John-Michael Parker

After months of negotiation, House Democrats shepherded passage of a bipartisan budget demonstrating that compromise remains the most effective way to govern.

Together, we produced a 2027 budget that significantly boosts support for the state’s education system, increases crucial investments in housing and transportation, supports town and city budgets, and more—all while safeguarding the state's strong fiscal outlook, including $1 billion toward paying down long-term debt.

This budget includes:

Over $300 million relief package for cities, towns, and schools

• $190 million in direct support for schools
• $100 million to address local tax increases
• $12 million to establish universal free school breakfast programs across the state
• Expanded grants for successful special education programs
• Numerous grants to towns to address the rising costs associated with construction and purchasing
• $4 million to help communities where three hospitals abruptly came off the tax rolls

A historic agreement with our hospitals

• Providing them with much-needed tax relief
• Maximizing federal funding for health care
• Setting up a system to address rising costs

More investments in transportation options for our residents

• Increased funding for Shoreline East rail
• Funded successful "micro-transit" public transportation programs
• Helped prevent hikes in bus fares

Making Connecticut more affordable for working families

• Expanding sales tax-free week to include clothing, shoes, and backpacks under $300 (from $100)
• Making basic school supplies tax-free, including backpacks, lunchboxes, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, rulers, and paper
• Creating a family caregiver tax credit for residents caring for a loved one

Investing in Connecticut businesses and job growth

• Helping small businesses offer health care support by providing a tax credit when they contribute toward employees’ individual health insurance coverage.
• Supporting small businesses and biotech companies through a new research and development tax credit to help them grow and create jobs in our state

Taking Aim at Property Taxes

• $162M new Education Equalization Grant to address underfunding in our current school funding formula
  
  • Additional 2% for the towns that have seen recent population decreases
• $100M in new funding to cities and towns

Connecticut residents made a call for help in many areas. Connecticut lawmakers heard it and answered in a strong, bipartisan way.

Connecticut House Democrats are making targeted, meaningful investments in the people who keep our communities strong — from first responders and veterans to nurses, teachers, and blue-collar workers.

We passed legislation backing those who serve by expanding support for police, firefighters, and veterans. That includes state-backed health insurance for families of fallen volunteer firefighters and state marshals, mortgage assistance for first responders, and stronger recruitment and training efforts. We’re also building on successful partnerships between law enforcement and mental health professionals, improving access to jobs and benefits for veterans, and creating new tuition assistance opportunities for those serving here at home.

At the same time, we’re strengthening protections for workers. Nurses and teachers will have better safeguards if they’re injured on the job, including help covering lost wages and expenses. Paraeducators will have greater financial stability, and workers across industries — especially those in high-risk or subcontracted roles — will see stronger protections, fairer pay practices, and safer working conditions. We’re also ensuring workplace standards keep pace with modern needs, including guaranteed break time for nursing mothers.

Additionally, we’re helping employers build stronger workplaces by investing in workforce development. From training programs for certified nurse assistants to better coordination between educators and industry, these efforts are designed to connect people to good-paying jobs while helping businesses grow.

The bill also includes stipulations for virtual monitoring in home care, increased penalties for noncompliance with staffing requirements in hospitals, and mandates for remote work during inclement weather.

This bill was intended to create safer and more equitable work environments and support the needs of several employee groups across Connecticut. We think it does. For a closer look at the legislation, please click HERE.

This is about standing with the people who serve and support our state — and making sure Connecticut continues to work for them.

After several recent tragedies involving children in Connecticut and growing calls for more accountability in our child welfare system, House Democrats are taking action in the 2026 legislative session.

The Committee on Children is leading HB5004, which will:

• Prioritize placing children with family members and responsible adults who are already in their lives.
• Make sure there is follow-up with sister agencies when DCF-involved children travel out of state.
• Support caregivers and children with funding for after-school programs, childcare, and incidentals.
• Uplift our child welfare workforce through improved training, stipends for mentors and mentees, and personal emergency communication devices.
• Require additional eyes on children who are the subject of multiple reports of abuse or neglect, and those residing with someone on parole or probation after incarceration for serious crimes against children.
• Provide robust real-time data for policymakers and the public on DCF performance through a user-friendly dashboard.
• Establish a new committee to gather legislators, state agencies, experts, and stakeholders to review our child welfare policies and performance and make recommendations for improvements.

This significant legislation reflects a bipartisan effort to reform the Department of Children and Families with policies and procedures that put children first, and a commitment to continued attention to this important issue.

The legislature recently passed two bills related to responsible use of artificial intelligence in Connecticut.

The first is Senate Bill 5: An Act Concerning Online Safety, AKA the C.A.R.T. Act.

The C.A.R.T. Act creates clear standards for powerful AI systems, while preparing Connecticut's residents, workers, students, small businesses, public agencies, and institutions for an AI-driven economy.
 
AI is already affecting our economy, workplaces, online platforms, and the information Connecticut residents encounter every day. Senate Bill 5 responds to the new reality of AI through targeted protections, transparency for consumers, and system accountability.

This legislation targets areas where AI is making a meaningful impact on residents' lives, including employment-related automated decision tools, consumer disclosures, synthetic media provenance, youth online safety, and workforce preparation.
 
Connecticut residents are already being impacted by AI systems. It is our state's responsibility to take action to set clear expectations to keep residents protected from harmful AI practices.

Senate Bill 5 now moves to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

The second is Senate Bill 4: An Act Concerning Consumer Privacy and Protection will safeguard Connecticut residents’ personal information from exploitation by data brokers, surveillance technology companies, and federal agencies.

This bill makes it easier to exercise your right to delete your data from data brokers and people tracking websites and prevents predatory surveillance pricing. As technology evolves, our laws must evolve with it. Senate Bill 4 takes critical action to strengthen privacy protections, promote transparency, and ensure Connecticut consumers are treated fairly.
Senate Bill 4 will target the following specific threats to consumer privacy:

• Data brokers: Consumers may request, at no cost, the deletion of any personal data collected by a data broker.
• Dynamic pricing: Strict disclosure requirements apply when businesses use algorithmic pricing to increase prices.
• Geolocation data: Controllers and processors are banned from selling or sharing precise geolocation data.
• Genetic Testing: Consumers would have the right to their own genetic data when using direct to consumer genetic testing services and create more transparency in their policies.
• Volume of Ads: Streaming platforms cannot transmit the audio of any commercial advertisement at a volume that is louder than the volume established by the Federal Communications Commission for television commercials.

Connecticut has striven to be a leader in renewable energy, and this approach ensures we keep moving forward while prioritizing affordability. HB 5340 modernizes Connecticut’s renewable energy programs by introducing measures meant to make them more reliable, consistent, and flexible to economic fluctuations.

This bill will:

• Create clear annual megawatt and budget targets so renewable energy programs remain financially sustainable, and ratepayer impacts stay predictable and focus on investments that result in savings for ratepayers holistically
• Give state regulators the flexibility to adjust programs year-to-year to remain within overall budget limits instead of being tied to rigid annual caps that may not reflect market conditions
• Create dedicated solar rates for low-income residents, residents in distressed municipalities, and affordable multifamily housing residents
• Encourage municipalities to adopt an existing streamlined solar permitting platform (Solar APP +) to help simplify and speed up the permitting process

As electricity demand grows, we must ensure that our energy programs are cost effective and efficient.

The House passed a measure to support Connecticut’s small businesses by creating a pathway to access state grants and economic development programs.

Under House Bill 5467, an employee with the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) would serve as a direct point of contact for small businesses. This individual would help business owners navigate available funds, incentives, and community development programs administered by DECD.

Too often, small businesses struggle to identify what resources are available or how to apply. This measure creates an accessible gateway for information and assistance, ensuring business owners have someone to answer questions, connect them with the right programs, and guide them through the process.

House Bill 5467 is an important step toward removing barriers and helping Connecticut businesses grow and thrive.

The Connecticut Judicial Branch is warning residents about two text message scams aimed at stealing your money and personal information. One falsely claims you have an unpaid traffic citation and must pay immediately. The other alleges that you missed jury duty and owe a penalty. Both are bogus.

The Judicial Branch does not send texts or make calls demanding payment for motor vehicle violations. It does not threaten arrest of missed jury service by text, and it does not use a judge’s name to pressure individuals into paying money.