Dear Neighbor,

We'll be heading back into session on Thursday. You can follow on CT.N. We opened on February 4th. Since then, we've had a host of committee meetings and public hearings, as we should.

This week, we'll take a deep dive into what I've been up to over the past couple of weeks and my focus for this session, which ends on May 6th. Have a look. This week's topics include:

• Around the 41st District
• Legislative Update
• In the News
• Stay Engaged
• Dept. of Transportation News
• Vets Resources & Updates
• Community Events
   

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.

Have a great weekend,

Sincerely,

Aundré Bumgardner
State Representative
 

Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee

Last Friday, the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee voted to raise my bill establishing a statewide short-term rental registry. I am now working collaboratively with committee leadership to refine the language ahead of a public hearing that will be scheduled soon. This proposal is focused on improving transparency, fairness, and coordination for municipalities managing short-term rentals.
The committee also raised several major proposals scheduled for subject-matter public hearings, including:

• SB 102 — Distribution of meals sales-tax revenue
   
• SB 103 — Establishes a refundable Child Tax Credit
   
• SB 114 — Eliminates income thresholds for Social Security tax deductions
   

Notably, the Child Tax Credit proposal mirrors legislation I introduced (HB 5134) and would create a fully refundable credit of $600 per child (up to three children) for families earning up to $100,000 (single filers) or $200,000 (joint filers).
 

Energy & Technology Committee

• Solarizing publicly owned buildings and integrating battery storage to reduce operating costs, manage peak demand, improve reliability, and provide backup power for schools, emergency shelters, and municipal facilities.

Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee voted to raise several bills last Friday that I am proud to co-sponsor. These will be heard at a public hearing on February 23:

• HB 5236 — Protects public transit workers by establishing a workplace safety committee and requiring safety barriers for bus operators.
   
• SB 234 — Supports commuters through funding for on-demand microtransit services.
   
• SB 9 — Strengthens public transportation statewide, including restoring Shore Line East service, improving project delivery, requiring notice of fare increases, and expanding access to bus passes for students and veterans.
• Thoughtful data center regulation to ensure new high-load infrastructure supports economic development without placing undue strain on ratepayers or the electric grid.
   
• Exploring a Connecticut power authority model similar to the New York Power Authority, which could build renewable generation and transmission infrastructure to expand supply and stabilize prices.

I also continue highlighting the long-standing success of Groton’s publicly owned electric utility as proof that well-structured public power models can deliver reliable and affordable electricity.

Connecticut can reduce energy costs and advance our climate goals by modernizing infrastructure while learning from proven energy frameworks.

Environment Committee Update

As Vice Chair of the Environment Committee, I’m pleased to report that the last two weeks have been highly productive. Committee leadership screened bill concepts submitted by legislators and advocates, and we voted to raise several proposals for consideration — including two concepts I introduced:

AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE’S MATERIALS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
This proposal builds on work I advanced last session to modernize Connecticut’s waste and materials management framework. Our current system is outdated and increasingly costly for municipalities. This legislation aims to prioritize waste reduction, diversion, recycling innovation, and long-term environmental protection — especially important for shoreline communities like ours, where waste impacts waterways and fisheries.

AN ACT CONCERNING TRIBAL CO-MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
 This concept continues my legislative work to strengthen tribal stewardship partnerships. Tribal nations have sustainably managed land and water resources for generations, and this proposal seeks to create pathways for collaborative conservation, shared management authority, and recognition of traditional ecological knowledge.

Bipartisan Effort to Strengthen Tourism Funding

Coverage from the Hartford Business Journal recently highlighted a bipartisan effort I’m proud to be part of to strengthen Connecticut’s Tourism Fund. Alongside colleagues from Eastern Connecticut, I introduced legislation to dedicate a portion of existing meals-tax revenue to tourism promotion.

Tourism marketing funding has declined sharply in recent years as temporary federal relief expired — dropping from about $12.1 million in FY2022 to roughly $4.5 million projected for FY2026. Stabilizing this funding is especially important for southeastern Connecticut, home to major regional destinations that support thousands of jobs, small businesses, and local revenues.

I continue to work very closely with Steve Meskers as Commerce Committee Chair and Heather Somers as a Committee member on HB 5243, a proposal to strengthen Connecticut’s tourism economy by strategically investing in projects that grow visitation and support local jobs.

Any bonding language associated with this effort will ultimately be decided by the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee and its Bonding Subcommittee, on which I also serve, building on last year’s work to pass a Commerce Committee–sponsored bill establishing a Mystic tourism working group that I had the honor to serve on.

That working group identified initiatives that support workforce development, resilience, economic growth, public safety, and our community values — all of which inform the current proposal and its goals ahead of next week’s public hearing. I welcome community input on this issue so that we can ensure the bill reflects local priorities as it moves forward in the process.

Public hearings are a critical part of the legislative process, and I encourage residents to share their perspectives as these proposals move forward. Your input helps shape policies that affect our communities. If you have feedback or would like to weigh in on any of these issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.

As a reminder, it's easier than ever to follow along and get involved. There are several resources you can utilize that will help you stay updated on the legislative process as it unfolds in Hartford.

Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:  

• The Office of Legislative Research (OLR) provides nonpartisan and unbiased research to members of the General Assembly and its staff. Part of OLR's duties include writing bill analyses, which are summaries of bills in plain language. 
• You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website. 
• Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, press conferences, as well as House and Senate floor debates. 
• Click here to register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change. 
• Click here for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.

         Together, we can ensure all voices are heard. 

Bridge Joint repairs Over Mystic River on I-95 in Mystic

Bridge joint repairs over the Mystic River on I-95 in Mystic, with single lane closures, are scheduled through Thursday, March 20, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that bridge joint repairs will be performed over the Mystic River on Interstate 95 in Mystic. The bridges are located between Exits 89 and 90.

The work is scheduled through Thursday, March 20, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. This project is being performed to maintain the structural integrity of the bridges and ensure the continued safety of the traveling public.

The repairs will be performed by Hammonasset Construction.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

There will be a single lane closure on I-95 northbound and southbound, between Exits 89 and 90, during the scheduled work hours. Traffic control signing patterns and crash units will guide motorists safely through the work zone. 

CTDOT urges motorists to maintain a safe speed, follow posted signage, and be alert to construction personnel and equipment when traveling through the area.

• Your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is critical for accessing VA benefits. Here’s how to obtain a copy:
• Check with your Town Clerk – Many veterans file their DD 214 with their local town clerk.
• Contact CT Veterans Affairs – They have an archive of 130,000 DD 214s. Email oaa.dva@ct.gov for assistance.
• Submit a Request to the National Archives – The fastest way is online: Request Here
• If Needed for Burial or Military Honors – Funeral directors have priority retrieval access.

• Groton – 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, 9 a.m. – 11 AM
• Groton Public Library – 52 Newtown Road
•  Mystic – 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
• Mystic Congregational Church – 43 East Main Street
• Pawcatuck – 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month, 9 AM – 11 AM
• Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center – 27 Chase Street

For more locations and information, contact:
Gina King, Director, Senior Volunteer Services
gking@tvcca.org |  860-425-6617

If you have any issues, concerns, or ideas related to veteran services, military families, or legislative priorities, please feel free to reach out to my office. Your service and sacrifices deserve to be honored with the best support possible.