Thee application period for the 2023-2024 winter season of the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) will begin on September 1, 2023. The program helps Connecticut residents – including both homeowners and renters – with the costs associated with heating their homes.

Basic benefits toward heating bills range from $180 to $530 depending on income, size of household, and need. Benefits are available for households with incomes up to 60% of the state median income, which equates to roughly $79,910…

Hartford — The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is accepting written comments on two proposed regulations, one that would ban the sales of new gas-powered passenger cars (beginning in 2035) and another that would gradually prohibit the sale of new gas-powered trucks that are used to ship goods and provide essential services.

A Public Hearing for passenger vehicles (PR 2023-023) will take place on August 22, 2023 at 9:00 am.

Hearing Link: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/j/81807291329…

Temperatures over the next several days are expected to be very hot and humid. Governor Lamont is directing Connecticut’s extreme hot weather protocol to be activated and in effect through 8am on Sunday, July 30.

While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies, municipalities, and other partners to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to make sure that information regarding cooling centers is available statewide, providing a location to get some relief.

Cooling centers are opening statewide. Anyone…

Several new laws will take effect July 1st that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I have highlighted some of the public protection laws below.

An expanded list of those that will take effect on July 1, along with summaries, can be accessed here. A summary of all major public acts passed this session is also available online.

A summary of some new laws include:

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PROTECTIONS AGAINST AND RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

This bill expands the Judicial…

The Office of Legislative Research has compiled its 2023 Major Public Acts report. This report details the action of the legislature in 2023, with brief summaries of major policy changes. These summaries include the recently approved state budget, tax relief, and various consumer protections.

More detailed summaries can be found at https://cga.ct.gov/olr/. OLR also produces a number of “Acts Affecting” reports highlighting legislation in various policy areas, which will be available online later…

I want to hear from you. I’m asking you to take this brief survey. It is important for me as an elected official to know what the constituents I represent think about different issues of the day.

Please complete my survey below:

Hartford—A $51 billion, two-year bipartisan budget was approved by the House on a vote of 139-12.

State Representative Bill Pizzuto (R-71) voted in favor of broad-based tax relief to Connecticut residents. The budget reduces the income tax from 5% to 4.50% and 3% to 2% and eliminates the benefits cliff by phasing out the income tax exemption for pension & annuity income and individual retirement accounts.

“I’m pleased that this plan also makes historic investments in education and provides more funding…

Hartford— The House has unanimously passed a comprehensive bill concerning resources and support services for residents with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD).

Rep. Bill Pizzuto (R-71) voted for HB 5001, which includes a number of bills brought up for public hearings by the Human Services Committee this session. Among other provisions, this bill would minimize waiting lists for support services, housing, and increase workforce development for individuals with an intellectual or…

Hartford—State Representative Bill Pizzuto (R-71) is applauding a $115,000 grant awarded to the Town of Middlebury from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Grant program. Middlebury, Bethel, and Kent will be joining 15 other municipalities, including Newtown, to implement innovative pilot programs to collect residential food scraps and reduce trash and collect food scraps.

DEEP is awarding $577,000 in total grant funding, including…