04/10/2026
Transparency Begins with the Numbers.
That’s why I voted Thursday in support of HB 5039, which incorporates many of the items that I and my fellow House Republicans have been calling for to provide oversight to the legislative "earmark" process. As part of that, we introduced a set of practical reforms to ensure taxpayer dollars are tracked, reported, and used as intended.
And if you haven’t heard, the flow of money in Hartford has led to a federal investigation, which is why it was critical to address this issue.
This bill didn’t provide every item that we have been asking for, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The proposal:
➡️Requires those earmarks be distributed in a manner that ensures they’re used for, and achieve, their intended purpose.
➡️Prohibits state agencies from providing earmarks unless the recipient is specifically identified (legal name/DBA/address), and there’s a specific description of the intended purpose for which the funds will be used.
➡️Recipients must get prior approval before transferring any funds to a subrecipient and subrecipients must provide the same information as the recipient.
These are straightforward, responsible steps that improve accountability and help restore public confidence in how state resources are managed. I supported the bill and look forward toward its passage.
