Brian Lanoue

Rep. Lanoue Votes Against Overreaching Vaccine Legislation

On Tuesday, H.B. No. 5044, “An Act Establishing Connecticut Vaccine Standards,” was taken up in the House and deserves serious scrutiny. While it is being framed as a technical update, its passage would have enormous, long‑term consequences for medical freedom, religious liberty, and the balance of power in our state. The bill allows Connecticut to move outside established CDC guidelines, not because of new science or clear public health necessity, but because current federal positions from the CDC, HHS, and Secretary Kennedy no longer align with the legislature’s ideological agenda. This represents a troubling shift from evidence‑based standards toward politically driven mandates. The legislature is effectively flexing its power to block Connecticut residents from moving forward with their lawsuit challenging the repeal of the religious exemption, which is grounded in the Connecticut Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). By carving school and childcare vaccine statutes, where the religious exemption was removed out of RFRA protections, the bill deliberately undermines religious rights and attempts to cut off ongoing legal challenges. Also, the bill empowers the Department of Public Health (DPH) to create an elective adult vaccine schedule that will not be subject to the legislature’s Regulations Review process. This is a significant change in oversight. Once an unelected agency can unilaterally establish such a schedule, the door is opened to future expansions. My fear is that this is the bear’s nose in the cave. Today it might be labeled as elective, but tomorrow it could evolve into de facto or even formal mandates for groups like schoolteachers and school staff. Most concerning, the bill gives the DPH Commissioner unilateral authority to add any vaccine to the schedule without checks and balances. Concentrating this much power in the hands of a single official invites abuse and erodes public trust. As Lord Acton warned-"absolute power corrupts absolutely." When one person can decide on their own which vaccines to add, the potential for political pressure, corporate influence, or simple error grows dramatically. I voted NO because it reshapes Connecticut’s vaccine policy in ways that further weaken religious protections, sidestep regulatory oversight, concentrate power in a single office, and prioritize ideology over transparent, accountable, and rights‑respecting the overall public health policy.

Rep. Lanoue Visits Anchor of Hope in New London

Recently, I had the opportunity to tour Anchor of Hope in New London, CT, a non-profit organization that provides free, confidential services for women facing unplanned pregnancies. They offer medical services such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and STI testing, as well as counseling on parenting, adoption, and other important information. While they do not perform or refer for abortions, they focus on helping women understand all of their options and supporting them through whatever decision they make. Opened on Valentine’s Day in 1994, Anchor of Hope has helped guide thousands of women through their prenatal care journeys. This was a meaningful and informative visit. We had the chance to see firsthand how Anchor of Hope walks alongside women and families. Here are some takeaways of my visit: • Educating women on all of their options and providing clear information. • Offering abortion pill reversal, when medically appropriate, by prescribing progesterone to attempt to reverse the effects of the abortion pill. • Provides ultrasounds performed by a trained nurse who measures the baby, checks for a heartbeat, and assesses whether it is a viable pregnancy, and explains these findings to the patient. • Ensuring that if a woman plans to continue her pregnancy, she is referred to an OB provider for ongoing prenatal care. • Protecting patient privacy by requiring a signed release before any information or ultrasounds are shared. • Helping women without insurance get connected to coverage, including referral to the Husky program. • Collaborating with community organizations such as TVCCA and Safe Futures to address broader needs and connect clients with additional resources. • Providing educational groups for parents, in both English and Spanish, that help build parenting skills and create a supportive community of moms. • Offering services to dads as well, including classes on installing car seats, learning how to be a supportive father, and practical skills such as how to safely hold a baby. • Maintaining strict confidentiality to ensure that clients feel safe and respected when they come in for services. • Serving approximately 300 people each year for ultrasounds, with even more coming in for pregnancy testing and counseling. • Offering new moms around eight months of pregnancy with a handmade baby blanket and a pack-and-play, and informing them about the orange bracelet campaign. This campaign is a statewide quality improvement initiative to support ongoing efforts to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality in the postpartum period. • Giving ongoing support by allowing women to return for monthly one-on-one visits with an advocate until their child is 2 years old. Overall, the tour highlighted how Anchor of Hope provides not only medical and educational services, but also compassionate, long-term support for women, men, and families in our community.

Rep. Lanoue Applauds Finance Committee Passage of Volunteer Stipends Bill

Bill Advances to the State Senate for Further Action HARTFORD – State Representative Brian Lanoue (R-45) announced on Monday that the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee passed a key piece of his legislative agenda, S.B. 373, An Act Allowing a Personal Income Tax Deduction for Stipends Paid to Volunteer Firefighters, Volunteer Fire Police Officers, and Volunteer Ambulance Members. The bill was previously approved by the Public Safety and Security Committee on March 17th, and now awaits further action in the Senate. This is the sixth legislative session that Rep. Lanoue has introduced this proposed legislation in the General Assembly. S.B. 373 would exempt up to $2,000 in stipends received by volunteer firefighters, fire police officers, and volunteer ambulance members from the state income tax. The measure is intended to better support, recruit, and retain volunteer first responders who provide critical services in communities across Connecticut. “I am thankful to the members of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee for passing this important bill out of committee today,” said Rep. Lanoue. “I especially want to thank the chairs, State Senator John Fonfara and State Representative Maria Horn , and the ranking members, State Senator Ryan Fazio , and State Representative Joe Polletta , for working with us to move this bill to the Senate. As we all know, enrollment in our volunteer fire service is declining, and my hope is that this bill will be an important step forward in helping to buck that trend.” “This bill is a good step to help combat the ever-decreasing enrollment particularly in our volunteer fire departments across Connecticut,” said Rep. Polletta. “I am happy to see this bill pass through our committee.” The 2026 Connecticut General Assembly legislative session ends at midnight on May 6. -END-

Happy 100th Birthday to Griswold's Hester Stimac

On Sunday it was my honor to present a legislative citation to Hester Stimac of Griswold in recognition of her 100 years in eastern Connecticut. Hester has witnessed a century of living and has been a valued member of our community throughout it all. What a pleasure it was to celebrate this remarkable milestone with her! On March 30th, 1926, Hester (Benjamin) Stimac was born on the family farm in Preston City, Connecticut. Her parents were Everett and Minnie Benjamin. She is one of seven siblings (two sisters and five brothers). Growing up on the farm, Hester would collect eggs and sell them to locals in the town. Throughout her childhood, Hester attended Preston Congregational Church in Preston. In her early adulthood Hester worked at Griswold Rubber. After leaving Griswold Rubber, she began working at Thermos Corporation in Taftville. While working at Thermos, Hester was also working on the side cleaning houses. Hester took a great deal of pride in her work. Throughout her cleaning career, she cleaned for multiple clients including several supervisors from Electric Boat in Groton. Working as hard as she did, Hester was able to save enough money to build her own house in 1979. As a single mother this was a huge accomplishment. Hester has two children: Nicholas Stimac and Francis (Stimac) Hurst. She raised both of her children on her own while continuing to work as hard as she did. After retiring from Thermos, she continued cleaning until she was 88 years old. Throughout her senior years Hester frequently attends the Griswold Senior Center where she created bonds and friendships with others in her town. Throughout Hester's life, her drive and hard work to accomplish what she has, shows that age is just a number. Happy 100th Birthday to you, Hester! I was so happy I got the chance to celebrate with you all!

Several of Rep. Lanoue’s Legislative Priorities Advance with Strong Bipartisan Support

Several of Rep. Lanoue’s Legislative Priorities Advance with Strong Bipartisan Support Three bills now await further action by the General Assembly Hartford – As the committee phase of the 2026 legislative session begins to wind down, several of State Representative Brian Lanoue’s (R-45) key priorities are already moving forward with strong, unanimous bipartisan support. The Labor and Public Employees Committee passed H.B. No. 5497 - An Act Establishing a Task Force to Study the Effects of Artificial Intelligence on the Trades Industry and Requiring a Study of a Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program , out of committee last week. A section of that bill crafted by Rep. Lanoue creates a task force of trades professionals, CTECS administrators, engineers, technology designers, and AI experts to study how artificial intelligence will affect Connecticut’s trades programs and training. The group will identify gaps in current training and certification and recommend how to integrate AI related skills, so current and future tradespeople remain competitive in a changing economy and work environment. On March 17 th , the Public Safety and Security Committee passed S.B. No.373 - An Act Allowing a Personal Income Tax Deduction for Stipends Paid to Volunteer Firefighters, Volunteer Fire Police Officers, and Volunteer Ambulance Members . The bill would make up to $2,000 in stipends for volunteer firefighters, fire police officers, and volunteer ambulance members exempt from the state income tax. The goal is to better support, recruit, and retain volunteer first responders who provide critical services in communities across Connecticut. During the committee’s public hearing on the bill, retired Griswold Fire Chief Tom Holowaty, and Jewett City Captain Rich Waselik provided powerful testimony in support of this legislation sharing compelling and invaluable perspectives. The concept has been a top priority of Rep. Lanoue's that was introduced over the last several sessions. "I want to thank the committee for passing this bill, and I give them credit for addressing this important matter,” said Tom Holowaty. “I look forward to this bill being take up for debate and a vote in the Senate, the House, and eventually being signed into law by Governor Lamont.” Finally in the Energy and Technology Committee, S.B. No. 246 - An Act Requiring a Study of Natural Gas Rates for Commercial and Agricultural Customers will await additional action in the Senate. The bill directs the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection commissioner to study the creation of a separate natural gas demand charge category for farmers and agricultural operators, shifting from an annual to a quarterly (three month) assessment. The commissioner must report findings to the legislature by January 2027. The hope is that this study will institute a legislative fix by creating a special category for farmland and agricultural operators (as defined in CT statute 12-107c) in a future session. “The strong bipartisan support for these bills shows that when we focus on practical solutions which support our trades professionals, standing with our volunteer first responders, and helping our farmers manage energy costs. During challenging times, it is my hope that we can move Connecticut forward together with bold solutions,” Rep. Lanoue said. “I’m grateful to committee leadership and members on both sides of the aisle for working with me to advance these priorities. I understand there are many bills to consider, and I am so appreciative of all the time and effort that was put into getting them advanced.” The 2026 Legislative Session adjourns on May 6th, 2026, at midnight. -END- State Representative Brian Lanoue Represents the 45 th General Assembly District, including the towns Griswold, Ledyard, Lisbon, Preston, and Voluntown. State Rep. Brian Lanoue and Lou DeMicco from Jewett City Greenhouses during the February 26th Energy & Technology Committee Public Hearing Appearing in the photo left to right is Griswold Fire Chief Tom Holowaty, State Representative Brian Lanoue, and Jewett City Captain Rich Waselik