Borinqueneers Annual Celebration, Legislative Session Update, and more

April 17, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

Last week, the House was in session on Wednesday, April 8th and 9th, and will be back next week, Monday through Thursday. As we head into the final weeks of session, my colleagues and I are working tirelessly to pass legislation that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents. Over the remaining weeks, I will keep you updated on the work we are doing at the Capitol, and you can follow along live on days the General Assembly is in session on CT-N or YouTube.

If you have any questions, concerns, or if my office can be of assistance to you, please contact me at 860-240-8585 or Iris.Sanchez@cga.ct.gov.

Celebrating Borinqueneers Day

This Monday, April 13th, we honored National Borinqueneers Day with the annual celebrate here at the Borinqueneers Monument in New Britain. I was thrilled to co-host this year's celebration with Mayor Bobby Sanchez and the New Britain Veterans Commission. It was great to be joined by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and many of my legislative colleagues to honor the legacy of Borinqueneers here in our community.

Following the ceremony, we headed over to the New Britain Museum of American Art to continue the celebration at the Museum of the Old Colony exhibit by Pablo Delano, which brings Puerto Rican history into our community. This was a wonderful celebration recognizing the dedication and challenges overcome by the Borinqueneers who served in both World Wars and the Korean War.

Annual Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony for Dr. MLK Jr.

On April 11th, I joined Mayor Sanchez and other community members for the Annual Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony for Dr. MLK Jr. at MLK Park in New Britain. The theme of this year's event was: "Dream Keepers: Protecting the Promise of Tomorrow". It was a meaningful event to bring our community together to honor and reflect on MLK's commitment to justice.

Upcoming House Session

Next week, the House will be in session on Monday, April 20th, Tuesday, April 21st, Wednesday, April 22nd, and Thursday, April 23rd. Follow along all day on CT-N or YouTube.

Legislative Session Update

Last week, the House was in Session on Wednesday, April 8th, and Thursday, April 9th, and we passed a handful of bills. Read more about what we passed below.

The House passed H.B. 5157, An Act Concerning The Tire Stewardship Program, to strengthen Connecticut’s tire disposal program, requiring retail stores to fully participate by July 1, 2027. This step aims to reduce illegal dumping and prevent the buildup of old tires in our neighborhoods, a persistent source of blight and environmental harm. By improving tire collection and ensuring responsible tire disposal, the measure will help keep our streets cleaner, reduce public health risks, and support revitalization efforts. Keeping our communities clean strengthens our local economy and enhances the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. The Senate now has until the end of the legislative session to take up the bill.

The House unanimously passed H.B. 5406, to honor veterans/service members and military families, and it is now heading to the Senate for consideration. These updates improve access to critical services, strengthen protections, and ensure greater recognition for the service and sacrifice of our veterans. This legislation strengthens and expands support for Connecticut veterans in several important ways, including:

Establishing a state-run dental care program for eligible veterans
Waiving motor vehicle operator license fees
Expanding eligibility for state military medals
Requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to warn veterans about unauthorized "claim sharks"

The House unanimously passed H.B. 5039, aimed at increasing oversight and transparency for legislative earmarks. The bill mandates stricter documentation for nonprofits receiving state funds, requires reporting on fund recipients, and aims to curb abuses in the allocation of grants. This legislation will establish new rules to provide greater oversight of funds allocated through legislative earmarks, which legislators request each year for nonprofits and other organizations. The safeguards include additional documentation and reporting requirements for organizations that receive these allocations. Among other provisions, lawmakers will need to specify how the funding will be used, and organizations will require state approval if they plan to sub-grant the funds to another group.

ABLE to Save Month

April is recognized as ABLE to Save Month in Connecticut, a time to raise awareness about financial empowerment for individuals with disabilities. The ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program allows eligible individuals to establish tax-advantaged savings accounts that support greater independence and long-term financial security.

Recent expansions have broadened access to the program, making thousands more residents, including veterans, eligible by increasing the disability onset age to 46. ABLE accounts allow individuals to save more than $20,000 annually without jeopardizing eligibility for critical federal benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid, providing a vital pathway to stability, opportunity, and self-sufficiency.

Click here for more information on eligibility requirements and to enroll.

National Drug Takeback Day

As you begin spring cleaning, clearing out old medications is an essential step toward a refreshed and safe home. National Drug Takeback Day, administered by the DEA, will take place on Saturday, April 25. This event provides residents with a free, convenient way to safely dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications at local collection sites. The DEA partners with local law enforcement agencies across the United States to host this event in local communities like ours.

The New Britain Police Department will host a Drug Takeback Site at 10 Chestnut St in New Britain from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. on Saturday, April 25th.

Host sites will collect pills and capsules, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medicines. The DEA cannot accept liquid, sharps, or needles. Trained volunteers will be present to handle collected materials and ensure safe disposal. Any medication you wish to dispose of should be presented in a clear, sealed bag. Loose pills or capsules will not be accepted.

If you are unable to attend the event, MyOldMeds.com offers a Locator Tool to help you find the nearest disposal site year-round. There are more than 29,000 verified locations in all 50 states that have secure unwanted or expired medicine disposal kiosks, and/ or provide free in-home disposal kits upon request. Additionally, the Locator Tool provides disposal site hours of operation, hours of collection, what is collected, and other helpful information.

Connecticut Renter's Rebate Program

Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate Program is now open to eligible renters who are elderly or living with a disability and meet certain income requirements.

Qualified applicants may receive rebates of up to $900 for married couples and $700 for single individuals. The rebate amount is determined using a graduated income scale, as well as the total rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made during the previous calendar year.

Applications must be submitted through your local municipality’s assessor’s office or a designated social service agency. The application period is now open and will run through September 30. Please note that no extensions are permitted, and all applications must be received by the municipality no later than September 30.

Click here for more information about eligibility requirements and how to apply.