State Senator Stephen Harding
State Senator Stephen Harding
Senate Minority Leader
Stephen Harding, named Senate Minority Leader in 2024, represents Connecticut’s 30th Senate District. He was first elected to the Senate in 2022 after serving four terms in the 107th House District. A lawyer and Brookfield resident for nearly 30 years, Senator Harding has been involved with local boards and is a coach for youth sports. He serves as Ranking Member of the Environment Committee and Legislative Management Committee. He is also a member on the Education, Finance, and Judiciary Committees.
Today, CT Senate Republicans are calling out Democrats for advancing an “emergency” bill that prioritizes their political agenda while ignoring the real emergency people across Connecticut are facing: AFFORDABILITY.
Instead of focusing on lowering the high cost-of-living, Democrats are protecting incarcerated child abusers, reviving legislation that was previously rejected or vetoed, and directing more taxpayer dollars to politically connected insiders.
Senate Republicans are offering common sense solutions to cut taxes, return $1.5 billion to taxpayers, and strengthen oversight and accountability to ensure public funds are spent responsibly and transparently.
📢YOUR VOICE MATTERS — SIGN UP TO TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF H.B. 5249
On Tuesday, February 24, at 12:00 PM, the Energy & Technology Committee will hold a public hearing on H.B. 5249, legislation that ensures PURA can fully review and rule on the potential acquisition of a water company by the South-Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority.
This bill strengthens oversight, clarifies authority, and protects ratepayers by making sure any deal receives a full and proper review. If you support transparency and strong regulatory oversight, we need you to speak up.
HOW TO TESTIFY:
-Register online using the Online Testimony Registration Form: zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AxazXVXtSE2i8Y2eswry6A
-Deadline to register: Monday, February 23 at 3:00 PM
-The hearing will be held in Room 1D at the Legislative Office Building and via Zoom: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwAxOM8vAns
-It can be viewed live on YouTube or CT-N: ct-n.com/
-No internet access? Call 860-240-0430 to register by phone
-Written testimony may also be submitted online: www.cga.ct.gov/aspx/CGATestimonySub/CGAtestimonysubmission.aspx?comm_code=ET
-Speakers are limited to 3 minutes, so plan to keep remarks concise.
Public participation is critical. If you care about accountability, transparency, and protecting water customers, please sign up and make your voice heard.
Let’s show strong support for H.B. 5249!
Today, I stood with my fellow CT Senate and House Republican colleagues to lay out a clear plan to bring integrity, transparency, and accountability back to state government.
When taxpayer dollars are handed out without proper oversight, politically connected organizations are prioritized, and scandals become routine — people pay the price. In a state already struggling with a cost-of-living crisis, that’s simply wrong.
Our plan is designed to increase oversight and transparency, and make sure government answers to the people.
The days of treating taxpayer money like it’s sitting on a shelf waiting to be grabbed must come to an end.
Connecticut residents deserve honesty, transparency, and accountability from their government.