Senator Slap Votes for State Budget with Half-billion in Tax Cuts, Investments in Child Care, Mental Health, Social Services; Significant Local Aid
HARTFORD – Senate Democrats on Tuesday led final passage of a modified second year of the two-year state budget that will bring Connecticut’s 3.5 million residents a half-billion dollars in tax savings while investing hundreds of millions of other dollars in new childcare, mental health, social service, job creation and other new state programs – and increases in state funding for important 5th Senate District organizations and projects. State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) joined the Senate in its approval. The bill now heads to Democratic Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of the 2022-2023 state budget into law.
“I’m proud to vote for this budget, as its support for our communities will have a positive impact on local education and recreation,” said Sen. Slap. “I am also glad to support significant tax cuts for our residents, especially expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the new Child Tax Credit, which will financially support families across our state.”
The budget includes historic tax cuts for Connecticut’s citizens as well as major new investments in some of the human needs that were highlighted by the past two years of the deadly and disruptive COVID-19 pandemic.
The Democratic budget is still under the state-mandated spending cap, has maxed out our state Rainy Day Fund at $3.3 billion, and makes a massive, unprecedented $3.5 billion payment toward Connecticut’s 70 years of built-up pension debt.
Locally, the budget supports the 5th Senate District with $566,503 in additional state funding. Additional funding includes $100,000 in support for the Noah Webster House in West Hartford; $10,000 in funding for Bloomfield Raiders Youth Football; and increased funding for rebuilding Farmington High School, specifically restoration of the 30% reimbursement rate for the construction project.
Some of the $600 million in Democratic tax cuts that will help Connecticut residents include:
- Continuation of the 25-cent per gallon gasoline tax holiday through December 1, thereby saving Connecticut residents another $150 million, and continuation of the bus fare holiday through the same date, saving riders a further $8.1 million.
- Creates a new $250-per-child credit against the state income tax for low- and middle-income households, up to a maximum of $750, for single filers with earnings less than $100,000 per year and couples making less than $200,000. This saves Connecticut families $125 million.
- A cap on the tax rate charged by cities and towns on motor vehicles will reduce car taxes by $100 million for residents in about 45% of Connecticut towns.
- Increase the maximum property tax credit exemption from $200 to $300, saving Connecticut families $60 million per year this year and into the future.
- Increasing the state Earned Income Tax Credit, a program created by former President Ronald Reagan and used by 186,000 Connecticut residents living in every town in the state. The increased tax deduction will save Connecticut families $49 million a year.
- Accelerating the phase-out of taxes of certain pension and annuity income, saving Connecticut residents nearly $43 million.
- The Democratic budget even eliminates the tax on movie theatre tickets, saving movie-goers $2.5 million this year.
On the spending side, Democrats and Gov. Lamont make major investments in the public services Connecticut residents demanded following two years of the deadly and disruptive COVID-19 pandemic: the mental health crisis impacting our children, expanded services for people with substance-use disorders, better wages for people working in our non-profits and as personal care attendants, increased funds to support survivors of domestic violence, more money for community college tuition, job-training programs, and a historic investment in child care services so parents can get back into the workplace.
Some of the hundreds of millions of new dollars that Democrats are spending on Connecticut residents include:
- $10 million for mental health services at School-Based Health Centers
- $30 million for increased 24/7 mobile crisis services
- $1.4 million for no-cost training to address the hiring needs of Electric Boat
- $72 million for private-sector non-profit pay raises
- $23 million for personal care attendants
- $70 million for childcare industry wage enhancements
- $15 million to renovate and construct early childhood facilities
- $2.5 million to combat gun violence
- $2.8 million for survivors of domestic violence
- $50 million for affordable housing
- $75 million to update school air conditioning and heating systems
- $8 million to increase access to town-run summer camps
- $3 million for senior citizens’ adult day programs and Meals on Meals
- $4 million for Alzheimer’s respite care programs
To view more details and analysis of the Democratic budget, please visit: https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2022&bill_num=5506
Senator Haskell Supports State Budget with Half a Billion Dollars in Tax Cuts, Investments in Child Care, Mental Health
Senator Haskell Supports State Budget with Half a Billion Dollars in Tax Cuts, Investments in Child Care, Mental Health
HARTFORD – Senator Haskell today supported a bipartisan budget that provides a half-billion dollars in tax savings to Connecticut residents. The $24.2 billion budget also invests hundreds of millions of other dollars in new childcare, mental health, job creation and education. The bill now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature.
“This budget is an historic investment in the people of Connecticut,” State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport). “In fact, it’s an investment in every generation of Connecticut residents. From a new child tax credit that will give 600,000 families a helping hand to an elimination of taxes on pension and social security income, this budget will put more money back into the pockets of my constituents. Remember how the owner of a Subaru in Bridgeport has to pay hundreds more in taxes than the owner of a Subaru in Weston? That’s wrong, and this budget fixes that by capping the property tax on motor vehicles at a 32.46 mill rate. Bipartisan work resulted in $3 million to help senior citizens access adult day programs and Meals on Wheels. Plus $8 million will be spent to make sure kids have access to summer camps. After we enacted free community college in 2019, this year we voted to expand it for part-time students as well as full-time students. Plus, my constituents regularly reach out about the high cost of childcare. We know the industry is drastically underfunded, yet critically important to all families. I’m so glad we’re committing $85 million to support wage increases and improved facilities. I could go on, but suffice to say that I’m so proud to vote in favor of this budget.”
The budget includes historic tax cuts for Connecticut’s citizens as well as major new investments in some of the human needs that were highlighted by the past two years of the deadly and disruptive COVID-19 pandemic.
The Democratic budget remains below the spending cap, keeps our Rainy Day Fund filled at $3.1 billion, and makes a massive, unprecedented $3.5 billion payment toward Connecticut’s 70 years of built-up pension debt. Every school district will receive greater state support to fund special education services — ensuring schools can continue to provide a high-quality education for all students without making cuts to other critical programs.
Some of the $600 million in tax cuts that will help Connecticut residents include:
- Continuation of the bus fare holiday through the same date, saving riders a further $8.1 million.
- Creates a new $250-per-child credit against the state income tax for low- and middle-income households, up to a maximum of $750, for single filers with earnings less than $100,000 per year and couples making less than $200,000. This saves Connecticut families $125 million.
- A cap on the tax rate charged by cities and towns on motor vehicles will reduce car taxes by $100 million for residents in about 45% of Connecticut towns, including three towns in the 26th Senate District.
- Increase the property tax credit exemption from $200 to $300, saving Connecticut families $60 million per year this year and into the future.
- Increasing the state Earned Income Tax Credit, a program created by former President Ronald Reagan and used by 186,000 Connecticut residents living in every town in the state. The increased tax deduction will save Connecticut families $49 million a year.
- Accelerating the phase-out of taxes of certain pension and annuity income, saving Connecticut residents nearly $43 million.
- The budget even eliminates the tax on movie theatre tickets, saving movie-goers $2.5 million this year.
On the spending side, the legislature voted to make major investments in the health and happiness of Connecticut residents, helping to improve mental health for children, supporting survivors of domestic violence and reduce the cost of childcare. Critically, the budget expands the PACT program, which Senator Haskell helped to create in 2019, ensuring that part-time students can participate in Connecticut’s free community college program.
Some of the hundreds of millions of new dollars that Democrats are spending on Connecticut residents include:
- $10 million for mental health services at School-Based Health Centers
- $30 million for increased 24/7 mobile crisis services
- $72 million for increasing pay at critical non-profits
- $23 million for personal care attendants
- $70 million for childcare industry wage enhancements
- $15 million to renovate and construct early childhood facilities
- $2.5 million to combat gun violence
- $2.8 million for survivors of domestic violence
- $50 million for affordable housing
- $75 million to update school air conditioning and heating systems
- $8 million to increase access to town-run summer camps
- $15 million for magnet schools
- $3 million for senior citizens’ adult day programs and Meals on Wheels
- $4 million for Alzheimer’s respite care programs
To view more details and analysis of the budget, please visit: https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2022&bill_num=5506
Senator Anwar Votes for State Budget with Half a Billion Dollars in Tax Cuts; Investments in Child Care, Mental Health, Social Services, More
Senator Anwar Votes for State Budget with Half a Billion Dollars in Tax Cuts; Investments in Child Care, Mental Health, Social Services, More
HARTFORD – Senate Democrats today led final passage of a modified second year of the two-year state budget that will bring Connecticut’s 3.5 million residents a half-billion dollars in tax savings while investing hundreds of millions of other dollars in new childcare, mental health, social service, job creation and other new state programs. The bill now heads to Democratic Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of the 2022-2023 state budget into law.
“When many Connecticut taxpayers are needing to stretch their dollars further, this budget provides them with some relief,” said Sen. Anwar. “I’m proud to support a bill that ensures proper funding for vital mental health, youth services and other important programs – all not only without any tax increases, but with significant, wide-ranging tax cuts that will benefit drivers, families, commuters and property owners, among many others.”
With an influx of federal aid, and with Connecticut tax revenues soaring due to a rebounding state economy, strong job growth and rising incomes, the second year of the biennial state budget was reconfigured by Democrats and Gov. Lamont to $24.2 billion.
The budget includes historic tax cuts for Connecticut’s citizens as well as major new investments in some of the human needs that were highlighted by the past two years of the deadly and disruptive COVID-19 pandemic.
The Democratic budget is still under the state-mandated spending cap, has maxed out our state Rainy Day Fund at $3.3 billion, and makes a massive, unprecedented $3.5 billion payment toward Connecticut’s 70 years of built-up pension debt.
The 3rd Senate District will receive $2.108 million in additional funding for the 2022-23 fiscal year through this budget.
Some of the $600 million in Democratic tax cuts that will help Connecticut residents include:
- Continuation of the 25-cent per gallon gasoline tax holiday through December 1, thereby saving Connecticut residents another $150 million, and continuation of the bus fare holiday through the same date, saving riders a further $8.1 million.
- Creates a new $250-per-child credit against the state income tax for low- and middle-income households, up to a maximum of $750, for single filers with earnings less than $100,000 per year and couples making less than $200,000. This saves Connecticut families $125 million.
- A cap on the tax rate charged by cities and towns on motor vehicles will reduce car taxes by $100 million for residents in about 45% of Connecticut towns, including three of the four towns in the 3rd Senate District.
- Increase the maximum property tax credit exemption from $200 to $300, saving Connecticut families $60 million per year this year and into the future.
- Increasing the state Earned Income Tax Credit, a program created by former President Ronald Reagan and used by 186,000 Connecticut residents living in every town in the state. The increased tax deduction will save Connecticut families $49 million a year.
- Accelerating the phase-out of taxes of certain pension and annuity income, saving Connecticut residents nearly $43 million.
- The Democratic budget even eliminates the tax on movie theatre tickets, saving movie-goers $2.5 million this year.
On the spending side, Democrats and Gov. Lamont make major investments in the public services Connecticut residents demanded following two years of the deadly and disruptive COVID-19 pandemic: the mental health crisis impacting our children, expanded services for people with substance-use disorders, better wages for people working in our non-profits and as personal care attendants, increased funds to support survivors of domestic violence, more money for community college tuition, job-training programs, and a historic investment in child care services so parents can get back into the workplace.
Some of the hundreds of millions of new dollars that Democrats are spending on Connecticut residents include:
- $10 million for mental health services at School-Based Health Centers
- $30 million for increased 24/7 mobile crisis services
- $1.4 million for no-cost training to address the hiring needs of Electric Boat
- $72 million for private-sector non-profit pay raises
- $23 million for personal care attendants
- $70 million for childcare industry wage enhancements
- $15 million to renovate and construct early childhood facilities
- $2.5 million to combat gun violence
- $2.8 million for survivors of domestic violence
- $50 million for affordable housing
- $75 million to update school air conditioning and heating systems
- $8 million to increase access to town-run summer camps
- $15 million for magnet schools
- $3 million for senior citizens’ adult day programs and Meals on Meals
- $4 million for Alzheimer’s respite care programs
To view more details and analysis of the Democratic budget, please visit: https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2022&bill_num=5506
Sen. Cabrera Votes for Passage of State Budget with Half a Billion Dollars in Tax Cuts
Sen. Cabrera Votes for Passage of State Budget with Half a Billion Dollars in Tax Cuts
Includes Investments in Child Care, Mental Health, Social Services and More
HARTFORD – Today, state Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) voted for the passage of a modified second year of the two-year state budget that will bring Connecticut’s 3.5 million residents a half-billion dollars in tax savings while investing hundreds of millions of other dollars in new childcare, mental health, social service, job creation other new state programs and immediate car tax cuts for each town in the 17th Senate District thanks to a new cap on car taxes. The budget adjustment also includes an additional $3.8 million in municipal aid for the district and $3 million in Education Cost Sharing funding.
The budget was passed on a 24-12. The bill now heads to Democratic Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of the 2022-2023 state budget into law.
“This budget will provide a boost to all Connecticut residents and I am proud to support these fiscally responsible tax cuts and investments in our young people, our childcare workers, seniors and our hard-working families,” said Sen. Cabrera. “With these adjustments to our budget, we’re making robust investments in youth mental health, ensuring they have access to the resources they deserve. We’re providing a $250 child tax credit for individuals and couples with children, increasing public school funding and municipal aid and senior benefits, too. We’ve all been frustrated by gas prices, so we’re extending the suspension of the gas tax through to December 1, and public bus rides will continue to be free of charge until Dec. 1 as well. These tax cuts, totaling roughly $600 million, also come as we pay down our pension debt, fully fund our Rainy Day Fund and remain under our spending and revenue caps. I am elated to vote for its passage as I know this is not only good for our state today, but will benefit us down the line as well.”
With an influx of federal aid, and with Connecticut tax revenues soaring due to a rebounding state economy, strong job growth and rising incomes, the second year of the biennial state budget was reconfigured by Democrats and Gov. Lamont to increase state spending in the coming year by 6.5% to $24.2 billion.
The budget includes historic tax cuts for Connecticut’s citizens as well as major new investments in some of the human needs that were highlighted by the past two years of the deadly and disruptive COVID-19 pandemic.
The Democratic budget is still under the state-mandated spending cap, has maxed out our state Rainy Day Fund at $3.3 billion, and makes a massive, unprecedented $3.5 billion payment toward Connecticut’s 70 years of built-up pension debt.
Some of the $600 million in Democratic tax cuts that will help Connecticut residents include:
- Continuation of the 25-cent per gallon gasoline tax holiday through December 1, thereby saving Connecticut residents another $150 million.
- Creates a new $250-per-child credit against the state income tax for low- and middle-income households, up to a maximum of $750, for single filers with earnings less than $100,000 per year and couples making less than $200,000. This saves Connecticut families $125 million.
- A cap on the tax rate charged by cities and towns on motor vehicles will reduce car taxes by $100 million for residents in about 45% of Connecticut towns.
- Increase the maximum property tax credit exemption from $200 to $300, saving Connecticut families $60 million per year this year and into the future.
- Increasing the state Earned Income Tax Credit, a program created by former President Ronald Reagan and used by 186,000 Connecticut residents living in every town in the state. The increased tax deduction will save Connecticut families $49 million a year.
- Accelerating the phase-out of taxes of certain pension and annuity income, saving Connecticut residents nearly $43 million.
- The Democratic budget even eliminates the tax on movie theatre tickets, saving movie-goers $2.5 million this year.
On the spending side, Democrats and Gov. Lamont make major investments in the public services Connecticut residents demanded following two years of the deadly and disruptive COVID-19 pandemic: the mental health crisis impacting our children, expanded services for people with substance-use disorders, better wages for people working in our non-profits and as personal care attendants, increased funds to support survivors of domestic violence, more money for community college tuition, job-training programs, and a historic investment in child care services so parents can get back into the workplace.
Some of the hundreds of millions of new dollars that Democrats are spending on Connecticut residents include:
- $10 million for mental health services at School-Based Health Centers
- $30 million for increased 24/7 mobile crisis services
- $1.4 million for no-cost training to address the hiring needs of Electric Boat
- $72 million for private-sector non-profit pay raises
- $23 million for personal care attendants
- $70 million for childcare industry wage enhancements
- $15 million to renovate and construct early childhood facilities
- $2.5 million to combat gun violence
- $2.8 million for survivors of domestic violence
- $50 million for affordable housing
- $75 million to update school air conditioning and heating systems
- $8 million to increase access to town-run summer camps
- $3 million for senior citizens’ adult day programs and Meals on Meals
- $4 million for Alzheimer’s respite care programs
To view more details and analysis of the Democratic budget, please visit: https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2022&bill_num=5506
Senate Gives Final Approval to Key Energy Bills
Senate Gives Final Approval to Key Energy Bills
Today, the State Senate gave final approval to two key energy bills aiding the state’s interests in researching alternate forms of energy collection and distribution. State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), Senate Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, led approval of the bills, which respectively seek to regulate and research use of energy storage systems to improve state infrastructure and establish a task force to study hydrogen power technology.
“I’m proud of my colleagues in the Energy & Technology Committee for their foresight in supporting these initiatives,” said Sen. Needleman. “We need to keep an eye on our power grid and energy generation; we need to make sure we remain competitive in the market in years to come. These bills examine alternative sources of energy, and energy storage, for the benefit of our state.”
House Bill 5327, “An Act Concerning Energy Storage Systems And Electric Distribution System Reliability,” sets requirements for electric distribution companies seeking to own, build or operate energy storage systems, specifically limiting their use of such systems to ones enhancing distribution reliability or resiliency. The bill further establishes a pilot program for energy storage system use, where the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority would direct electric distribution companies to submit proposals for storage, specifically for improvement of critical infrastructure resiliency and system reliability.
Senate Bill 5200, “An Act Establishing A Task Force To Study Hydrogen Power,” will see experts study hydrogen-fueled energy in the state’s economy and energy infrastructure, including but not limited to guiding development and achievement of economies of scale for the state’s hydrogen ecosystem, examining use of federal incentives and programs, recommendations for preparing the workforce and studying potential sources of clean hydrogen in the state.
Senator Anwar Releases Statement as Senate Gives Approval to HB5001
Senator Anwar Releases Statement as Senate Gives Approval to HB5001
Bill provides significant mental health resources for children in crisis
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Children’s Committee and Senate Vice Chair of the Public Health Committee, released the following statement after the Senate gave final approval to House Bill 5001, which provides additional mental health resources and aid to children statewide:
“I’m so proud to have led the Senate’s final passage of House Bill 5001, which now goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. In recent years, both before and during the pandemic, children’s mental health issues have grown significantly. This bill works in junction with Senate Bill 1 and 2 in a full approach to meeting children’s mental health needs. Senate Bill 1 and 2 address the root causes of children’s mental health from a preventative standpoint; conversely, House Bill 5001 works to improve availability and provision of services to children who are struggling today. There is work left to be done, but these efforts go a long way toward rising to the challenges experienced by too many today – and our work this session will get help to those struggling. My thanks go out to Representatives Steinberg, Linehan, Exum, Welander, McCarthy-Vahey, Nuccio and Petit, to name just a few of my colleagues who gave their support to this important bill.”
Sen. Lesser Leads Passage Of Bill Expanding Health Insurance Coverage For Breast Cancer & Ovarian Cancer
Sen. Lesser Leads Passage Of Bill Expanding Health Insurance Coverage For Breast Cancer & Ovarian Cancer
State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown), Chair of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee, led passage on a bill that passed this legislative session that will expand health insurance requirements to provide screenings and treatments for breast cancer. Senate Bill 358, ‘An Act Concerning Required Health Insurance Coverage For Breast And Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility Screening,’ will expand insurance coverage requirements for mammograms, ultrasounds, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) for breast screenings under state-regulated health insurance policies. It will also require insurance policies to cover testing and treatment of ovarian cancer.
“I was proud to spearhead Senate passage of this critically important health care bill,” said Sen. Lesser. “Connecticut is poised to have the strongest law in the country covering early detection and treatment of breast and ovarian cancer. As a cancer survivor myself, I know early detection saves lives. I was thrilled to work with local advocates and my House colleagues to champion this critically important bill.”
Currently, the affected insurance policies must cover a baseline mammogram for a woman aged 35 to 39 and an annual mammogram for a woman aged 40 or older. This bill also requires these policies to cover diagnostic and screening mammograms at these age intervals. It also requires the policies to cover a baseline mammogram for an insured who is younger than age 35 and an annual mammogram for an insured who is younger than age 40 if the insured is believed to be at an increased risk for breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It is about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year. In recent years, incidence rates have increased by 0.5% per year. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. The American Cancer Society estimates about 19,880 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
According to Hartford HealthCare, Connecticut has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the country. And according to the Department of Public Health, Ovarian cancer is the 5th-leading cause of cancer deaths, and the 8th most common type of cancer, in CT women. It is diagnosed in 3% of Connecticut women. Mortality, and relative survival rates of ovarian cancer in CT are similar to those observed at the national level.
Early detection can save lives. Nearly 38,000 women in Connecticut are not receiving all of the health care they need because they do not have proper health insurance or the means to pay health insurance premiums. If insurance policies are expanded to cover testing and treatment, it will result in finding breast cancer and/or Ovarian cancer earlier through screening and increased awareness as well as better treatments.
SB 358 will require insurance policies to cover certain procedures related to breast cancer treatment, including breast biopsies; certain prophylactic mastectomies; and breast reconstruction surgery, subject to certain conditions. Additionally, the bill requires these health insurance policies to cover the following services related to the testing and treatment of ovarian cancer:
- Genetic testing, including for breast cancer gene one (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene two (BRCA2)
- Post-treatment CA-125 monitoring (i.e., a test measuring the amount of the cancer antigen 125 protein)
- Routine ovarian cancer screenings, including surveillance tests for certain insureds.
Current law requires the policies to cover a woman’s breast MRI in accordance with American Cancer Society guidelines. The bill instead requires the policies to cover both diagnostic and screening breast MRIs in accordance with the American Cancer Society guidelines for an insured who is age 35 or older or younger than age 35 who is at increased breast cancer risk.
The bill requires policies to also cover breast biopsies, prophylactic mastectomies, and breast reconstructive surgery. It prohibits the policies from imposing cost sharing (coinsurance, copayments, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket expenses) for the covered services.
Senate Bill 358 also will adopt gender neutral language, specifying mammography, ultrasound, and certain other coverage applies to any insured and not just women.
Looney, Duff Statement on Draft Supreme Court Decision Overturning Abortion Rights
Looney, Duff Statement on Draft Supreme Court Decision Overturning Abortion Rights
Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released a statement following tonight’s reporting of a draft decision from the United State Supreme Court which will overturn Roe v. Wade and decades of legal precedent on abortion rights.
“We feared this proposed decision and now this nightmare appears to be all too real. America is likely headed down a dark path where individual states will adopt conflicting statutes leading to additional divisions in an already divided nation. This proposed decision will cause needless confusion, pain, and death across our country. With Democratic majorities, Connecticut will continue to protect the right to make informed choices on reproductive health. We only wish we could say the same for all other states.”
Looney, Duff Statement on Draft Supreme Court Decision Overturning Abortion Rights
Looney, Duff Statement on Draft Supreme Court Decision Overturning Abortion Rights
Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released a statement following tonight’s reporting of a draft decision from the United State Supreme Court which will overturn Roe v. Wade and decades of legal precedent on abortion rights.
“We feared this proposed decision and now this nightmare appears to be all too real. America is likely headed down a dark path where individual states will adopt conflicting statutes leading to additional divisions in an already divided nation. This proposed decision will cause needless confusion, pain, and death across our country. With Democratic majorities, Connecticut will continue to protect the right to make informed choices on reproductive health. We only wish we could say the same for all other states.”
Senator Haskell Leads Passage of Legislation Improving Rider Experience on CT Buses
Senator Haskell Leads Passage of Legislation Improving Rider Experience on CT Buses
Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport), Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, led the final passage of House Bill 5255, “An Act Concerning Recommendations By The Department of Transportation.” This multi-pronged legislation makes more than a dozen changes to current transport-related statutes. Perhaps most importantly, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to develop a mobile app that will offer riders real-time updates about bus service across the state. The legislation would also allow “blood transport vehicles” to use High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes, ensuring donations can be stored quickly and healthcare workers can be rapidly deployed in the event of an emergency.
“If I step out of my apartment building and want to hop onto the Coastal Link toward Bridgeport or Norwalk, I need to download three different apps in order to figure out when the next bus will arrive,” said Sen. Haskell. “That’s wrong, and the folks who ride Connecticut buses each day deserve better. With nearly 20 transit districts across Connecticut, our bus network is too often logistically disjointed, bureaucratically inefficient and needlessly discombobulated for riders. Developing a single app, incentivizing districts to act regionally, and improving customer service is a major step forward to those of us who believe that you shouldn’t need a car to get to work each day.”
“House Bill 5255 contains 29 total changes to state statutes regarding transportation, ranging from allowing the Department of Transportation Commissioner to modify speed limits during emergencies to minor changes to contracting in the state. Among its most significant changes:
- The Department of Transportation will be required to develop a mobile app providing transit district service information and trip planning services
- “Blood transport vehicles,” which are owned by blood-bank and blood-collection facilities, will be allowed to use the High-Occupancy Vehicle lane on highways when transporting blood from a collection point to a hospital or storage center
- Drivers cannot park within 25 feet of a mid-block crosswalk
- The DOT commissioner can modify speed limits during weather events or emergencies if the limit is posted on electronic signs
- The DOT will be required to finish installing wrong way signs on exit ramps from interstate highways prone to accidents by January 1, 2024
This legislation previously passed the House and now proceeds to Governor Lamont’s desk to be signed into law.