John Piscopo

Piscopo Joins Burlington's Jeff Bond to Testify in Support of Greater Cancer Screenings for Firefighters

HARTFORD – On Thursday afternoon, State Rep. John Piscopo (R-76) joined Burlington Volunteer Fire Department member Jeff Bond to testify in support of S.B. 410 , An Act Concerning Firefighter Cancer. The bill, currently under consideration by the Public Safety and Security Committee, would create statewide standards for cancer screenings for firefighters throughout Connecticut. >>>WATCH THEIR TESTIMONY HERE<<< According to Bond, a collaboration between the Litchfield County Firefighter Cancer Support Group and the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute led to a groundbreaking cancer screening event in September 2025 that built on prior legislation . “For the first time, we have data from a large-scale cancer screening event,” Bond said during his testimony. “Senate Bill 410 will ensure that Connecticut firefighters receive defined cancer screening guidelines.” The results were striking. Of the 50 firefighters screened, 30—about 60 percent—were referred for follow-up care. “It is well documented that certain cancers affect firefighters at higher rates than the general public,” Piscopo said. “I proposed language that will help curtail the need for costly treatment and reduce untimely deaths among our bravest.” Piscopo also noted that the legislation could ultimately save resources currently allocated to the Firefighter Cancer Relief Fund. By implementing regular screenings, early detection could reduce the number of advanced cancer cases, leaving more resources available for firefighters actively battling the disease. After discussion with committee members, the bill will receive further consideration. It must receive favorable action by Tuesday, March 17, to move forward in the legislative process. ###

Read Across America, Harwinton Consolidated School

In celebration of Read Across America, I had the pleasure of visiting Ms. Dutcher’s kindergarten class at Harwinton Consolidated School. There’s nothing quite like seeing the excitement of young readers as they gather for story time. During my visit, I shared two special selections with the students: The Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman and the timeless poem “Try, Try Again” by T. H. Palmer. The poem is featured in The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories by William Bennett, a collection that highlights important lessons about perseverance, character, and kindness. It was a joy to spend time with such enthusiastic students and to celebrate the power of reading together. Moments like these remind us how stories can spark imagination, build character, and inspire a lifelong love of learning.

Piscopo, Martin Recognize Pathfinders Motorcycle Club for Support of Thomaston Food Pantry

THOMASTON - State Sen. Henri Martin and State Rep. John Piscopo on Feb. 14 recognized the Pathfinders Motorcycle Club for its $4,000 donation to the Thomaston Food Pantry. The lawmakers joined club President Jim Blais, food pantry staff, club members, and local officials for an official check presentation at Thomaston Town Hall. Since 2022, the club has raised and donated more than $18,000 to support the pantry. “Thank you to the Pathfinders for their continued generosity and commitment to our community. This is an example of going above and beyond,” Martin and Piscopo said. “In addition to maintaining our local dirtbike trails, the Pathfinders are supporting the food pantry’s mission and helping Thomaston families in need.” ###

Piscopo: The Majority Rubber-Stamped a Slush Fund for the Governor

HARTFORD - According to State Rep. John Piscopo (R-Thomaston), Thursday's House session was disappointing. Prior to the start of this year’s session, the majority set aside $500 million to grant the governor discretionary spending authority. Over recent weeks, those funds have been allocated without oversight or legislative input. Consequently, Rep. Piscopo issued the following statement: " Today, we had an opportunity to reclaim more than $300 million of that money and return it to the state budget. We offered an amendment that would have eliminated taxes on tips and overtime pay, allowing working families to keep more of their hard-earned money. Affordability is the real crisis facing Connecticut, and this proposal would have delivered immediate relief. Instead, the amendment was voted down and the slush fund was rubber-stamped. I hope we can move past political games and focus on policies that truly address inflation and lower costs for the people of our state. " ###

2026 Session Opening Day

HARTFORD - Wednesday, February 4th, marks the opening of the 2026 legislative session of the Connecticut General Assembly. This year’s “short session” is dedicated to making targeted adjustments to the biennial state budget, while also considering legislation from all committees of cognizance. The session is scheduled to adjourn on Wednesday, May 6. As this new session begins, I look forward to advancing policies that lower the overall cost of living, address the ongoing energy cost crisis, strengthen accountability and transparency in government, and enact protections for the land and water of Connecticut. It is an honor to serve as your State Representative, and I remain committed to bringing the voices of our community to the Capitol. Your perspectives, concerns, and ideas are essential to my work, and I encourage you to reach out to my office at any time during the session. Hearing directly from you helps ensure that the decisions we make reflect the needs and priorities of our district. Session Resources To help you stay informed and engaged throughout the legislative process, I am pleased to share the following resources: Connecticut Network (CT-N) : CT-N provides live and on-demand coverage of committee meetings, public hearings, and session days. An archive of prior recorded meetings is also available and may be helpful as you follow specific issues. Connecticut General Assembly (CGA) Website: The CGA website is one of the most comprehensive tools for tracking legislative activity. It includes the daily calendar of events at the Capitol, bill information, committee schedules, and additional session-related materials. My Website: I will continue to post regular updates on my website throughout the session. I encourage you to visit often for news from the Capitol and updates on legislation impacting our community. Thank you for the privilege of representing you. I look forward to working together throughout the 2026 legislative session.