Today is a great day for Connecticut. Gov. Lamont signed the Paid Family Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) legislation.

We can celebrate the passage of legislation in the recently concluded session, some after years of effort while I am disappointed that certain bills would have to start over next year.

The state budget approved on Monday night provides an increase in ECS funding for Ansonia and Derby’s education systems.

Hard-working families in Connecticut got a boost the other day when Gov. Lamont signed legislation to increase the state’s minimum wage. I ran for office promising to raise the minimum wage because I believe anyone working a full-time job should earn enough to support themselves and their family. This legislation is a promise I kept, and a step in the right direction to benefit about 42 percent of all workers in Danbury.

The House of Representatives and Senate passed a budget this week which is responsible, stable, and funds the Rainy Day Fund at historic levels. The budget makes significant investments in education, job growth, and economic development while holding the line on spending. The growth rate for fixed costs in the General Fund is 1.3% and for non-fixed costs is simply 0.03%.

I am very proud of legislation that passed with overwhelming support in both the House and Senate regarding Connecticut’s rapidly growing craft beer, wine and cider industries. In just a few short years these industries have grown from a few hundred jobs to several thousand and generate millions for the state economy. Bridgeport is home to excellent craft breweries such as Brewport and Aspetuck Brew Labs in Bridgeport so this legislation will help them continue to grow.

I am very proud of legislation that passed with overwhelming support in both the House and Senate regarding Connecticut’s rapidly growing craft beer, wine and cider industries. In just a few short years these industries have grown from a few hundred jobs to several thousand and generate millions for the state economy. 

Today is a great day for Connecticut. After many hours of debate over the Paid Family Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) legislation, my colleagues and I were able to pass the bill, which the Senate had already approved. The bill now goes to the governor for his expected signature next month.