Start of Session & Legislative Priorities

February 9, 2024


It was a pleasure to return to the State Capitol with all my friends and colleagues for the start of the 2024 legislative session. We have plenty of work to do to help the people of Connecticut, and I'm looking forward to that entire process. Please read below to see our list of priorities.

One of those priorities is securing funding to tackle our rising homeless population. I'll break down a new proposal to address this issue head-on while supporting shelters.

We also need to help people move around the state on public transportation. Keep scrolling to see how advocates and I are urging lawmakers to improve our transit systems.

Finally, my colleagues and I are working on legislation to expand paid sick leave to all workers in our state. I'll dig deeper into how the proposal works and why it's so important to families in need.

Here are the sections in today's email:

  • Start of Legislative Session
  • Addressing CT's Rising Homeless Population
  • Call For Transit Equity
  • Expanding Paid Sick Leave
 
Start of Legislative Session
There was plenty of positive energy and optimism as the legislative session got underway at the State Capitol on Wednesday. My colleagues and I are working on drafting bills on a wide range of issues that are listed below. 

The resources below will help you stay updated on crucial developments, events, proposed policies, and key discussions as they happen in Hartford. I urge you to please follow along and get involved.

Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:

  • The non-partisan Office of Legislative Research (OLR) recently released the 2024 Major Issues Report. This comprehensive document summarizes key issues the legislature could take up during the upcoming session. 
  • You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website. 
  • Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, as well as House and Senate floor debates. 
  • You can register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change in the bill's progress. 
  • Visit this website for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.

Together, we can make a positive impact and ensure that our community's needs are represented.  
 
Addressing CT’s Rising Homeless Population
I am joining a bipartisan group of lawmakers in calling for our state government to take more action to tackle homelessness. More people are losing their homes due to the high cost of living, which is leading to evictions. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, about 4,000 people are homeless in our state. It is no secret that with more people in need, shelters are struggling to keep up since their resources are already stretched thin.

The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness is proposing additional funding which includes:

  • $5 million for cold-weather shelters
  • $7.4 million to increase the salaries of homelessness response system staff
  • $3.6 million to prevent people from falling into homelessness
  • $2 million to improve system performance statewide
  • $2 million in flexible funding to assist individuals in transitioning from homelessness to stable housing.

The Connecticut General Assembly must work together to pass legislation that will address these needs. 
Click Here To Learn More
 
Calling For Transit Equity
We need to take more steps to help people move around the state in a more equitable fashion. Thousands of people rely on buses and trains to get around, and we need more funding to ensure that cost is not prohibitive to their daily lives.

I fully support a movement to give free bus passes to children and to improve bus routes to make it easier for people to commute in our state. Public transit serves as a critical cornerstone of a thriving economy, providing an essential service that extends far beyond mere transportation. Its affordability and safety are paramount, influencing the livelihoods of countless individuals, particularly essential workers who rely on it to commute to their jobs. The significance of accessible public transit is further underscored by its role in connecting people to well-paying employment opportunities, fostering economic growth, and contributing to the overall welfare of communities.

We need a more equitable transit system if we want our state to thrive. Better bus routes and free bus rides for children will go a long way to making that possible.
 
Expanding Paid Sick Leave
I joined legislators from the House and Senate to support the push for universal paid sick leave, a benefit out of reach for many low and minimum wage workers in the state of Connecticut. Businesses with fewer than 50 workers are currently exempt from requirements to offer paid sick days. If the Connecticut General Assembly approves the bill, all workers will be able to earn up paid sick time regardless of the size of the company they work for.
This proposal is important because everyone deserves to take time off if they are sick or a family member requires their care. This is not only an issue for the workforce but also pertains to public health. I will work diligently with my colleagues in hopes of passing this legislation in 2024.