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.
Grateful for the opportunity to meet with Ben Paletsky, owner of South Farms, to hear firsthand how the state’s proposed farmland tax hikes that were “paused” this week, would have had a devastating impact on his operations and on farms across Connecticut. That is exactly why fighting to stop these tax hikes matters!
We also had an honest conversation about how difficult it has become to do business as a farmer in Connecticut. Rising costs and unnecessary burdens are squeezing farmers at every turn.
Connecticut farmers want to work with their government, not against it. These conversations matter, and direct input from the people impacted by these policies matters. I will continue standing with our farmers and fighting for a more affordable, common sense approach that keeps family farms operating and preserves our rich agricultural heritage.
Attention New Milford residents! I encourage you to attend an important upcoming Town Council Meeting to learn more and share your comments regarding the proposed battery energy storage facility.
The New Milford Town Council will hold a public workshop and discussion on the proposed Flatiron Energy TreeBeard LLC project. Representatives from zoning, inland wetlands, and the Town Council will be present for a formal presentation and to answer questions. Public comment will take place at the beginning of the meeting, giving residents an opportunity to make their voices heard.
Meeting Details:
What: Town Council Meeting & Public Comment on Battery Facility
When: Monday, January 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM
Where: New Milford High School Auditorium
Residents have raised serious concerns related to public safety, environmental impacts near the Aspetuck River, and potential effects on the local water supply. Community participation is critical as the Town Council considers next steps.
How to Participate:
- Attend in person and speak during public comment
- Watch online via the Town of New Milford’s YouTube channel
🚜 Our district knows farming isn’t a hobby, it’s a way of life.
From family farms to preserved open space, agriculture is part of what makes the Northwest Corner special. When state policies threaten working farmland with sudden tax hikes, it doesn’t just hurt farmers; it hurts all of our communities.
Yeaterday, I stood with local farmers who took time away from their operations to speak up about the PA-490 farmland tax changes. Their message was clear: stop making it harder to farm and sustain a living in Connecticut.
A temporary pause from the Governor doesn’t solve the problem. Our farmers deserve long-term certainty, fair treatment, and a state government that understands the real-world impact of its decisions.
➡️Stand with our farmers: savectland.org.