Looney, Duff Welcome Commission on Education Funding, Commit to Near-Term Investment in Every Student

Posted on April 16, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Looney, Duff Welcome Commission on Education Funding, Commit to Near-Term Investment in Every Student

HARTFORD — Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today welcomed Governor Lamont’s establishment of the Blue-Ribbon Commission on K-12 Education Funding and Accountability. The Senate leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to delivering meaningful short-term relief through Senate Bill 7, the chamber’s priority legislation to strengthen education funding this legislative session. Senators Looney and Duff issued the following statement:

“We commend Governor Lamont for taking on the much-needed work of modernizing how Connecticut funds its public schools. Nearly a decade ago, we helped lead important changes to the state’s formula for local education funding, but it is time to get under the hood to ensure we are meeting the needs of today’s students. Connecticut’s students deserve a funding structure that is fair, current, and built around their needs. At the same time, school districts cannot wait for relief, which is why the Senate is committed to acting this session on our priority legislation to raise the ECS foundation grant and increase base funding for every student in Connecticut. Long-term reform and short-term investment are both essential, and the Senate looks forward to working with Governor Lamont and the House to deliver on both.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193

REVISED – MEDIA ADVISORY – 1PM, LOB 1B – PARKINSON’S AWARENESS PRESS CONFERENCE

Posted on April 16, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

MEDIA ADVISORY – 1PM, LOB 1B – PARKINSON’S AWARENESS DAY PRESS CONFERENCE

When: Thursday, April 16, 1 p.m.
Where: Legislative Office Building Room 1B
Who: Legislators and advocates including State Senator Saud Anwar and State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey, Public Health Committee Chairs; Manisha Juthani, Public Health Commissioner; Zach Hardy of the Michael J. Fox Foundation; Dr. Cristina Colon-Semenza of the University of Connecticut; Holly Seymour with the American Parkinson’s Disease Association; Regina Stankaitis, cofounder of the Connecticut Parkinson’s Disease Coalition and who lives with Parkinson’s herself; Carol R. Goldberg, first selectwoman of Bethany and caregiver to a spouse with Parkinson’s Disease

On Thursday, April 16 at 1 p.m. in Room 1B of the Legislative Office Building, advocates and legislators will gather for a Parkinson’s Awareness Day press conference, drawing attention to the disease and its impact on those carrying it, as well as the latest updates and opportunities regarding treatment and research.

MEDIA ADVISORY – 1PM, LOB 1B – PARKINSON’S AWARENESS PRESS CONFERENCE

Posted on April 16, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

MEDIA ADVISORY – 1PM, LOB 1B – PARKINSON’S AWARENESS DAY PRESS CONFERENCE

When: Thursday, April 16, 10 a.m.
Where: Legislative Office Building Room 1B
Who: Legislators and advocates including State Senator Saud Anwar and State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey, Public Health Committee Chairs; Manisha Juthani, Public Health Commissioner; Zach Hardy of the Michael J. Fox Foundation; Dr. Cristina Colon-Semenza of the University of Connecticut; Holly Seymour with the American Parkinson’s Disease Association; Regina Stankaitis, cofounder of the Connecticut Parkinson’s Disease Coalition and who lives with Parkinson’s herself; Carol R. Goldberg, first selectwoman of Bethany and caregiver to a spouse with Parkinson’s Disease

SENATOR CABRERA VOTES TO CRACK DOWN ON CONTRACTOR THEFT IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on April 15, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR CABRERA VOTES TO CRACK DOWN ON CONTRACTOR THEFT IN CONNECTICUT

HARTFORD – Despite some Republican opposition, state Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) today joined several of his Senate colleagues in passing a bill that allows the state to withhold payments to contractors and subcontractors who won’t pay their employees working on state projects.

Senate Bill 268, “AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMPTROLLER TO WITHHOLD PAYMENT FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE PREVAILING WAGE STATUTES,” passed the state Senate today on a bipartisan 31-5 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

One of Sen. Cabrera’s first jobs out of college was visiting job sites and investigating wage theft complaints.

“This is a persistent problem here in Connecticut and throughout the country that has continually been hurting workers. Right underneath our noses, not too far away from here in Meriden, a subcontractor was issued eight — I’ll repeat that, eight — stop work orders impacting over 50 workers and $150,000 in stolen wages,” said Sen. Cabrera, who is Vice-Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. “We’re also not the first state to do this. There are 10 states in our country that have similar bills, similar laws on the books to fight back and help workers whose wages are being stolen every single day, right under our noses, on job sites that we drive by every single day. Many times, these workers don’t have the time, the resources, or the willingness to be able to engage the Department of Labor. It simply takes too long. But this bill empowers us, empowers the State of Connecticut to take swift action and hold these contractors responsible. It’s yet one more tool on the tool belt to make sure that we’re on the side of workers in this country and in this state.”

Joseph P. Toner, Executive Director of the Connecticut State Building Trades Council, testified in support of the bill at its public hearing in February.

“Prevailing wage laws are not abstract policy. They directly impact whether working people are paid what they are legally owed for their labor. Senate Bill 268 addresses those difficult cases by providing an additional, targeted compliance mechanism,” Toner testified. “Senate Bill 268 also reinforces fair competition in the construction industry. Law-abiding contractors who pay proper wages and follow the rules should not be placed at a disadvantage by competitors who gain an edge through illegal practices. Ensuring that state payments are tied to compliance helps protect the integrity of the public contracting process and the responsible employers who operate within it.”

S.B. 268 sets a process for the state comptroller to withhold payment to a contractor or subcontractor who has violated the state’s prevailing wage law. More specifically, it allows the labor commissioner to notify the comptroller when she issues a stop-work order against a contractor or subcontractor for knowingly or willfully failing to pay an employee the prevailing wage required on a public works project.

The bill requires the comptroller, within 10 business days after getting the notice, to notify the contractor or subcontractor that he received the notice and that the contractor or subcontractor must comply with the prevailing wage requirement within 10 business days.

If the contractor or subcontractor remains noncompliant after this 10-day period, the bill allows the comptroller to withhold payment to the contractor or subcontractor until the labor commissioner releases the stop work order, the contractor or subcontractor pays any penalties imposed under the prevailing wage law, or parties finalize a settlement agreement.

Connecticut’s prevailing wage law generally requires contractors and subcontractors on certain public works projects to pay their construction workers wages and benefits equal to those that are customary or prevailing for the same work, in the same occupation, in the same town. The requirement applies to new construction projects costing at least $1 million and renovation projects costing at least $100,000.

Despite some Republican opposition, state Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) today joined several of his Senate colleagues in passing a bill that allows the state to withhold payments to contractors and subcontractors who won’t pay their employees working on state projects.
Senate Bill 268, “AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMPTROLLER TO WITHHOLD PAYMENT FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE PREVAILING WAGE STATUTES,” passed the state Senate today on a bipartisan 31-5 vote.
“This is a persistent problem here in Connecticut…”

SENATOR MAHER LEADS SENATE PASSAGE TO GAIN BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF VOLUNTARY SURRENDER OF INFANTS

Posted on April 15, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR MAHER LEADS SENATE PASSAGE TO GAIN BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF VOLUNTARY SURRENDER OF INFANTS

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, led the Senate’s passage of legislation that would provide better knowledge regarding how Connecticut monitors voluntary surrender of infants.

Connecticut first passed its child surrender laws in 2000, allowing a parent to surrender a child at a hospital with no questions asked, and most recently updated them in 2018. Under Senate Bill 156, the state will develop a task force to monitor the current standards in the state for Safe Surrender, policies and procedures to ensure infants receive care and elements of hospital surrenders, including disparities in access to care or support for parents in crisis.

“It’s been more than a quarter of a century since Connecticut put child surrender laws in place. While we see very low numbers of surrendered infants and newborns in our state, each of those children needs the best protection and support possible,” said Sen. Maher. “Through this task force, we will review the bill through the lens of cultural competency to determine how we can better connect parents in need with resources that may prevent them from surrendering their children, as well as review new opportunities that could better ensure the safety and security of our current systems.”

This legislation received strong support from advocates including Acting Child Advocate Christina Ghio, the Connecticut Hospital Association and Dr. John Brancato, division head of emergency medicine at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Ghio noted the state’s “safe haven” law allows parents to leave a newborn up to 30 days old in the care of a hospital employee anonymously. She reflected that this study can allow for more data, including information on parents who may have sought to surrender a child but were connected to resources aiding them.

The Connecticut Hospital Association welcomed an opportunity to review longstanding policies and noted at least 59 newborns have been surrendered in the last 25 years. It reflected on the need to ensure “warm handoffs,” meaning a child can go directly into hospital care, and said the data can deliver better standards for safety, clinical oversight and compassionate care.

Brancato said this task force offers opportunities to better review medical support and desires recommendations that are feasible and sensitive to the issue’s complex circumstances.

Following today’s 36-0 vote, the bill next heads to the House.

SENATOR MARX LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF ‘GOLDEN GIRLS’ BILL ALLOWING LONG-TERM BEDROOM RENTALS

Posted on April 15, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR MARX LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF ‘GOLDEN GIRLS’ BILL ALLOWING LONG-TERM BEDROOM RENTALS

With the intent to counter high housing costs, improve flexibility for renters and property owners alike and offer new opportunities for living and connection in Connecticut, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London), Senate Chair of the Housing Committee, today led the Senate’s passage of legislation allowing long-term bedroom rentals in single-family houses.

Under existing law, municipalities generally gain control over aspects of housing including off-street parking and rooming or boarding houses. Senate Bill 339, “An Act Allowing Long-Term Rental of Bedrooms in a Single-Family Home As Of Right,” would remove a requirement for an owner-occupant of a single-family dwelling to receive approval to rent up to three bedrooms. It also prevents requirements for variances or zoning classifications for that rental.

It additionally will require the publishing of a model rental agreement rider giving an example of how a landlord and tenant can come to terms on utility and resource use in the process of a rental, among other needs.

“We’re facing a housing shortage, high rental costs and high levels of financial pressure among the public,” said Sen. Marx. “We need solutions that create new opportunities for affordable, reasonable housing, and that’s what this bill represents. It allows flexibility for both landlords, who can rent out specific rooms in their own homes, and renters, who may want to downsize or are seeking affordable alternatives to a traditional rental.

Back in the 1980s, the classic ‘Golden Girls’ sitcom showed more advantages of renting bedrooms: it can offer connections to older renters and owners alike to make connections and come together, cohabitating instead of just coexisting. Its changes are simple, but the changes it promises will make a real difference. I can’t wait until it becomes law.”

In public testimony, the bill received strong support from organizations including the American Institute of Architects, Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG), Pro-Homes CT, the Connecticut Citizen Action Group and the Western Connecticut Council of Governments.

The American Institute of Architects testified the bill offers specific benefits to two groups heavily impacted by the current housing market, young adults and seniors. When the average age of a first-time homebuyer is 38, it said, this offers a flexible, affordable option for young renters, while it could alleviate the housing cost burdens and loneliness and isolation faced by too many seniors.

ProHomes Connecticut noted 75% of American adults want to age in their home or community, but fewer than half believe they’ll be able to do so.

The bill can also aid seniors with household maintenance, such as shoveling snow or mowing the lawn, which could be arduous or challenging for some, RiverCOG testified.

The AIA added that, at one point in American history, up to 10% of rental housing in American cities consisted of room rentals.

The bill passed by a 29-7 vote and previously passed the Housing Committee by a 17-1 tally. It now heads to the House for further consideration.

MEDIA ADVISORY – THURSDAY, 1PM, LOB – PARKINSON’S AWARENESS PRESS CONFERENCE IN LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING

Posted on April 15, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

MEDIA ADVISORY – THURSDAY, 1PM, LOB 1B – PARKINSON’S AWARENESS DAY PRESS CONFERENCE

Senator Gadkar-Wilcox Votes to Pass Bill Reining in ICE Abuses in Connecticut

Posted on April 15, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Senator Gadkar-Wilcox Votes to Pass Bill Reining in ICE Abuses in Connecticut

Sue ICE agents in state court, ban masks, give AG and IG broad new powers; Bill also addresses responsible use of license plate readers

State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox (D-Bridgeport) joined her Democratic state Senate colleagues in debating and passing Senate Bill 397, “An Act Concerning Democracy and Government Accountability,” that could help reduce in Connecticut some of the horrific human rights and Constitutional abuses already committed by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in multiple cities and towns across America.

“Connecticut sent a clear message: the Constitution is not optional, and no one is above it,” said Senator Gadkar-Wilcox. “This gives residents real tools to fight back when their rights are violated. I am proud to have supported this bill because when our federal government retreats from its obligation to protect the people, it is our duty as state legislators to step forward.”

This bill gives people the ability to fight back in court. It forces law enforcement to show their face and be accountable. It gives our Attorney General the tools to act fast when rights are being violated. And it makes clear that if you don’t have the proper training, you don’t get to police the people of this state.

In May 2025, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered ICE to arrest up to 3,000 immigrants every day. Since then, rogue federal ICE agents have mounted an unprecedented national fear campaign of attacks on American citizens – including murder, kidnappings, assaults, violations of Constitutional rights, the vilification of all immigrants, and the politicized enforcement of the law.

Senate Bill 397 was first introduced in the Judiciary Committee on March 3, and had its public hearing on March 9, generating nearly 350 pieces of written testimony and 166 speakers during the 12.5-hour public hearing. The bill was widely supported, particularly by religious institutions.

S.B. 397:

Creates a private right of action in state court to sue federal, state, and local government actors when a person’s Constitutional rights are violated. This so-called “Converse-1983” provision is a term coined in 1987 that will allow court actions not currently available today against federal agents.
Allows the state Attorney General to take swift action to seek an injunction or declaratory relief, and damages, when federal, state, or local government agents are violating a person’s constitutional right. With court approval, the state Attorney General could acquire a temporary injunction in five days or less for ongoing violations or a policy that would violate a person’s Constitutional rights.
Clarifies that the state Inspector General can investigate and prosecute state, local, and some federal agents for the unauthorized use of deadly force. The bill also gives the IG clear and unrestricted access to a crime scene when law enforcement uses deadly force, or when a person dies from the use of force, and allows for a temporary injunction allowing the IG access to investigate and collect evidence.
Prohibits all law enforcement officers — federal, state, local — from covering their faces, albeit with some exceptions. The bill also requires them to wear a badge or name tag.
Prohibits law enforcement — federal, state, or local — from arresting someone for a civil offense in a protected area, unless there is a judicial warrant. This section takes effect October 1, 2026.
Eliminates a law enforcement officer’s immunity if they violate a person’s right to record law enforcement while committing assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or malicious prosecution.
Prevents law enforcement officers with less than 480 hours of training from becoming police officers in Connecticut (federal ICE officers receive about 376 hours of training).

S.B. 397 also tackles the growth of government use (not just by law enforcement) of automated license plate reader systems (ALPR) to ensure that driver data is being handled in a responsible way and not abused by those with bad intent. The bill allows ALPRs to be used for license plates on a “hot list,” but data cannot be held for more than 21 days without an active criminal investigation. License plate data cannot be used to determine race/ethnicity; any activity protected under the First Amendment; suspected immigration status; reproductive health care or gender affirming care; and it protects facilities that provide the above from having a fixed ALPR near them so that patients cannot be tracked for receiving care.

S.B. 397 now heads to the House of Representatives to be debated and passed and then signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont. Most all of its provisions take effect immediately.

SENATOR LESSER VOTES FOR STRONGER TENANT PROTECTIONS

Posted on April 15, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR LESSER VOTES FOR STRONGER TENANT PROTECTIONS

Concierge apartments fiasco cited in his support for new bill

HARTFORD — State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today voted for a bill that strengthens tenant protections by requiring nonresident landlords to register with municipalities and increases penalties for repeat building and fire code violations.

Senate Bill 274, “AN ACT CONCERNING NONRESIDENT LANDLORD REGISTRATION AND INCREASING PENALTIES FOR REPEAT BUILDING AND FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS,” passed the Senate on a purely partisan 24-10 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Sen. Lesser’s vote in support of the bill comes just months after a large apartment complex in Rocky Hill was evacuated after pipes froze and broke, resulting in a loss of water and heat to hundreds of residents; the building’s absentee landlord, J.R.K. Property Holdings and J.R.K. Residential Group, had a history of maintenance problems at the complex.

“I represent the town of Rocky Hill, and this winter, we saw in one exceptionally large complex the culmination of years of underinvestment from an out-of-state, private equity act landlord. The building lost heat and hot water, and due to the scale of the devastation, we had, by some counts, about a thousand people displaced,” Sen. Lesser said in the Senate chamber. “It was very difficult to track down the owners, to get in contact with them, and the only reason they were able to do so expeditiously was that the owner had been involved in prior litigation with the town. We need more tools to track this. Small and medium-sized towns like Rocky Hill really struggle to hold folks accountable for repeat violations of building and fire codes. We saw the Rocky Hill Town Council — led by Mayor Allan Smith, and on a bipartisan basis — come and testify in support of this legislation, because they see it as being directly helpful for combating this particular landlord and holding them accountable and for dealing with similar situations should they arise in the future.”

Senate Bill 274 makes registration mandatory for larger municipalities, requires landlords to provide current residential addresses and identifying information, and ensures that service of a compliance order to that address constitutes valid legal notice.

Under current law, municipalities may ask nonresident property owners to register their contact information, but are not required to. That gap allows absentee landlords, particularly those who own property through corporate entities, to remain difficult to identify and contact when code violations arise.
The bill also increases penalties for repeat violations of the State Building Code and State Fire Safety Code. For a first offense, landlords face fines between $200 and $1,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Repeat offenders face fines of up to $2,000 for building code violations and up to $1,000 for fire code violations, with imprisonment of up to six months also available as a penalty.

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Happy Tax Day: Trump Cut Taxes for Billionaires and Raised Them on Everyone Else

Posted on April 15, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Happy Tax Day: Trump Cut Taxes for Billionaires and Raised Them on Everyone Else

HARTFORD — On Tax Day, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement:

“If you’re not a billionaire, Donald Trump and Washington Republicans raised your taxes. Trump’s tariff program is the largest tax hike since 1993, costing American families an average of $1,600 last year. The Republican federal budget provides tax relief to top earners, while 25% of Americans pay more than $400 extra per year. Coupled with Republicans and Trump increasing health care costs and skyrocketing gas prices, this is the most expensive Tax Day in recent memory. The only people catching a break are the wealthy and well-connected.

“Here in Connecticut, Democrats are doing the opposite. We are working to cut the sales tax on groceries, clothing, and everyday essentials to put money back in the pockets of middle-class families. We will keep delivering for Connecticut families to protect them from the ‘Billionaire First’ policies of Trump and his MAGA allies in the General Assembly.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193