CURRENT NEWS AND ISSUES
January 19, 2022
Assistance for Essential Workers
The legislature authorized The Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Fund to help ease the financial burden on essential workers who became ill and were unable to work, or died, between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021, and that program is now up and running. READ MORE
January 12, 2022
New Chairs Named to Housing and Aging Committees
Representative Quentin “Q” Phipps of Middletown was recently named House Chair of the legislature's Housing Committee and Representative Jane Garibay who serves Windsor and Windsor Locks was named House Chair of the Aging Committee by Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and Majority Leader Jason Rojas. READ MORE
January 5, 2022
Connecticut Must End the Ignorance Surrounding Endometriosis
In a recent opinion piece, Representative Jillian Gilchrest of West Hartford discusses the misunderstanding and often misdiagnosis of Endometriosis in women. READ MORE
November 18, 2021
State Budget Stays in Balance While Building Robust Reserve
Connecticut's budget picture remains in good shape for fiscal year 2022, operating with a small surplus and building a robust long-term reserve fund. READ MORE
November 4, 2021
Agriculture Investment Targets Food Insecurity
In a recently published letter, Rep. Jaime Foster explains how a new $10 million state agriculture program will help thousands of residents in Connecticut who are challenged to feed their families. READ MORE
October 28, 2021
CIF2030 Looks to Make Historic Investment in Community Equity
The newly formed Community Investment Board 2030 (CIF2030), co-chaired by Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-Hartford), held its initial meeting this week and will oversee a 10-year, $2 billion-plus bonding program designed to advance equity in communities across Connecticut that have historically been underserved and marginalized. READ MORE
October 14, 2021
Distracted Driving Penalties Increase
As the holiday season draws closer, many of us will spend more time behind the wheel and more time on the road means more opportunities for distracted driving. READ MORE
October 5, 2021
October Brings New State Laws
Several new laws in Connecticut took effect on October 1, and will have a positive impact on the daily lives of thousands of residents. READ MORE
September 15, 2021
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
This month, from September 15 through October 15, we observe Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate, recognize and feature the countless achievements of many Hispanic Americans who have positively impacted and enriched our communities. READ MORE
September 23, 2021
Help for Winter Heating Costs
As winter gets closer many residents become concerned about how to afford their heating bills, but Operation Fuel has programs available to help struggling families with energy costs. READ MORE
September 15, 2021
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
This month, from September 15 through October 15, we observe Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate, recognize and feature the countless achievements of many Hispanic Americans who have positively impacted and enriched our communities. READ MORE
September 7, 2021
Tax Cut for Low-Income Working Families
The new state budget includes an increase in Connecticut's Earned Income Tax Credit, which is a direct tax cut for qualifying families. READ MORE
August 24, 2021
Food Stamp Assistance Increases in October
Food Stamps are a critical tool in helping to keep our most vulnerable residents from going hungry, and we are very pleased to report that the Biden Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have approved a significant and permanent increase in the amount of food stamp assistance available to families in need. READ MORE
August 13, 2021
Investing in Special Education Services
To help meet the ongoing challenge of providing every student access to the quality education they deserve, more than $16 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief II (ESSER II) funds was recently made available to 170 school districts across Connecticut. READ MORE
August 3, 2021
New Law Officially Voids Racist Land Deed Covenants
Passed unanimously by the legislature, House Bill 6665 prohibits restrictive deed covenants based on race and allows property owners to have such language removed from land records in this state. READ MORE
July 27, 2021
"Tristan's Law" Helps Protect Children at Ice Cream Trucks
Keeping our children safe is an important responsibility of your government, and this legislative session we passed Public Act 21-20 to strengthen the traffic safety measures of ice cream trucks in order to increase visibility to other drivers. READ MORE
July 20, 2021
Access Health CT Offers Special Enrollment Through August 15
If you are still in need of quality, affordable health care it is not too late to get a plan through Access Health Connecticut (AHCT). READ MORE
July 13, 2021
Full Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags Begins
Starting July 1, stores can no longer offer those 10-cent single-use plastic bags at checkout anymore as a new environmental protection law took effect. READ MORE
July 6, 2021
New State Laws Took Effect July 1
House Democrats led the way in passing a number of new laws that went into effect July 1, aimed at improving the quality of life in Connecticut. READ MORE
June 16, 2021
"NIL" Bill Allows College Student Athletes to Sign Endorsement Deals
Bipartisan legislation will greatly benefit student athletes in our state by allowing them to profit off their name, image, and likeness (NIL). READ MORE
June 9, 2021
State Budget Invests in Connecticut's Future, Has No Tax Increases
The new state budget passed by the House has no tax increases while heavily investing in our cities and towns, local nonprofits and families needing vital assistance. READ MORE
June 7, 2021
"Bottle Bill" Encourages More Recycling, Cleaner Environment
The House of Representatives recently took action on modernizing Connecticut's bottle deposit program to encourage residents to recycle and keep our beautiful parks, beaches and streets clean. READ MORE
June 2, 2021
Connecticut Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis
Legislation passed by the House this week recognizes that structural and systemic racism has a significant impact on the social determinants of health, leading to vast health disparities in our state. READ MORE
May 27, 2021
Long Island Sound Blue Plan Becomes Law
Rep. Joseph Gresko of Stratford, our Chair of the Environment Committee, worked to pass legislation that will help protect and preserve Connecticut's natural resource gem Long Island Sound. READ MORE
May 24, 2021
Zoning Bill Will Help Communities Better Plan for Their Future
Our Planning & Development Committee Chair Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey of Fairfield led the debate on House passage last week of HB 6107 which updates and expands state zoning statutes. READ MORE
May 20, 2021
Investing in Upgrades to Our Power Grid
Our House Chair of the Energy Committee, Rep. David Arconti of Danbury, says the time is now to invest in our power grid to improve resiliency and reliability. READ MORE
May 13, 2021
House Democrats Welcome Newest Caucus Member Rep. Corey Paris
Last week, Corey P. Paris was officially sworn in as state representative serving the City of Stamford after winning a special election in April. READ MORE
May 6, 2021
House to Act on Expanding Voter Access
Speaker of the House Matt Ritter announced that the House of Representatives will be acting on legislation that sets the stage to allow for early voting and no-excuse absentee ballots in Connecticut in order to increase voter participation in our elections. READ MORE
April 27, 2021
Tax Credits Approved by Finance Committee Support Families & Businesses
Our House Chair of the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee, Rep. Sean Scanlon of Guilford, said numerous proposals in the committee’s budget package provide historic tax relief for Connecticut residents and aid businesses in the continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE
April 22, 2021
Appropriations Committee Budget Invests in Working Families, Education, Long-Term Savings
House Democratic leaders praise budget proposal that maximizes federal relief funds to respond to the ongoing pandemic and invest in Connecticut's future for all residents. READ MORE
April 20, 2021
More Stimulus Money May be Available
This year’s extended tax deadline, May 17th, is just under a month away. Filing your taxes is more important than ever to ensure you receive critical federal stimulus money that may be available to you. READ MORE
April 13, 2021
Connecticut Needs to Make Voting Easier
Unlike Georgia which recently adopted a new law to make it harder for voters to cast their ballots, Connecticut can be on the right side of history. READ MORE
April 6, 2021
Racism is a Public Health Crisis
In a recent op-ed, Rep. Brandon McGee, who represents Hartford and Windsor, says he is committed to taking the important step of acknowledging the public health crisis caused by racism and enacting policy that will address its harms. READ MORE
March 30, 2021
State Child Tax Credit Would Ease Burden on Families
To help alleviate the high cost of raising a child, keep people in the workforce and dramatically reduce child poverty, our chair of the Finance Committee Rep. Sean Scanlon has proposed a child tax credit. READ MORE
March 24, 2021
Making Batterson Park a Regional Destination Again
Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) announced a multi-million dollar effort to restore Batterson Park, the long-shuttered Hartford-owned former recreation area straddling Farmington and New Britain. READ MORE
March 16, 2021
House Passes Legislative Oversight Bill for Federal COVID-19 Funds
With billions of dollars coming to Connecticut as part of Congress' COVID relief package, the legislature acted to ensure they will work in partnership with the Governor on how these resources will be used. READ MORE
March 11, 2021
Recent Legislative Action Signed Into Law By Governor
Three bills recently passed by the General Assembly targeting racial discrimination, protecting taxpayers, and encouraging economic growth are now law. READ MORE
March 9, 2021
Early Voting & No-excuse Absentee Ballots Get Backing of Elections Committee
Resolutions encouraging more voter participation in elections were passed by the General Assembly's Government Administration & Elections Committee and now head to the full legislature to consider. READ MORE
March 4, 2021
Better Rail Service Will Boost Naugatuck Valley Economy
Increased investment in the regional Waterbury Rail Line will spur regional economic growth says Rep. Kara Rochelle, who represents Ansonia and Derby, in a recent op-ed. READ MORE
March 2, 2021
Reps. Exum & Haddad Named to Reapportionment Committee
State Representatives Tammy Exum who serves West Hartford, Avon and Farmington, and Gregory Haddad of Mansfield have been named by Speaker of the House Matt Ritter to the Connecticut's Reapportionment Committee. READ MORE
February 25, 2021
House Overwhelmingly Passes CROWN Act
Connecticut is on its way to becoming the eighth state to ban hair discrimination by making The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) law. READ MORE
February 23, 2021
Women Deserve Accurate Information to Make Their Choice
In a recent op-ed, Rep. Jillian Gilchrest of West Hartford says every woman deserves access to medically accurate information to make reproductive health decisions that are best for her and/or her family. READ MORE
February 18, 2021
Access Health Special Enrollment Open Through March 15
Access Health CT's (AHCT) Special Enrollment Period is open now through March 15, 2021 for uninsured residents to obtain quality, affordable health care coverage, particularly those negatively affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE
February 16, 2021
Bill Would Punish Obstruction of Legislative Process
In response to the horrific insurrection at the U.S. Capitol January 6 by supporters of former President Trump, legislation before our Judiciary Committee specifically prohibits interference with the operations of the Connecticut General Assembly. READ MORE
February 11, 2021
Connecticut Needs to Take Care of Those Left Behind by the Coronavirus Pandemic
Speaker Ritter says in an op-ed he recently authored that federal COVID funding received by the state should be put in a separate reserve and used to help those impacted by the pandemic. READ MORE
February 9, 2021
African American/Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Studies
A full-year course on Black & Latino history is being added to public school curriculums for students. READ MORE
February 4, 2021
Small Business Grants Available for Women-Owned Companies
Applications are now being accepted for small business grants through the Women's Business Development Council's Equity Match Program. READ MORE
February 2, 2021
New Internet Data Caps Amount to Gouging Customers
Companies such as Comcast have begun adding surcharges for internet customers that exceed arbitrary data limits. READ MORE
