David Rutigliano

Trumbull Legislators Sponsor Retired Flag Collection

Trumbull Legislators Sponsor Retired Flag Collection TRUMBULL- With Flag Day a little more than a month away, it's the perfect time to properly retire your worn, faded, and tattered American flags as you prepare to put on fresh new displays of the Stars and Stripes. State Reps. David Rutigliano (R-123), Ben McGorty (R-122) and Tony Scott (R-112), in cooperation with the Trumbull American Legion Post #141, are encouraging Trumbull residents to dispose of their worn American flags in a dignified and respectful way. Republican House members have made the flag collection an annual tradition for the last 14 years to commemorate Flag Day. The Trumbull legislators have provided three locations that residents can drop off their worn American flags for proper ceremonial disposal according to the U.S. Flag Code, plus an additional day to drop flags off to the State Representatives. Drop-off locations will receive flags from May 1 st - June 13 th . The drop-off locations are: Trumbull Town Hall at 5866 Main Street, Trumbull Trumbull Library (Main Branch) at 33 Quality Street, Trumbull Fairchild-Nichols Memorial Library on 1718 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull Additionally, the Trumbull lawmakers will host a final drive-up flag donation event for your worn and tattered flags at the Middlebrook Elementary School on 220 Middlebrooks Avenue in Trumbull on Saturday June 13 th from 9:00am-11:00am . In 1916, Flag Day was officially established as June 14 th by President Woodrow Wilson marking the anniversary of the Second Continental Congress passing a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation”. The U.S. Flag Code specifies that old American flags no longer in service must be properly disposed. The collected flags will be given to the American Legion Post #141 for proper retirement during a ceremony on June 14. For additional information please call (800) 842-1423.

Trumbull State Officials Recognize Participants in Annual Women’s History Month Essay Contest

Trumbull State Officials Recognize Participants in Annual Women’s History Month Essay Contest TRUMBULL — State Representatives David Rutigliano (R-123) and Tony Scott (R-112) recently honored the winner and runner-up of their Annual House of Representatives Women’s History Month Essay Contest during a ceremony at Madison Middle School. Earlier this year, the legislators partnered with Madison Middle School to invite sixth-grade students to participate in the contest as part of Women’s History Month in March. Students were asked to submit essays on the topic: “Important Women in Connecticut’s History and How Their Contributions to the State and Nation Affect Me.” Each student wrote a 300-word essay highlighting a notable Connecticut woman, exploring her life, accomplishments, and the personal impact of her contributions. During the ceremony, the first-place winner shared thoughtful reflections on an influential woman in history and her personal connection to the subject. “This contest is a great way to engage students in learning about the important role women have played in shaping our state and nation,” said Rep. Rutigliano. “I want to thank all the students for their hard work. They are outstanding representatives of Trumbull, and I was truly inspired by their presentations.” “I want to congratulate our contest winners for going above and beyond in their work,” said Rep. Scott. “Each student submitted a well-researched and meaningful essay, and it’s encouraging to see this level of effort and enthusiasm.” Madison Middle School Winners: Winner: Shanvi Panthangi — Rosa Ponselle Runner-Up: Catalina Andrade — Prudence Crandall

Rutigliano: Sweeping Cannabis Expansion Bill Goes Too Far, Puts Public Safety and Youth at Risk

( House Video ) HARTFORD — State Representative David Rutigliano (R–Trumbull) voiced strong opposition to a sweeping cannabis expansion bill being advanced by the House Democratic majority, warning that the proposal weakens key safeguards, expands access beyond reasonable limits, and prioritizes industry growth over public health and safety in Connecticut. “This bill is a massive overreach that dismantles many of the common-sense guardrails put in place when cannabis was first commercialized,” said Rep. Rutigliano. “It opens the floodgates—raising THC potency, loosening marketing restrictions, and expanding access in ways that raise serious concerns for parents, law enforcement, and public health professionals.” Rutigliano pointed to several concerning provisions in House Bill 5350, An Act Concerning Cannabis, Hemp and Infused Beverage Regulation : Eliminates potency limits on cannabis flower and concentrates, allowing significantly stronger products into the market Loosens packaging and branding restrictions , permitting colorful, logo-driven designs that may appeal to minors Increases allowable THC levels in infused beverages Permits out-of-state patients and caregivers to purchase cannabis across state lines, raising potential federal compliance concerns Expands access to palliative-use products and redefines hemp-derived cannabinoids in ways that could create regulatory loopholes “We should not be making it easier to market high-potency THC products or creating new avenues for consumption without fully understanding the long-term psychological and public health consequences,” Rutigliano added. “We heard clear testimony from medical professionals and prevention experts warning that this is the wrong direction.” Rutigliano noted that while Connecticut continues to expand its cannabis framework, other states are beginning to reassess the impact of commercialization—particularly as it relates to youth use, addiction, and impaired driving. “I am not advocating for re-criminalization,” Rutigliano said. “But we need a thoughtful, responsible approach that prioritizes safety, accountability, and the well-being of our communities. This bill falls well short of that standard.”

Rutigliano Stands Shoulder to Shoulder with Carpenters at Tax Day Wage Theft Rally

HARTFORD — State Representative David Rutigliano (R–Trumbull) stood shoulder to shoulder with union carpenters and labor leaders at the State Capitol today for the annual Tax Day Wage Theft Rally, calling attention to ongoing tax fraud and wage theft in Connecticut’s construction industry. Held on the steps of the Capitol, the rally is part of a nationwide day of action organized each year on Tax Day, with union carpenters across the country standing in solidarity to highlight the impact of illegal labor practices on workers, taxpayers, and law-abiding contractors. Rep. Rutigliano was invited to speak at this year’s event in recognition of his continued efforts to address wage theft and promote fair competition in the construction industry. This year, the legislature is considering House Bill 5275, An Act Concerning a Contractor's Responsibility for Unpaid Wages on a Construction Contract , aimed at strengthening accountability for unpaid wages in the construction sector. “At the end of the day, this comes down to basic fairness— if you put in a full day’s work, you deserve a full day’s pay. Period, ” said Rep. Rutigliano. “Wage theft and tax fraud hurt everyone—they cheat working men and women out of what they’ve earned, undercut honest contractors trying to do the right thing, and shift the burden onto taxpayers.” Rutigliano emphasized that while the problem is real and must be addressed, solutions must be carefully crafted to target bad actors without harming responsible small businesses or homeowners. “We need to hold accountable those who game the system and exploit workers, but we also have to make sure we’re not unintentionally hurting small contractors, local businesses, or families making improvements to their homes,” he said. “We can—and should—do both: protect workers and preserve opportunity for the people doing things the right way.” Organizers stressed the importance of bipartisan cooperation in addressing wage theft, noting that the issue transcends politics and directly impacts working families across Connecticut. “I’m proud to stand with Connecticut’s carpenters,” Rutigliano added. “This is about dignity, respect, and making sure that hard work is rewarded the way it should be.”

Rutigliano Supports Bill to Increase Transparency and Accountability on Connecticut Earmarks

HARTFORD—State Rep. David Rutigliano on Thursday voted in support of legislation that would add new transparency, reporting and oversight requirements to legislatively directed funds, more commonly known as earmarks. The legislation, H.B. 5039, was developed in response to media scrutiny of state funding provided to nonprofit and community organizations. A federal probe into a Hartford-based organization that received state funding, combined with sustained pressure from House Republicans, proved to be a catalyst for change. The scrutiny has centered on the Blue Hills Civic Association, a Hartford-based nonprofit that received more than $15 million in state funds in recent years. A state audit released in early 2026 found serious problems with how Blue Hills spent taxpayer money, including what auditors described as a troubling pattern of financial mismanagement and a breakdown of internal controls. The Blue Hills controversy compounded broader Republican concerns about earmarks during the 2025 debate over the two-year budget, with House and Senate GOP leaders later holding a press conference pointing to several nonprofit recipients they said lacked any verifiable public presence or track record of work. "We are looking to protect taxpayers' dollars, which includes Trumbull taxpayer dollars, plain and simple. For too long, earmarks have been decided behind closed doors with little explanation or oversight. This reform shines a light on that process and ensures decisions are made in the open, where they belong,” said Rep. Rutigliano, a Deputy House Republican Leader. Among the most impactful elements of the legislation are reforms targeting a current gap in the system that allows earmark recipients to pass funds along to other organizations without approval, transparency, or accountability. Under the bill, that practice would require prior approval, and any organization receiving passed-along funds would face the same transparency requirements as the original earmark recipient. The legislation also requires the Office of Policy and Management (OPM)—the governor's budget office—to provide quarterly reports to the Appropriations, Finance and Government Oversight committees on disbursements to date and plans for remaining funds. Earmark recipients must also report annually to the administering state agency on how they and any organizations they passed funds to used the money. OPM would be required to post that information to a publicly accessible website. The bill further directs OPM to establish policies requiring funding recipients to disclose key organizational details, from the entity's legal name and leadership information to certifications that neither the recipient nor any organization they passed funds to has been convicted of or found civilly liable for fraud in connection with a government contract. OPM must share details of those policies with the leaders of the General Assembly. House Republicans have spent the past two years sounding the alarm on government transparency, accountability, and corruption. Among their proposals was the creation of an independent inspector general empowered to investigate abuses of public dollars and resources, a position they argued would give Connecticut a dedicated watchdog with real teeth.