Bumgardner runs unopposed for 41st House District

Oct. 18—State Rep. Aundré Bumgardner, D-Groton, said he is running for re-election to the 41st House District because he believes southeastern Connecticut's future depends on strong, inclusive leadership that can tackle the pressing issues facing the district and the state.

"Over the past few years, we've made progress in areas like environmental protection, economic growth, and civil rights and social justice issues, but there is still more work to be done," Bumgardner said. "I personally want to continue fighting for a more sustainable and equitable Connecticut, one where families can thrive, young people can find affordable housing, and businesses can grow, while also protecting our natural resources."

Bumgardner, 30, a former Groton Town Councilor who is married and lives in Mystic, is running unopposed for the district, which covers parts of Groton and Stonington. He first served the district from 2015 to 2017, when it then covered parts of Groton and New London, and was elected to his second term in 2022. He serves on the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, Environment Committee, Planning and Development Committee, Climate Caucus and is the secretary of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus.

Bumgardner will also appear on the ballot as the candidates for the Working Families and Independent parties.

Bumgardner, who has a 100% score from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, said his commitment to open space, wetlands and environmental quality remains unwavering. He's focused on improving infrastructure, especially with respect to the coastline, where 20-inch sea level rise is expected by 2050, and said it's imperative to prepare communities for rising tides.

"I want to make sure that we build on the progress we made, while ensuring that future generations have the opportunities and resources they need to succeed," he added.

He said he is most proud of the work he's done to get to know his district and meet with small business owners, nonprofits, institutions, farmers, fishermen, and restaurants about how state government impacts them.

As part of serving on the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, he said he was able to distribute $300,000 in youth violence prevention grants over two years to nonprofits in the district, investments that he said reflect his commitment to addressing the root causes of violence within communities by focusing on prevention, education and positive youth development.

Bumgardner said the issue of short-term rentals is a priority for his next term. Bumgardner said that while regulating short-term rentals is best left to municipalities, he proposes Connecticut follow Massachusetts and New York's lead and create a statewide registry of short-term rentals. He also proposes that the state remit a portion of the revenue from the state lodging tax to municipalities and also give municipalities the option to impose a supplemental tax, collected by the state, on short-term rentals.

He said another top priority is supporting municipal utilities. He submitted a bill in 2023 to allow ratepayers in political subdivisions and fire districts to vote to join a public electric utility or start their own. The bill received a public hearing but was not called for a vote.

He said he saw this year a "tale of two cities," with ratepayers on the western side of Groton celebrating a 9.5% rate decrease provided by Groton Utilities, while Eversource ratepayers on the Groton side of Mystic and in Noank and Stonington in some cases seeing their electric bill doubled. He said the issue is the ownership structure of a utility: Groton Utilities is owned by a municipality so profits are invested back into maintaining infrastructure, its workforce and keeping electric rates low, rather than shareholders.

Bumgardner said passage of a comprehensive climate action bill is another top priority. He said he was a co-author of H.B. 5004, which passed the House, but did not receive a vote in the Senate.

Bumgardner, who is now a Democrat but was first elected to the legislature as a Republican, said it's important climate issues are not treated in a partisan matter. He said he will work to build support for the measure across party lines and take on a greater leadership role within the Environment Committee and the Climate Caucus.

Aundré Bumgardner

Connecticut has $37 billion in unfunded pension obligations and a history of mismanaging its pension program. How should the state pay down this pension debt? What changes would you propose, if any, to existing pension programs for state and municipal employees? Be specific.

Connecticut's $37 billion unfunded pension obligation requires a balanced approach to ensure long-term sustainability without overburdening taxpayers. As a legislator, I voted to keep in place fiscal guardrails like the volatility cap and the 2017 pension agreement, which have allowed us to make full pension payments and reduce reliance on one-time fixes. I have also never voted for a tax increase while serving in the Connecticut legislature."

To pay down the debt, we should continue using surplus funds and revenue from above-average investment returns to strengthen the state's pension reserves. Maintaining fiscal discipline and staying on this path is crucial for reducing our long-term liabilities. As a member of the Finance, Revenue, & Bonding Committee and its Bonding Obligation Subcommittee, I am prepared to work with our leadership, the Governor, and the State Treasurer on these measures.

For future pension programs, I believe we should honor the current agreements for state and municipal employees without introducing major changes. By collaborating with labor unions and stakeholders, we can protect earned benefits while keeping the state on a sustainable financial path. We should also continue promoting workforce development and retention strategies to reduce pension stress caused by turnover.

Rents are unaffordable for many working, disabled and retired people and youth are losing hope that they'll ever be able to afford a home. Do you believe the state needs more affordable housing? If yes, what specific proposals would you recommend to increase affordable housing? If no, why is more affordable housing not needed?

Yes, Connecticut needs more affordable housing. I support measures to ensure that working families, seniors, and young people can afford to live in our district. After hearing from residents of Branford Manor and Poquonnock Bridge, I advocate for the Just Cause Eviction moratorium, which protects tenants from unjust evictions.

Additionally, the proliferation of short-term rentals has worsened the affordable housing crisis by reducing the availability of long-term rentals and driving up costs.

To address housing affordability, I support expanding accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and incentivizing transit-oriented, mixed-income, mixed-use infill development in areas with underutilized strip malls and surface parking lots. This helps meet housing needs without contributing to sprawl, which degrades our community's environmental quality and wetlands.

I also advocate for supporting Housing Authorities with infrastructure investments and assisting municipalities in endowing their Affordable Housing Trusts. I'm proud that the majority leader's housing bill, signed by Governor Lamont, included my proposal to make all housing complaint forms available in Spanish—a critical step for Groton residents who lack proficiency in English.

With the surge in employment at Electric Boat, housing will remain a priority. By taking these steps, we can create more affordable housing and protect our communities' long-term well-being.

Is climate change a problem for the state? If yes, what specific proposals would you recommend to address climate change. If no, why is it not a problem?

Climate change is a pressing issue for Connecticut, particularly for coastal communities like Groton, Mystic, and Stonington. The projected sea level rise of 20 inches by 2050 poses significant threats to our infrastructure, economy, and way of life. To combat this crisis, we must prioritize coastal protection measures such as green infrastructure and marsh restoration.

Accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources like solar power is essential. We must also focus on decarbonizing our transportation sector and promoting energy-efficient practices in homes, businesses, and public buildings. For instance, using heat pumps for HVAC can significantly reduce emissions.

As a co-introducer and sponsor of HB 5004, the Connecticut Climate Protection Act, I am dedicated to enhancing coastal resilience and adaptation. Although the bill passed the House, it was not called for a vote in the Senate. I am proud to have received a 100% rating from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters and to have successfully advocated for a riparian buffers amendment that included stormwater infrastructure funding to acquire conservation easements along waterways like the Thames, Mystic, and Pawcatuck Rivers.

By implementing sustainable land use practice, we can protect our communities and ensure a resilient future for generations to come.