During the 2022 legislative session, Hughes & Cronin facilitated passage of the first gas cylinder Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law in the United States. This innovative legislation aimed to address the environmental and safety concerns associated with the disposal of these pressurized containers.

Our Team developed a strategy and connected our client, Worthington Industries, with leaders from the legislature’s Environment Committee, DEEP, and other agencies, to gain support for our proposal.

The strategy was a success, and the bill was passed with widespread support by the end of the legislative session. It was signed by Governor Lamont on May 10, 2022. Hughes & Cronin also helped assist Worthington Industries and DEEP in the coordination of a pilot program, which led to the collection and recycling of nearly 2,000 one-pound propane cylinders at Hammonasset Beach State Park Campground at the end of September 2023.

In January of 2022, Hughes & Cronin took on management of the CT School Transportation Association (COSTA), which had been struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within a few months, the association was stabilized and experiencing renewed growth. A custom website was built in-house, members became more engaged and informed, and board subcommittees were established to work on legislative and regulatory goals.

Despite the positive trends within the association, the industry as a whole was still experiencing a severe school bus driver shortage. With the school year fast approaching, our team organized a weeklong recruitment event, engaging agency leaders at the CT Dept. of Motor Vehicles and the CT Dept. of Education, all local news outlets, and COSTA members. The event proved to be successful, as members shared news of an influx of applications throughout the week and following the event.

Hughes & Cronin successfully organized a local coalition in Westerly, Rhode Island, to contest a zoning proposal that would have facilitated a large-scale development project. Concerned business owners approached the firm, citing potential negative impacts on their existing operations and the town’s overall economic health.

After conducting a thorough assessment, Hughes & Cronin formed a coalition with the initial group of business owners, expanding its reach to include other local businesses and residents. The firm educated the community about the proposed zoning change, highlighting concerns about market saturation and the potential lack of demand for such a development.

Through strategic outreach to town council members and the engagement of a specialized legal team, Hughes & Cronin successfully challenged the proposal’s completeness and delayed its advancement. As a result, the project remains in limbo, years later, as the developers continue to gather the necessary documentation to resubmit their proposal.