Legislative Update 6.5

June 5, 2025

Greetings Community!

The 2025 legislative session is over and I want to talk to you about it.

Next week, I'm taking part in a West Haven delegation end-of-session wrap-up. Representatives Heffernan, Shannon, and I will be sitting down to explain the bills we passed and the work we're already doing to prepare for the next session!

This year, we made significant strides, passing a new budget, enhancing environmental protections, funding historic investments in special education, and much more. I hope that with your input and support - we can continue to build a stronger Connecticut for everyone.

In this week's update, I'll detail how we're reducing your energy bill, break down our new budget, and what we did for our children and families.

As always, if I can ever be of any help, please feel free to contact my office at (860) 240-8585 or by emailing me directly.

Sincerely,

Treneé McGee

Around the Capitol

West Haven Delegation Session Wrap-Up on June 16th

Please join me and fellow West Haven Delegation members, State Representatives Bill Heffernan and MJ Shannon, for an end-of-session wrap-up at West Haven Library on Monday, June 16th, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

I hope you can join us!

Rising for an Introduction: Welcome Josh!

I was proud to welcome and introduce my brother, Josh, to the CT House of Representatives, on the final day of the 2025 session.

Please click on the video below.

Electric Rates Relief

The House and Senate took bold, bipartisan action to lower electric bills—passing a comprehensive energy reform bill with more than $780 million in savings for ratepayers.

Lower Bills
• Paying Down COVID-era Electric Debt
• Cutting Charges for Solar, EVs & Fuel Cells
• Smarter Energy Purchasing to Lock in Savings
• Smoothing $1.2B Storm Costs to Avoid Rate Spikes

Smarter Grid
• Require Cost-Saving Tech Reviews Before Costly Grid Projects
• Improve Planning to Avoid Wasteful “Gold-Plated” Upgrades

Stronger Future for CT Families
• Support Advanced Nuclear & Geothermal
• Incentivize Grid Efficiency
• Expand DEEP’s Clean Energy Planning Authority

By easing costs on consumers, modernizing the grid, and investing in clean energy, we are powering a more affordable, reliable, and accountable energy future for all.

Sharing Thoughts on SB1

Every Connecticut family deserves affordable, high-quality childcare. With the passage of House Priority Bill 5003 and Senate Bill 1, transformative legislation is set to become reality by expanding access, supporting educators, and investing in a stronger future for our children and our economy. These smart, sustainable investments position Connecticut to lead the nation in delivering affordable, high-quality childcare and establishing universal Pre-K by 2032.

I was proud to share a few words about SB1, An Act Increasing Resources for Students, Schools and Special Education, which has been passed in the House and Senate and awaits the Governor's signature. Please click on the video below.

The bills:

Provide a Sustainable Investment

Fund the Early Childhood Education Endowment to invest in childcare now and in the future

Lower Costs and Increase Access

Childcare and Pre-K will be free for families in state-funded programs earning up to $100,000 and families making over $100,000 will pay no more than 7% of income
Add 16,000 new childcare and Pre-K slots across the state
Create an online portal to help families find and enroll in programs

Attract and Retain Early Childhood Educators

Pay qualified educators on par with public school teachers
Provide funding for health insurance coverage for educators

This legislation delivers lasting solutions for families, educators, and the economy. Together, these measures provide relief for families, bolster the recruitment and retention of childcare educators, and invest in the construction and renovation of early learning facilities. These bills represent a transformational step forward in Connecticut’s commitment to children and their future.

Democrat Budget Puts People First

As the CT Mirror’s budget reporter pointed out: “The state House of Representatives adopted a $55.8 billion two-year budget early Tuesday that invests in child care and K-12 education, provides a $250 tax cut to working poor families...”

Tax relief for working families; investing in education and special education; transformative funding for childcare and early childhood education; and standing up for nonprofit service providers are the pillars of the next state budget.

Our budget reflects shared values, marked by historic investments in children through expanded funding for special education and childcare.

It strengthens support for working families and ensures that the essential work of nonprofits is both valued and financially supported. These organizations are on the frontlines every day, serving our most vulnerable neighbors. This budget affirms and reinforces their vital role in building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.

I had some thoughts to share as we were passing the budget. Please click on the video below to hear them.

This budget stands up for:

HISTORIC NEW FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

$40 million for Excess Cost Grant in each of the next two years
$30 million for Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program
$20 million in bonding to expand and upgrade special education facilities
$10 million in bonding for capital development
$10 million for Governor's Incentive District Grant
Hold harmless funding for Education Cost Sharing, so no school district sees a cut

CHILDCARE

Investible trust to provide sustainable funding for new childcare programs
Funding for direct healthcare of our children through DSS Medicaid

NONPROFIT PROVIDERS

Access to better health care and nonproﬁt community providers
$150 million for group homes and nursing homes
More than $60 million in Medicaid rate increases, which will benefit nonprofit providers

TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES

Targeted, meaningful relief and long-term support for working families
Refundable tax credit of $250 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) framework
$500 refundable tax credit for home daycare owners that recognizes and sustains the vital care workforce
Tax credit for employers who contribute to their employees' CHET accounts

This is a budget that works for the people — one that safeguards essential services, uplifts communities, and lays the foundation for a future where every resident is supported and protected.

I am proud to have supported its passage.

Bills Passed in the House

For a look at bills passed in the House during the 2025 legislative session and where they stand, please click on the image below.

Beware: Text Message Scam Involves DMV

Connecticut State Police are warning all of us of a new text message scam involving a phony traffic ticket. The criminals pretend to be with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and claim the recipient has an outstanding traffic ticket that must be paid immediately.

If you receive a text like the one below, DO NOT click on the link. It leads to a fraudulent website where your personal and financial information can be stolen.

Here are some tips from the Federal Trade Commission on how to avoid being a victim of these types of scams:

Do not respond to the text or click any links. State DMVs would not ask for your information or money by text.
If you think the message might be real, contact your state's DMV using a trusted phone number or website.
Copy the text message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM). This will help your wireless provider spot and block similar messages.
Report the text on the messaging app you use. Look for the option to report junk or spam.
Report the text to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and/or file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Please contact local law enforcement as soon as possible if you clicked the link and experienced a financial loss.