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What's Our Rep Been Up To?
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| Happy Arbor Day to the 41st!
Today I joined the Town of Groton Parks and Recreation, DPW, and Groton officials this morning to celebrate the planting of several trees at our Groton Public Library and the Thrive 55+ complex. These memorial tree plantings honor the lives of many community members who have since left us.
Groton has long been a leader in preserving and protecting open space. I also enjoyed spending the morning with community members to celebrate our longtime participation in the Tree City USA program and chatting about pending legislation impacting our forests and native tree species.
Last week, I was proud to vote for An Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Invasive Plants Council, which would prohibit the sale and cultivation of highly invasive trees like the Callery Pear! As an early co-sponsor and supporter of the bill on the Environment Committee, I am eager to see the bill passed in the Senate and advance to the Governor’s desk for his signature! |
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A huge thank you to this year’s Earth Day Expo organizers and participants!
It was so much fun starting my morning with State Representative Christine Conley meeting with students about our work in the legislature and environmental policy. Also, enjoyed tabling the event and talking to attendees about constituent services and state resources. |
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| Discover “Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty, and the Sea,” a groundbreaking exhibition at Mystic Seaport Museum spotlighting maritime histories from Indigenous, African, and African-descended perspectives. Unraveling traditional narratives, this exhibit dives deep into the history of Mystic, and the untold stories of Indigenous dispossession and racialized slavery, amplifying voices long silenced.
Through the lenses of Kuhtah and Kalunga—Pequot and Bantu words for the Atlantic Ocean—explore the profound connections between ancestral African societies and Indigenous Nations of Turtle Island.
These waterways like our Mystic River serve as conduits of history, embodying cycles of trauma, healing, and rebirth.
“Entwined” celebrates the enduring legacies and resilience of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and African-descended peoples of the Dawnland (New England) with a focus on ancestral and descendant voices, the exhibit beautifully weaves together narratives of freedom, sovereignty, and the sea. Congratulations to Dr. Akeia de Barros Gomes, Peter Armstrong, MSM staff, Mellon Foundation, and the Black and Indigenous community advisors who made this exhibition possible! |
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| What a great Earth Day Saturday was to the 41st District!
I was honored to provide keynote remarks at the UConn EcoHusky Club’s second annual Earth Celebration celebration at UConn Avery Point in the City of Groton! Thank you, Director Seifert, Dr. Ebbin, and the students for having me today! I was so inspired to hear from so many young people who are committed to climate resilience and environmental justice!
Connecticut is paving the path toward a greener, cleaner future! I am proud to see our state leading the charge in climate action on this Earth Day and every day. We can protect our environment for generations by supporting bills like HB 5004. Let’s get it over the finish line! |
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| Best college basketball program in the nation and the best DOT in the nation. Period! |
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| Why did my constituent from Mystic Aquarium and I rush to meet the Speaker of the House just in the nick of time? Because our commute from Mystic was so long, we didn’t want to “wing it” and fly up there!
Great to spend some time with Speaker Ritter and African Penguin Green Red this morning at our capitol! Nothing but smiling faces and happy feet in the building! |
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| We celebrated Connecticut Sun Day at the State Capitol! It was wonderful to meet Team President Jen Rizzotti and members of the team, as well as see Vice-Chairwoman and Justice of The Mohegan Tribe Council of Elders, Beth Regan, Tribal Councilman & Corresponding Secretary Joe Soper, and CT Sun Assistant General Manager, Morgan Tuck alongside my colleagues in the CT Black and Puerto Rican Caucus. The CT Sun team does some pretty incredible work in our communities across the state through civic engagement and basketball clinics. They continue to inspire young women and individuals — and we were excited to host them at the State House. |
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| Tuesday: Public Information Meeting Regarding Gold Star Bridge |
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| Paid Sick Leave Passes House |
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| No one should have to choose between missing an important family event, going in to work sick and exposing others or taking a mental health day when needed. It's why we passed House Bill 5005 to allow for the accrual of paid leave, up to 40 hours each year, for those working at least 120 days annually. Businesses that already offer paid time off are exempt from this legislation. |
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| There has been a cultural change in the workplace since the pandemic and we don't want our coworkers showing up to work sick. This legislation promotes better public health outcomes while allowing workers to care for themselves or a sick loved one without adding financial strain. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration where they must vote before the 2024 legislative session ends on Wednesday, May 8th at 12:00 A.M. |
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| Bills Passed In The House So Far |
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| The 2024 session ends on May 8th, and we have a lot of work to do, and we will. Here's a look at some of what we've passed in the House so far:
HB 5261 - Protects children’s health by creating a working group on the effects of energy drinks on children
HB 5232 - Expands solar energy projects
HB 5153 - Increases workforce housing
HB 5318 - Supports new parents by establishing a license for board-certified lactation consults
HB 5146 - Requires financial institutions to provide certain financial records to the Commissioner of Social Services or any person deputized by said commissioner within twenty calendar days; and provides that certain actions taken concerning such financial records shall not constitute a class C misdemeanor.
HB 5149 - Allows beer manufacturer permittees to sell and deliver kegs of beer at locations in this state that are within a five-mile radius of their permit premises, package store permittees to provide fee-based spirits tastings, and Connecticut craft cafe permittees to sell additional alcoholic beverages manufactured in this state.
HB 5237 - Requires student surveys as part of the evaluation of private career schools during the process for renewal of a certificate of authorization.
HB 5257 - Provides that the owner or keeper of a dog shall be jointly and severally liable for any dog causing damage to the person or property of another person.
HB 5288 - Aligns state law with federal law concerning service animals, and within available appropriations, makes available through the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities educational materials concerning service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals.
HB 5308 - Allows an absentee ballot applicant, who is a patient in a nursing home within six days immediately preceding the close of the polls at an election, primary, or referendum, to designate someone to deliver an absentee ballot to such applicant.
HB 5317 - Requires a study concerning the funding for and effectiveness of the Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Program.
HB 5343 - Establishes a Connecticut prepaid college tuition program, procedures related to such program, and a related account.
HB 5379 - Promotes efficiencies in the duties undertaken by state marshals, the State Marshal Commission, and the State Marshal Advisory Board.
HB 5381 - Clarifies under which circumstances an officer shall not pause body-worn recording equipment.
HB 5466 - Permits the prosecution of an elections-related crime during the period prescribed by the statute of limitations, or the period ending six months after the date of the referral by the State Elections Enforcement Commission of a complaint, statement, or evidence concerning such crime, whichever period ends later.
HR 14 - Proposes approval of an agreement between the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, Local 6950.
HR 15 - Proposes approval of an agreement between the State of Connecticut and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC).
For a complete list of bills we've passed this session, please click HERE. |
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| Human Services Expo Sunday |
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| I hope you can join me and fellow lawmakers, along with the Town of Groton and the City of Groton for a Human Services Expo Sunday, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Thrive 55+ Active Living Center, 102 Newtown Road, in Groton.
This will be a resources expo focused on eviction/housing issues and services that are available to help those in need. Officials from local and state agencies will be on hand to provide an overview of services offered and answer questions at their tables. |
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| Autism: Raising Awareness At The Capitol On April 29th |
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| The CT Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity is inviting you and the families under your care to attend: "Autism: Raising Awareness at the Capitol".
This free event, which takes place on Monday, April 29th from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the North Lobby of the Capitol, aims to raise awareness, enhance understanding, and address challenges confronting the autism community. I am proud my mom, Liz Bumgardner, will be participating in this event, from an educator and parent advocate perspective. |
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| Families are encouraged to join and listen to insights from medical professionals, as well as personal stories from individuals with autism and parent advocates who have navigated the journey of raising children on the autism spectrum. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from legislators regarding current legislative efforts. |
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| April is Autism Awareness Month |
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| April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the unique talents and abilities of individuals on the spectrum. Let's spread understanding, acceptance, and love as we honor the diverse experiences of those with autism. Together, we can build a more inclusive and supportive world. |
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| 5th Annual Recycle Regatta |
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| Don't miss out on participating in the 5th Annual Recycle Regatta, a free, fun, hands-on competition for K-12 students! Students build model sailboats from recycled materials, racing to victory while learning about engineering, math, sailing, buoyancy, and stewardship. Submissions are open and being accepted through April 30th! Please visit the New England Science & Sailing Foundation website for more information HERE. |
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| Eastern Point Beach Season Passes Information |
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| Online sales begin May 1st. In-person sales begin on Saturday, May 4, from 9 am - 2 pm. Please click on the image below for more details. |
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| Saturday Is Prescription Drug Take Back Day |
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Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic. Drug take-back day gives the community a way to safely and anonymously turn in old, unneeded, or unused medications.
Take part today by cleaning out the medicine cabinets and heading to your closest drop-off location. Find a collection site HERE. |
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| Community Events and Notices |
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| Do not hesitate to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Aundre.Bumgardner@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267.
Sincerely,
Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative |
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