Greg Howard

HOWARD SUPPORTS RECRUITMENT BILL, URGES STRONGER SUPPORT FOR POLICE AND FIRE

(HARTFORD, CT) – On Tuesday, State Representative Greg Howard, Ranking Member of the Connecticut General Assembly Public Safety and Security Committee, voiced support for advancing House Bill 5046 , while emphasizing that more must be done to fully support Connecticut’s police officers and firefighters. “Recruitment and retention remain difficult challenges for departments across our state,” said Rep. Howard, a 24-year veteran of the Stonington Police Department . “Providing tuition assistance and housing incentives is a step in the right direction, and I appreciate the effort to recognize the sacrifices these men and women make every day.” The bill establishes tuition waivers within the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system and the University of Connecticut for eligible police officers, paid and volunteer firefighters, and students attending the state fire school in coordination with regional technical colleges. The additionally, establishes a mortgage assistance program through the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to help police officers and paid and volunteer firefighters purchase homes in the communities they serve. However, Howard cautioned that incentives alone will not solve deeper issues facing law enforcement and fire service personnel. “While these programs may help attract new recruits, we are still not doing enough to address the day-to-day realities facing our police officers and firefighters,” Howard continued . “Morale, staffing shortages, the growing demands placed on our first responders continue and the continued vilification of law enforcement by some state leaders strain many departments. We need to ensure they have the resources, backing, and respect necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively.” Howard also pointed to the need for broader policy discussions around public safety support. “If we are truly serious about strengthening public safety, we must do more than financial incentives and take a hard look at how state policies impact recruitment, retention, and overall job satisfaction,” Howard added . “Our police officers and firefighters deserve not only our gratitude, but meaningful action that supports them both on and off the job.” The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and the Connecticut Police & Fire Union all testified in favor of the proposal during the public hearing phase. House Bill 5046, An Act Supporting Firefighter and Police Officer Recruitment and Retention, was approved unanimously by the committee and now moves forward in the legislative process.

Rep. Howard Celebrates Read Across America at West Vine Street School

STONINGTON — State Representative Greg Howard took some time on a busy Thursday to visit West Vine Street School to take part in the school’s Read Across America Day celebration, serving as a guest reader for students. During his visit, Rep. Howard read “I Am Sorry You Got Mad” by Kyle Lukoff to Mrs. Ross’s third grade class. After the reading, students had the opportunity to ask questions about his work at the State Capitol and learn about how laws are made in Connecticut. “It was a real joy to spend time with the students at West Vine Street School and share a story with them,” said Rep. Howard, a father of two boys and a member of the legislature’s Education Committee. “Seeing their smiles and curiosity reminds us why reading is so important. Books help young people discover new ideas, understand others, and imagine what they can become. Moments like this are special, and I’m grateful to the teachers and staff who are helping these students build a lifelong love of reading.” Read Across America is a nationwide initiative that promotes literacy and encourages children to develop a lifelong love of reading. Schools across Connecticut participate each year by inviting community members to read with students and celebrate the joy of books.

Howard Proposes Amendment to Strengthen Transparency and Accountability in Legislative Process (Video Link)

Howard Proposes Amendment to Strengthen Transparency and Accountability in Legislative Process ( Video Link ) HARTFORD – State Representative Greg Howard has introduced an amendment to Connecticut Senate Bill 298 that would increase transparency at the State Capitol and require a higher threshold for passage of legislation brought up for immediate votes. Rep. Howard said, "Emergency certifications should be reserved for genuine emergencies—not used as omnibus workarounds to rush through a sweeping package of controversial policies. Measures that would fundamentally reshape Connecticut’s elections, public education system, and workforce deserve transparency, public input, and a full public hearing—not a fast-track process that shuts the public out." The amendment would revise state law to ensure that no bill becomes law unless there has been a two-thirds supermajority vote in both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly for passage of any bill moved under emergency certification. Under current rules, legislative leaders may certify that a bill requires an immediate vote, allowing it to bypass the standard waiting period. Rep. Howard’s amendment maintains that authority but adds stronger safeguards. “This amendment is about transparency and accountability,” said Howard. “If a bill is truly urgent and cannot wait two legislative days, then it should require broad bipartisan agreement to pass. The public deserves time to review legislation, and lawmakers deserve full information before casting their votes.” Howard emphasized that the amendment does not eliminate emergency certifications but instead raises the bar to ensure that bypassing the normal review process is reserved for genuine emergencies. Howard’s amendment failed 46-97 on a total party-line vote .

House Republicans Condemn Inspector General Investigation of State Troopers Who Stopped Fleeing Suspect

HARTFORD — House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford), joined by State Rep. Greg Howard (R-Stonington) and State Rep. Tammy Nuccio (R-Tolland), released the following statement Monday condemning the state Inspector General's decision to investigate actions taken by two Connecticut State Troopers during the apprehension of suspects who fled from law enforcement during a traffic stop in November 2025: "Investigating a state trooper's use of a PIT maneuver as 'deadly force' when no one was killed or even injured is a gross expansion of the Inspector General's power and an incredibly broad application of that designation. As a result, two troopers are suspended—their careers and lives upended for no reason other than to appease a Governor and Democratic legislature that have created an untenable environment for law enforcement. The facts are straightforward. A trooper spotted a driver speeding erratically with mismatched plates and suspected intoxication. The driver fled, leading the trooper on a high-speed chase through a construction zone. The trooper followed proper protocol by requesting and receiving supervisor authorization to perform a pursuit intervention maneuver to end the chase. When stopped, the driver and passenger were charged with motor vehicle and narcotics offenses. An internal review by state police is all this case warranted. Instead, these troopers must grapple with the mental stress of an Inspector General investigation. That's Connecticut—where officers face suspension instead of support for making split-second or deliberate decisions to resolve dangerous situations, their careers in jeopardy simply for doing their jobs. This is why our state and municipalities face critical police shortages, and why those vacancies will only grow. Our law enforcement officers deserve better. We call on our Democratic colleagues in the legislature who regularly profess their support for police to join us in condemning this unnecessary and harmful inquiry by the Inspector General." Rep. Howard is a police officer and House Ranking Member of the Public Safety and Security Committee. Rep. Nuccio is House Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee and mother of a Connecticut State Trooper.

Bipartisan Legislative Forum in North Stonington Focuses on How to Navigate the CT Legislature

North Stonington, CT — On Thursday evening, State Representative Greg Howard (43rd District – Stonington, North Stonington, Ledyard) and State Representative Michael Quinn (82nd District – Meriden) teamed up to present an informative community forum in North Stonington , walking attendees through the Connecticut legislative process and the realities of lawmaking. The event, titled “How to Navigate the CT Legislature” , drew many Stonington and North Stonington residents for an interactive discussion about the journey of legislation — from an idea in its infancy to final passage — and underscored the importance of civic engagement and bipartisan cooperation. Representative Howard noted that understanding the legislative process helps residents engage more effectively with their government and emphasizes that lawmaking is a process of negotiation and compromise. “Real progress requires working together — not just when we agree, but especially when we don’t,” said Rep. Howard. “You learn very quickly in the legislature that you can’t always get exactly what you want, but by listening and working across the aisle we can find common ground that benefits our communities.” "I particularly wanted residents to know that they have a say in the laws we debate and pass; they can track, testify for or against and talk to their locally elected lawmakers about the legislation that matters to them," added Rep. Howard. Representative Quinn echoed the message of cooperation, emphasizing that navigating the legislative process requires patience, teamwork, and respect for differing viewpoints. Attendees were guided through the basic steps lawmakers follow as a piece of legislation moves through committees, debates, possible amendment stages, and final votes — illustrating that even well-intended proposals must weather many stages and require support from colleagues of both parties to become law. Both representatives expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with residents and encouraged continued public involvement in the democratic process. Residents can view the PowerPoint presentation here: https://media.cthousegop.com/How%20Does%20a%20%20Bill%20Become%20a%20Law%20Feb%2020.pdf