FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
March 10, 2026
 

Today, the East Hartford delegation including State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), House Majority Leader Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford), State Representative Henry Genga (D-East Hartford) and State Representative Patrick Biggins (D-East Hartford, Manchester) welcomed the Community Investment Fund’s approval of $6 million to be released to East Hartford to support the redevelopment of 111 Founders Plaza into an apartment building.

The funds, which will receive final approval from the State Bond Commission in the near future, would support the redevelopment of the former corporate office tower on Founders Plaza into up to 260 residential apartments with high-quality amenities including a community room, a fitness center, a resident lounge, work-from-home spaces and other features.

“This project will help carve into Connecticut’s housing shortage by turning unused spaces into new homes that can support hundreds of residents with high-end amenities,” said Sen. Anwar. “This project would create jobs, housing units and boost local tax revenue by more than $1 million – it’s the perfect kind of community investment and I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and the CIF Board for their continued support in East Hartford.”

“By creating livable spaces, we are also enabling municipalities to modernize infrastructure and move the needle toward building vibrant, inclusive communities across Connecticut while addressing the ongoing housing crisis,” Majority Leader Jason Rojas said.

“East Hartford has incredible potential, and the Community Investment Fund’s approval of $6 million for the redevelopment of 111 Founders Plaza is a major step forward for our community. Transforming this former office tower into modern residential apartments will help bring new life to our riverfront, attract residents, and support local businesses. I’m thankful to CIF for recognizing the importance of investing in East Hartford, and I look forward to the State Bond Commission’s final approval so this exciting project can move ahead,” said Rep. Genga.

“I am so excited about the potential of this project, and I’d like to thank the CIF for its commitment to East Hartford,” Rep. Biggins said. “Using this space for housing addresses a serious statewide issue. I look forward to seeing this project build our community.” 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

March 9, 2026

With the intention of making it more accessible to people experiencing food insecurity, the Public Health Committee today voted to advance legislation that would allow retail food establishments to donate extra edible food throughout the state.

When one in seven Connecticut residents experience food insecurity, this legislation is intended to reduce food waste and connect more residents in need with new solutions to food insecurity.

“When our state wastes more than 500,000 tons of food every year, and yet hundreds of thousands of residents can’t access the food they need, we have a real problem that seems to have an easy path to fix,” said State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee. “This bill seeks to reduce food waste in grocery stores and other foodservice businesses by connecting them with organizations fighting food insecurity. If it becomes law, we’d help kill two birds with one stone.”

Should it become law, Senate Bill 382, “An Act Concerning Edible Food Recovery,” would require the Departments of Consumer Protection and Public Health to develop and implement guidelines for retail food establishments to donate surplus amounts of edible food to distribution organizations statewide using a food recovery service by the end of 2026.

Following that, every year after would see retail establishments report their donations of edible surplus food to the Department of Consumer Protection, which would then be turned into a report to the legislature to show the effectiveness of the legislation.

The bill received strong support in public testimony, with the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters noting more than 30% of Connecticut’s waste stream consists of food. The bill “would help transform food recovery from waste reduction to a resource distribution system,” lowering costs and improving public nutrition at once, the organization said.

Yale Public Health graduate student Aron Basurto noted in testimony that food insecurity in Connecticut is now the worst in New England and this bill would utilize existing resources to feed struggling residents without spurring new food production.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

March 9, 2026
 

Today, the Public Health Committee passed legislation out of committee seeking to connect individuals with opioid use disorder with additional strategies to improve their condition, advancing new alternative methods of care intended to help those suffering.

“We’re at a potential turning point in our battle against the opioid crisis in Connecticut, but we could lose the ground we’ve gained if we don’t continue advocating for new solutions,” said State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee. “Direct connections to opioid antagonists and treatments that can help bring people into recovery are huge advantages we can utilize – I’m encouraged by the prospect of better ensuring those in need have access to programs that can and will help them.”

Senate Bill 365, “An Act Establishing A Bridge Program For Emergency Treatment and Recovery Navigation For Persons With An Opioid Use Disorder,” would see hospitals begin to provide buprenorphine or methadone, chemicals used to treat opioid use disorder and partially reverse opioids’ effect, to patients who present to emergency departments with symptoms of opioid use disorder.

The bill would change measures to allow buprenorphine or methadone’s administration without requiring the patient’s admission to the hospital as long as the drug is medically given and the patient consents. The patient would also be offered access to opioid antagonists upon discharge from the ED and would be offered a referral to local treatment programs or community providers.

If a patient is treated with methadone, they must be referred to a methadone treatment program and provided with a letter with exact details on their most recent methadone receipt. The bill does not require provision of medication and provides flexibility for clinicians to exercise professional judgment.

This legislation received strong support in public comments from recovery experts and medical professionals. Rebecca Allen, director of recovery advocacy for the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery, testified that many people with substance use disorder visit emergency departments, but are discharged without receiving information about recovery care or services. CCAR’s use of a similar model in its efforts has helped thousands of people reconnect with care, which Allen said would provide further benefits when expanded to a larger audience.

The Hartford County Medical Association testified that nonfatal opioid overdoses and emergency department visits remain high in Connecticut and signal missed opportunities for intervention, even noting people who survive overdoses without connections to evidence-based treatment are more likely to overdose and die in the future. However, buprenorphine and treatment can reduce mortality and stabilize lives.

“SB 365 helps convert what too often is a missed opportunity into a moment of hope and connection to ongoing recovery supports,” the Association testified.