansion.
“Over the last year, our community has come to understand the critical importance of telehealth services,” said Sen. Haskell. “Extending coverage for telehealth will ensure that patients have the option to seek out healthcare in a manner that is convenient and safe. I was proud to cast my vote today, because I believe we need more options when it comes to healthcare, not fewer.”
House Bill 5596, “An Act Concerning Telehealth,” would task the Department of Public Health to study the benefits and implications of expanding telehealth services in the state, reporting its findings to the General Assembly by the end of 2021. Findings from such studies would likely influence future adoption, availability and other factors involving the technology’s availability.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic required remote health care visits, telehealth widely expanded, with physicians’ adoption of it increasing 340 percent between 2015 and 2018. Its benefits include expansion of health access for some populations, reduced health care costs and time savings and increased convenience. These factors will benefit patients and physicians alike with increased widespread adoption of the technology.
State Senator Dennis Bradley Releases Statement Following Agreement Made Between Governor Lamont, Mohegan Tribe, and Mashantucket Tribe
State Senator Dennis Bradley Releases Statement Following Agreement Made Between Governor Lamont, Mohegan Tribe, and Mashantucket Tribe
Today, state Senator Dennis Bradley (D-Bridgeport) is releasing the following statement following the agreement made between Governor Lamont, the Mohegan Tribe, and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe on the modernization of gaming in Connecticut.
“I am proud to have been a strong advocate for this opportunity in Bridgeport,” said Sen. Bradley. “This agreement made means we are one step closer to a casino in Bridgeport. It’s exciting that Bridgeport is a location being looked at to pioneer this agreement and would be a prominent and successful location that would allow sports betting and wagering.”
Senator Bradley is a strong supporter for the expansion of sports wagering and gaming in Connecticut and with an agreement with both Native American Tribes, the committed partnership would benefit a casino in Bridgeport. On March 5, 2021, Senator Bradley wrote a letter to Governor Lamont in support of the Eastern Connecticut legislative delegation, requesting an agreement to be made that would include both tribes.
This legislative session, Senator Bradley introduced Senate Bill 570, “An Act Authorizing A Tribal Resort-Casino In Bridgeport, Sports Wagering, Internet Gaming And Internet Lottery, that seeks to create a mechanism for proxy betting within Bridgeport that allows people in other states to participate in sports wagering.
Energy & Technology Committee Moves Two Key Bills on Equal Access to Broadband, Climate Change Mitigation Forward
Energy & Technology Committee Moves Two Key Bills on Equal Access to Broadband, Climate Change Mitigation Forward
Today, the Energy & Technology Committee voted to advance two key bills, both priorities of Governor Ned Lamont, that would work to ensure equal access to broadband for residents statewide and to mitigate the impacts of climate change, including a goal of the state ceasing its use of greenhouse gas in energy development by 2040. State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), Senate Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, lauded the strong pushes forward the legislation represent for residents of Connecticut.
“We know internet access in our world is becoming more vital to everyday life, and we know that climate change plays more of a role in our lives every day as well,” said Sen. Needleman. “We need to take strong and significant steps forward when it comes to issues like these, and I’m encouraged that both of these bills do that. We need to provide equitable access to important resources like fast, effective internet services statewide. We need to push into a greener future that mitigates climate change and its impacts on our lives. Both of these pieces of legislation help those causes directly.”
Governor’s Bill 6442, “An Act Concerning Equitable Access To Broadband,” seeks to overhaul how internet access is perceived and supplied in the state. The state would promote programs ensuring universal availability and accessibility of high-speed broadband internet access to all residents and businesses in the state, establish an advanced standard for broadband internet access, ensure it’s available and affordable on a nondiscriminatory basis for all segments of the state’s population, ensure its availability at all times for educational and learning purposes and invest in development a strong broadband technology workforce by encouraging strong ties to the state’s educational community. Through overarching changes to current procedures, the legislation seeks to reform how internet is perceived and considered in Connecticut with an end goal of expanding equity of access. Tens of thousands of state residents still lack access to effective broadband internet, barred among other reasons due to high cost and location.
Governor’s Bill 882, “An Act Concerning Climate Change Mitigation and Home Energy Affordability,” seeks to advance several efforts by the state to reduce the impacts of climate change, including a new benchmark of no use of greenhouse gas in Connecticut electricity generation by 2040. The legislation further asks state agencies to pursue electricity sources accounting for the reduced use of greenhouse gas, additionally making changes to support increased home energy efficiency. Landlords would be required to provide prospective renters or buyers with average monthly energy costs in the residence over the previous year, assisting residents with additional information and helping them better be prepared for potential costs.