The Platform
Make Connecticut Affordable
Make Connecticut Affordable
Make Connecticut Affordable
This past year I voted to LOWER taxes but the cost of living in Connecticut is still far to high.
Safer Communities
Make Connecticut Affordable
Make Connecticut Affordable
We need to continue to support our First Responders so they can keep our communities safe.
No High Density Housing
Make Connecticut Affordable
No High Density Housing
Opposed to statewide zoning initiatives and is committed to keeping the Northwest Hills scenic and open.
Lower Electric Rates
Supporting CT Businesses
No High Density Housing
Connecticut needs to fundamentally reevaluate our energy policies and regulations to lower the outrageous cost of energy in our state.
Supporting CT Businesses
Supporting CT Businesses
Supporting CT Businesses
Implementing policies that stimulate economic development, attract businesses, and create job opportunities within the district.
Education
Supporting CT Businesses
Supporting CT Businesses
Advocating for increased funding for education, ensuring that our schools have the resources they need to provide a high-quality learning experience for every student.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
Supporting investments in critical infrastructure projects to enhance transportation, promote public safety, and contribute to overall community development.
About Stephen Harding
Stephen Harding was elected to his first term representing the 30th District in the State Senate in 2022 after four terms serving the people of the 107th House District. The 30th State Senate District is the largest geographically in the state comprising the communities of Bethlehem, Brookfield, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Fairfield, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Sherman, Torrington, Warren, Washington, Winchester.
Rep. Harding serves as the Minority Leader of the State Senate on behalf of the Republican Caucus. Steve is the Ranking Member of the Legislature’s Environment Committee, and as a member of the Judiciary Committee, Education Committee, and the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee.
After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Albertus Magnus college, Harding pursued his law degree at New York Law School in Manhattan. After graduation from New York Law, Harding was admitted to the Connecticut Bar and currently operates his own law practice in Danbury.
Harding has served the town of Brookfield in various capacities. He has served on both the Zoning Board of Appeals and Brookfield Board of Education, where he chaired the Board’s Policy Subcommittee. In addition, he is a member of Brookfield Cares, an organization which addresses substance abuse and other mental health issues facing the town and surrounding communities. In youth sports, Harding has volunteered as a coach and is an executive board member of the Brookfield Baseball and Softball Association.
Harding has been a resident of Brookfield for nearly 30 years, where he currently lives with his wife, Kelly, son, Carter, daughter, Piper, and golden retriever, Kennedy.
Accomplishments
Lower Taxes
The changes enacted in 2024 will see a decrease in the state income tax rates from 5% to 4.5 % for the middle class and from 3% to 2% for the lower income.
Passage of Critical Bear Management Legislation
Passed a last to establish permits for the taking of bear that damage crops, livestock or bees, authorize the killing of bears that cause harm to a person or pet or that enter an occupied building, and prohibit the intentional and unintentional feeding of potentially dangerous animals.
Sharon Hospital Labor & Delivery Department
On August 28, 2023, Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy (OHS) announced its Final Decision to reject Nuvance Health’s application to terminate the labor and delivery services at Sharon Hospital in Sharon, CT. With bipartisan advocacy, OHS made the correct decision to prevent the closure of the Maternity Ward.
Pro-Business Recognition
Senator Stephen Harding is proud to have received a 100% pro-business record on CBIA’s annual legislative scorecard in both 2023 & 2024. This scorecard evaluated key votes on ten pivotal bills, specifically chosen for their potential impact on Connecticut’s economy and overall business climate.
Electric Vehicle Mandate Reversal
While dedicated to the expansion of more environmentally friendly vehicles, the impracticality of banning the new sales of internal combustion engine cars by 2035 is the antithesis to a pragmatic policy. Until Connecticut's power grid can support this transition by producing clean energy to power these vehicles and the purchasing price for consumers comes down, this mandate would have crippled Connecticut residents.
Preservation of Open Space
With Senator Harding's Support, acres of open space has been preserved throughout the 30th District. So much so that New Milford, Salisbury and Sharon rank in the top five in the sate in square miles of open land.In May of 2024, the State announced over 8 million dollars in open space grant funding that will preserve over 1,800 acres of open space throughout the 30th district.
DOT Safety Measures
Senator Harding has been instrumental in working with the DOT to conduct a Safety Audit of a three mile stretch of Route 7 in New Milford in real time to determine how the state road can be made safer.
Publish Safety Funding Secured
Senator Harding and other members of the New Milford delegation, helped secured funding from The State Bond Commission, allocating $59,217 for the New Milford’s Police Department for the use of body and dashcams and the necessary storage for the footage taken while officers are on duty.
CT Dept. of Agriculture Enhancement Grant Funding
CT Junior Republic in Litchfield is the recipient of a $49,999 Connecticut Department of Agriculture DoAg Agricultural Enhancement Grant. The grant will replace a structurally unsound pole barn with a new and improved barn that will support the CT Junior Republic’s agricultural curriculum and programs, including animal training, animal birthing, livestock showing, and much more.
2023 STEAP Funding
In 2023, we helped provide millions in funding to our small towns through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), a grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.
-Brookfield: $489,000 in state funding is approved for town hall campus renovations. This will be matched by $100,000 from the town.
-Goshen: $500,000 in state funding is approved for a new public works facility. This will be matched by $500,000 in town funds.
-Litchfield: $500,000 in state funding is approved for the reconstruction of East Litchfield Road. This will be matched by $771,784 in town funds.
-Morris: $500,000 in state funding is approved for the John Weik Bridge reconstruction. This will be matched by $200,000 in town funds.
-New Fairfield: $475,272 in state funding is approved for upgrades to the town green. This will be matched by $413,117 in town funds.
-Sherman: $240,000 in state funding is approved for new recreational facilities. This will be matched by $48,000 in town funds.
-Winchester: $250,000 in state funding is approved for the renovation of the community resource center.
Non-Profit Grant Funding
$1.45 Million State Grants To Support Nonprofit Providers With Capital Improvement Projects (2024).
Brookfield – Regional YMCA of Western CT: $193,255 (ADA Improvements for Camp Greenknoll).
Litchfield – Connecticut Junior Republic Association: $239,000 (IT Equipment Replacement), Connecticut Junior Republic Association: $400,000 (Electronic Card Key Access & Panic Button System), Connecticut Junior Republic Association: $320,000 (Vehicle Purchase).
Torrington – McCall Foundation: $320,000 (Facility Upgrades, Renovations, Improvements, and Additional at Hotchkiss House Residential Program).
Photo Gallery
.jpg/:/rs=w:370,cg:true,m)
Fundraising
We are no longer accepting donations! Thanks to your financial support, have met our fundraising goal to qualify for the Citizens Election Fund. Thank you!
Request a Lawn Sign!
Email andrew@harding24.com to get yours!