Author: Devin James

Senator Hochadel Highlights State Financing for Meriden Redevelopment

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Highlights State Financing for Meriden Redevelopment

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, welcomed new state financing Friday for an ongoing rehabilitation project to transform five existing buildings on Colony Street in Meriden into a new development, including 69 apartment units in the city’s downtown business district.

The funding, announced last month by the state Department of Housing and Housing Finance Authority, includes a $2.375 million loan through the Build For CT program. It will help fund the residential and commercial development project near the city’s Amtrak Station.

“It’s exciting to see state support for a project that’s expected to breathe life into our downtown,” Senator Hochadel said. “For years, these buildings have stood unused just steps from the Meriden Green and our train station. Soon, they’ll provide homes for families and space for businesses, turning blighted structures into housing and economic activity that will benefit the whole community.”

The Colony Street project is expected to include 19 affordable apartments reserved for households earning between 60-80% of the Area Median Income.

Meriden was one of nine Connecticut communities with developments that received state financing, announced by the Housing Department at the end of July. All told, the investment will help to create or preserve 478 housing units.

“We’re doing everything possible to accelerate our development efforts so we can continue building stronger, more resilient communities across Connecticut,” Seila Mosquera-Bruno, commissioner of the Department of Housing, said.  “These investments reflect our values and commitment to providing housing our residents can afford, at all incomes levels, and different stages of life. We’re excited about these projects and look forward to seeing these homes occupied with Connecticut families.”

“Housing is foundational to opportunity and economic stability,” Nandini Natarajan, CEO of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, said. “These recent closings – from new construction in Stamford and Norwalk to revitalization in Willimantic – reflect the creative, locally grounded solutions needed to meet the complexity of housing need across Connecticut.”

SENATOR MAHER ISSUES STATEMENT AS DCF COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

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SENATOR MAHER ISSUES STATEMENT AS DCF COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) issued the following statement after Department of Children and Families Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly announced her plans to retire from state service and become the director of the Doris Duke Foundation’s Child Well-Being Program after a career in Connecticut spanning more than 35 years:

“After a long career dedicated to helping people across Connecticut, I wish Commissioner Hill-Lilly the best, with gratitude for all she has accomplished protecting and aiding vulnerable communities and families. Her national recognition for her detailed, meaningful approach to this work reflects the care and compassion she has shown throughout her time at DCF.”

Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff Elected Vice President of National Conference of State Legislatures

Posted on by Devin James

Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff Elected Vice President of National Conference of State Legislatures

BOSTON—Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D) has been elected vice president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan organization serving the nation’s 7,386 state lawmakers and more than 30,000 legislative staff.

Sen. Duff will serve one year as vice president, followed by a year as president-elect, and will become NCSL’s president at the 2027 Legislative Summit in Atlanta, Ga. NCSL’s presidency alternates between parties every year. Illinois Representative Marcus C. Evans Jr. (D) is NCSL’s newly elected president, and Montana Senator Barry Usher (R) is the president-elect.

Sen. Duff becomes the first Connecticut legislator elected vice president of the NCSL, and in coming years will become its first NCSL president-elect and president.

“In its 50 years of advancing the work of state legislators, NCSL has uniquely fostered a collaborative attitude that puts bipartisanship into action and has created lasting partnerships among the states. Stepping into the vice president position, I will channel NCSL’s emphasis on solving problems together and tackling issues that touch each of our states,” said Sen. Duff. “It’s not lost on me that this will provide Connecticut with direct connections to some of the best ideas, people and resources in the country. I’m focused on what this election means for my state – this is great news for Connecticut Senate Democrats, the Connecticut Legislature and the 3.6 million people who call Connecticut home.”

Sen. Duff served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 2002 to 2005 and was elected to the Connecticut Senate in 2004. He has been the Senate majority leader since 2015. He is an active member of NCSL, serving as co-chair of NCSL Standing Committees, an at-large member of the Foundation of State Legislatures Board and a member of the Executive Committee.

Since assuming the majority leader position, Sen. Duff has overseen passage of a rewrite of Connecticut’s education funding formula, the largest tax cuts in state history and paid family medical leave. As the former chair of both the Housing Committee and Banking Committee, he created the state’s first Housing Trust Fund to build more affordable homes and worked on several reforms to reduce foreclosures.

Sen. Duff earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Lynchburg College in Virginia and has been a real estate professional with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty for more than three decades. He lives in Norwalk, Conn. with his wife, Tracy, and two children.

Senator Lesser Welcomes Pilot to Expand Coverage of Weight Loss Drugs

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Lesser Welcomes Pilot to Expand Coverage of Weight Loss Drugs

Senator Matt Lesser, Senate chair of the legislature’s Human Services Committee, issued the following statement Friday in response to a federal pilot program to cover GLP-1 weight loss drugs under Medicaid and Medicare.

“I welcome the return of this policy and believe Connecticut should seriously consider participating in the federal pilot program,” Senator Lesser, D-Middletown, said. “As we confront the obesity epidemic and the broader public health issues that come with it, we need Medicaid and other health plans to cover weight loss drugs in a way that is effective and affordable for patients and taxpayers. Two years ago, I wrote a law requiring Connecticut’s Medicaid program to cover GLP-1 drugs, but the cost was overwhelming due to high demand and drug company profiteering. That’s why this year, we directed the Department of Social Services to work with the federal government to reduce those costs, including through generic production and potential in-state manufacturing.

“This pilot program could help make these medications more accessible and more affordable, and I urge DSS to explore every option to lower prescription drug costs for Connecticut families. But this comes at a time when both red and blue states are reeling from $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts. The federal government must do more to support access to care. Millions of Americans are being pushed out of the system, and any progress on affordability will mean little if people no longer have coverage.”

The Washington Post reported Friday that the federal government planned to begin a five-year pilot program allowing Medicaid and Medicare to cover GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. The program mirrors an initiative proposed by President Joe Biden late last year.

In 2023, Senator Lesser led passage of Senate Bill 977, which required the Connecticut Department of Social Services to cover certain types of obesity treatments under its HUSKY B Medicaid program.

More recently, Senator Lesser served as co-chair of the legislature’s bipartisan Prescription Drug Task Force. The group’s work informed House Bill 7192, which included a provision requiring DSS to partner with the federal government to seek the generic production of GLP-1 weight loss drugs in addition to a wide range of other policies intended to reduce the costs consumers pay for pharmaceuticals.

H.B. 7192 passed with overwhelming support during the 2025 legislative session and was signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont. The legislation was celebrated Wednesday during a bill signing event at Arrow Pharmacy in Hartford.

Senator Gadkar-Wilcox Welcomes State Bonding to Youth Empowerment Group in Bridgeport

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Senator Gadkar-Wilcox Welcomes State Bonding to Youth Empowerment Group in Bridgeport

Today, state Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox (D-Bridgeport) is welcoming $250,000 from the State Bond Commission for Full Circle Youth Empowerment, Inc. in Bridgeport.

The $250,000 in state bonding is expected to help fund planning activities related to the acquisition and renovation of a facility to support youth and family programming.

“This funding for Full Circle Youth Empowerment will help lay the foundation for a space where children and families can learn, grow, and thrive together,” said Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox. “I’m proud to support efforts that uplift our community and provide real opportunities for the next generation.

Full Circle Youth Empowerment Inc. works to empower, support and encourage youth. The organization provides a variety of programs and services that support youth to help strengthen their skill development and increase their well-being to achieve optimal success personally, socially, emotionally, academically, and spiritually.

Sen. Maroney, West Haven Delegation Welcomes Funding to the Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Project

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Sen. Maroney, West Haven Delegation Welcomes Funding to the Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Project

Today, West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer and the West Haven Delegation consisting of state Senator James Maroney, state Representatives Trenee McGee, Bill Heffernan, and MJ Shannon, are welcoming $2.4 million from the State Bond Commission to help with the Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Project in West Haven.

“This investment will ensure that students have a safer commute to school each day, whether they walk, ride a bike, or get a ride,” said Sen. Maroney. “These upgrades will improve the immediate area around the schools, and also focus on creating safe, accessible routes throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. It’s a smart step forward for both student safety and community well-being.”

“This project is about safety, connectivity, accessibility and quality of life for our students, our teachers and the neighbors,” said Mayor Borer. “Savin Rock has the largest elementary enrollment which has contributed to significant and adverse vehicle and pedestrian traffic impact in recent years which needs to be addressed as they are experiencing increased incidents. These challenges are very similar to the high traffic impact around the V.A. which earlier in 2025 the city was awarded $1.8 million in State funding to assist with the same type of infrastructure investment as well. Additionally, Washington School was just rebuilt but school construction does not include funding for the sidewalks around the school. We appreciate that most of these issues will be addressed with the State Bonding.”

“I believe any project intended to create a safer environment, especially around our schools, should move forward as quickly as possible,” Rep. Trenee McGee said. “The Neighborhood Pedestrian Safety Project is a win for the students, Washington and Savin Rock Schools, and residents in the areas surrounding both schools. I want to thank the State Bond Commission and Gov. Lamont for approving the funds for the project.”

“We always want to keep our pedestrians and students safe, and this project – with this funding – will help do that,” said Rep. Heffernan. “Thank you to Governor Lamont and the Bond Commission for helping make this project possible by including funds on the bond agenda.”

“Developing a walkable neighborhood is a great win, especially when it creates safeguards for the young people in our community,” said Rep. Shannon. “Once this project is completed, the areas surrounding Washington and Savin Rock will have the infrastructure necessary to protect individuals traveling by foot. This means local students will be able to safely walk or bike to school. These changes will make the area more accessible for all, which will greatly benefit the community. Thank you to Governor Lamont and the Bond Commission for their investment in West Haven.”

The project includes street paving within a one- to two-mile radius of both Washington School and Savin Rock School. It also features ADA improvements and crosswalk upgrades, including eight multiway crosswalks at Savin Rock and six at Washington.. Aesthetic enhancements will be made including the planting of trees and painted crosswalks near drop-off areas.

The project will impact over 700 students attending both schools. Residents living near each school see higher-than-average traffic during the school year and require more frequent maintenance. Neighbors will also benefit from walkability and the associated environmental benefits from reduced GHG/Motor vehicle emissions.

This work is expected to begin in late Fall of 2025 and early Spring of 2026.

SENATOR ANWAR ISSUES STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF $25 MILLION OF STATE BONDS SUPPORTING CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS

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SENATOR ANWAR ISSUES STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF $25 MILLION OF STATE BONDS SUPPORTING CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), a member of the Crumbling Foundations Caucus, issued the following statement as the State Bond Commission voted to release $25 million of state bond funds to the Crumbling Foundations Assistance Fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year:

“While more than a thousand homes have been repaired thanks to the state’s efforts to repair homes with crumbling foundations, there is still plenty of work remaining, which is why these funds are so important,” said Sen. Anwar. “This program is a lifeline for homeowners who are placed in dire circumstances through no fault of their own, and knowing they will have more support in the coming year eases my concerns. I’m grateful to the Bond Commission and Governor Lamont for supporting this important initiative.”

SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES $192,100 IN STATE GRANTS FOR WESTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

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SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES $192,100 IN STATE GRANTS FOR WESTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) welcomed the State Bond Commission’s vote to provide a $192,100 grant to the Weston Public Library. These funds will be used for the library’s project to improve accessibility and emergency preparedness while supporting enhancements to its energy conservation capabilities.

“The Weston Public Library offers a vital resource to the community, allowing for education, entertainment and great local events bringing so many of us together,” said Sen. Maher. “To know more people will have easier access to its collection, it will become more resilient against potential weather disasters and it will see operating costs fall while saving more energy? That’s amazing for Weston. I’m grateful to the Bond Commission and Governor Lamont for their support of our region.”

As part of the Bond Commission’s August 1 activities, it administered the grant through the state library, which offers construction grants to public library construction projects worth up to half the cost of the project.

SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $3+ MILLION IN STATE BOND COMMISSION GRANTS SUPPORTING WATERFORD, MONTVILLE

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SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $3+ MILLION IN STATE BOND COMMISSION GRANTS SUPPORTING WATERFORD, MONTVILLE

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) welcomed the State Bond Commission’s vote to provide more than $3 million in financial support for Montville and Waterford.

With the Bond Commission’s vote to support new funding allocations, those include $1.4 million for Montville’s Avalonia Land Conservancy to purchase the Bond Property, as well as a grant valued at $1 million to Waterford, supporting upgrades to public safety communications equipment.

Further support for local projects includes a $250,000 allocation of funds to the Montville VFW Post 10060 for renovations and upgrades, a $200,000 allocation to the town of Montville to renovate its pavilion and upgrade its recreational fields, and another $175,000 allocation to Montville for upgrades and paving of the local pickleball court.

“This investment into our local communities represents real improvements for local resources to keep people safe and enjoy local events. It also represents the vital preservation of hundreds of acres of land, keeping it untouched except for hiking and outdoor recreation,” said Sen. Marx. “I’m grateful to the State Bond Commission and Governor Lamont for this investment.”

The Bond Property in Montville is 673 acres, protecting drinking water, local wildlife and open space. The Avalonia Land Conservancy says parts of the land are expected to be used for trail development and educational programming.

Upgrading Waterford radios is a necessary process to make sure town first responders have the capability to update equipment and support regional information, with plans to connect to a larger network that allows better communication between regional first responders, according to town officials.

Sen. Slap, Rep. Gibson Welcome $1M for Auerfarm

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Sen. Slap, Rep. Gibson Welcome $1M for Auerfarm

HARTFORD – State Senator Derek Slap and State Representative Bobby Gibson welcomed news that the State Bond Commission approved $1 million in grant funding for Auerfarm in Bloomfield today.

Auerfarm is a 120-acre non-profit educational farm located in Bloomfield and they offer summer camps and programming for children and adults. The funding will help pave Auer Farm Road, currently a dirt road. The current condition of the road is difficult for school buses to navigate and there is significant cost to repair the road after inclement weather.

“Auerfarm is an incredible asset to our community and beyond,” said Sen. Slap. “They offer a unique approach to learning the vital role agriculture and the environment plays in our food systems and I am grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for approving this funding that will support Auerfarm and their students for years to come.”

“During the last legislative session, I introduced a bill that provided additional funding for Farm to School programs,” said Rep. Gibson. “These programs provide students with hands on experience in the agricultural world, which ensures that our young people will grow into well rounded adults. Auerform has done tremendous work in this regard, and this funding will provide them with a much needed boost. Thank you to Governor Lamont and the Bond Commission for their consideration.”

“We are very excited to hear that Auerfarm will receive $1 million in state bonding to repair our road. Funding isn’t just about repairing a road; It’s an investment in access for all, ensuring that every student, family, and visitor can safely and easily reach our 120-acre outdoor classroom,” said Erica Fearn, Executive Director of Auerfarm. “This vital funding fuels our Learn, Explore, Connect initiative, allowing us to deepen our mission of inspiring lifelong learning through agriculture, science, and the environment. We are incredibly grateful for this support, which will help us continue to cultivate curiosity and foster a profound appreciation for the natural world in our community and beyond.”

The commission met Friday, August 1 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.