SENATOR HONIG HONES HIS TAX-SAVINGS PAYCHECK PLAN AT THURSDAY ROUNDTABLE

Posted on September 10, 2026 by SDO Automation

SENATOR HONIG HONES HIS TAX-SAVINGS PAYCHECK PLAN AT THURSDAY ROUNDTABLE

Sen. Paul Honig (D-Harwinton), a graduate of the Wharton School of Business who spent more than two decades working in fixed-income finance, led a roundtable discussion today on one of his key public policy proposals: how to make Connecticut’s tax code more efficient to lower residents’ federal taxes and keep more money in people’s pockets.

Sen. Honig first proposed his tax-savings plan back in February, when he introduced Senate Bill 61, “AN ACT ESTABLISHING A VOLUNTARY EMPLOYER PAYROLL TAX AND A PERSONAL INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES.” The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee adopted his idea and raised it in Senate Bill 513.

S.B.513 passed through the Committee with bipartisan support but ultimately did not get called for a vote. However, Sen. Honig’s idea for saving people money did generate enough interest to create a working group to study the matter, which was the focus of today’s Payroll Tax Working Group meeting.

The idea is relatively simple: imagine someone who earns $100,000 per year and who pays $5,000 per year in Connecticut state income taxes. Instead of that, they can take a pay cut to $95,000 but no longer pay Connecticut state income taxes on those wages; their employer pays a $5,000 payroll tax. The employee still nets $95,000 after Connecticut income taxes, and their employer still pays $100,000 in payroll expenses, but now that employee shows $95,000 on their federal income taxes instead of $100,000.

Sen. Honig estimates that a person earning $100,000 a year would see a net savings of $1,117 in state and federal taxes.

“I’ve been fascinated by this idea of payroll tax savings since I first heard about it in 2019; wages are reduced, but taxes are reduced by an even-greater amount, and the result is you get to keep more of your money,” Sen. Honig said today. “I’ve always thought this was an idea that had enormous potential for Connecticut residents, who could save upwards of a billion dollars a year in federal income and payroll taxes. We had a lot of expertise and input in the room today, and I’m encouraged that this idea could have a future in Connecticut.”

The next step is to survey working group members on solutions to issues that were raised, such as mitigating lower Social Security benefits, whether the program should be voluntary or mandatory, and whether the program applies to special classes of employers.

Sen. Honig earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and finance from the University of Pennsylvania. After college, Sen. Honig spent more than 20 years in the financial services industry in New York City, eventually becoming a managing director at JPMorgan Chase Bank. He developed analytical software for bond traders, worked on an interest-rate trading desk, and later taught mathematics for a year before becoming a tutor and a varsity tennis coach.

Media Advisory: Noon, Colchester – Senator Needleman, Colchester First Selectman To Promote $1.728 Million Grant For Norton Park

Posted on September 10, 2026 by SDO Automation

Media Advisory: Noon, Colchester – Senator Needleman, Colchester First Selectman To Promote $1.728 Million Grant For Norton Park

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

Who: State Senator Norm Needleman, Colchester First Selectman Bernie Dennler
Where: 139 Westchester Road, Colchester 06415 (Site of Norton Park upon completion)
When: Thursday, September 10, noon

On Thursday afternoon, Senator Needleman and First Selectman Dennler will promote a $1.728 million grant awarded to Colchester by the State Bond Commission on September 8. The grant supports the completion of Norton Park, a new local recreation park, following the cleanup of the former Norton Paper Mill brownfield site. The park is expected to be complete in the autumn of 2027.

Media Advisory: Thursday – Senator Needleman, Colchester First Selectman To Promote $1.728 Million Grant For Norton Park

Posted on September 9, 2026 by SDO Automation

Media Advisory: Thursday – Senator Needleman, Colchester First Selectman To Promote $1.728 Million Grant For Norton Park

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

Who: State Senator Norm Needleman, Colchester First Selectman Bernie Dennler
Where: 139 Westchester Road, Colchester 06415 (Site of Norton Park upon completion)
When: Thursday, September 10, noon

Sen. Hartley Welcomes $557,800 in State Funding for ACES Chase Academy Capital Improvements

Posted on September 9, 2026 by SDO Automation

Senator Hartley Welcomes $557,800 in State Funding for ACES Chase Academy Capital Improvements

Today, state Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) welcomed the State Bond Commission’s announcement of $557,800 in funding set to support ACES Chase Academy in Waterbury.

The grant is meant for capital expenses and improvements, including roof repairs, boiler replacements, HVAC upgrades and other capital upgrades.

“This funding will make a real difference for ACES Chase Academy and the students who learn there every day,” said Senator Hartley. “Investing in critical infrastructure like roofing, heating and HVAC systems is essential to keeping our schools safe, comfortable and functional. I’m glad to see the state stepping up to support this school and the Waterbury community.”

Sen. Hartley Welcomes $557,800 in State Funding for ACES Chase Academy Capital Improvements

Posted on September 9, 2026 by SDO Automation

Senator Hartley Welcomes $557,800 in State Funding for ACES Chase Academy Capital Improvements

Today, state Senator Joan Hartley (D-Waterbury) welcomed the State Bond Commission’s announcement of $557,800 in funding set to support ACES Chase Academy in Waterbury.

The grant is meant for capital expenses and improvements, including roof repairs, boiler replacements, HVAC upgrades and other capital upgrades.

“This funding will make a real difference for ACES Chase Academy and the students who learn there every day,” said Senator Hartley. “Investing in critical infrastructure like roofing, heating and HVAC systems is essential to keeping our schools safe, comfortable and functional. I’m glad to see the state stepping up to support this school and the Waterbury community.”

STAMFORD DEMOCRATS WELCOME $2 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING TO RENOVATE LATHON WIDER COMMUNITY CENTER

Posted on September 9, 2026 by SDO Automation

STAMFORD DEMOCRATS WELCOME $2 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING TO RENOVATE LATHON WIDER COMMUNITY CENTER

STAMFORD – State Senator Pat Billie Miller (D-Stamford) today joined the State Bond Commission in approving $2 million in state aid for Phase 2 of the renovation of the Lathon Wider Community Center on Henry Street in Stamford.

Stamford is revitalizing Lathon Wider, transforming the historic city-owned building into a modern, full-service community space serving Stamford’s South End neighborhood. The total cost of the project is estimated at $4.5 million, including $2 million in state bonding, $1 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, and $1.5 million in federal Housing and Urban Development funding.

“I want to thank Governor Lamont and the Bond Commission members for recognizing the importance of this project and the impact that these renovations will have on the Stamford community for decades to come,” said Sen. Miller, who serves on the State Bond Commission. “The South End of Stamford is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood that’s growing, and it needs community-based facilities like Lathon Wider to provide people – especially kids – with access to programs and opportunities. I want to create a better environment for our youth and show them that they’re important, and that’s what these renovations will do.”

“This investment in the Lathon Wider Community Center will benefit all of our neighbors in the South End,” said state Representative Eilish Collins Main (D-Stamford). “The Lathon Wider Center has become a vital part of the community and welcomes residents of all ages and backgrounds to access the services and resources. Thank you to the Bond Commission and Governor Lamont for approving this funding and investing back into the Stamford community.”

“The redevelopment of this community center will support the greater community, families and youth of Stamford with opportunities, programs and connections that will benefit them for years to come,” said state Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton). “I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and state leaders for their continued support of Stamford.”

“These vital projects will help ensure the South End serves everyone who lives and works there,” said state Representative Matt Blumenthal (D-Stamford). “The South End is incredibly dynamic and diverse, and it deserves excellent community spaces. These projects will help ensure it does. Thanks to the Governor, our legislative leadership, and our federal delegation to helping make them a reality.”

“I am thrilled the State Bond Commission approved this funding for Stamford’s South End neighborhood, ensuring this community center continues to be a resource for residents,” said state Representative Hubert Delaney (D-Stamford). “This is a major investment in the future of our city and will serve as a resource for years to come.”

“Simply put, our kids deserve the best so that they can do their best, which equates to wins in the classroom and in their everyday lives,” said state Representative Jonathan Jacobson (D-Stamford). “What a bonus it is to have a facility like Lathon Wider to help them on their way. Thank you Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for approving the funding for this wonderful community center.”

“Sure, we can see the costs of improvements to the Lathon Wilder Community Center, but we’ll never be able to put a price tag on the possibilities and experiences our children can gain from a facility such as this godsend to families in the South End,” said state Representative Corey Paris (D-Stamford). “I want to thank Governor Lamont, the State Bond Commission, and the Stamford delegation for their continued commitment to a better Stamford for everyone.”

Constructed over 100 years ago and once serving as a public school, Lathon Wider is home to critical educational, health, childcare, recreational, and community-based services. Following a January 2025 mechanical failure that resulted in more than three feet of water entering the basement and forcing the facility to close, Stamford undertook a $1.25 million emergency restoration and modernization of the building, including three boilers, the electrical switchgear, water-heating equipment, and other mechanical infrastructure. Stamford also installed a modern building-management system capable of remotely monitoring critical mechanical, electrical, and water systems.

The new $2 million in state bonding approved today will fund Phase II of this project and support the comprehensive renovation of the Center’s outdated outdoor playground, as well as the renovation of a currently unoccupied interior space to establish a new South End EMS substation.

The Lathon Wider Community Center serves as an important hub for youth programming, recreation, and community-based services offered by nonprofits, community organizations, and the City of Stamford’s Parks and Recreation Department, providing children and families with greater opportunities to learn, grow, and play.

Looney: Private Equity Has No Place in Public Safety

Posted on September 9, 2026 by SDO Automation

Senator Looney: Private Equity Has No Place in Public Safety

Fire departments across Connecticut are stripping safety equipment from new trucks and stretching aging engines years past schedule because a consolidated fire apparatus industry has pushed costs and wait times to record highs, as CT Insider reported this week. Today, Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven) denounced the private equity consolidation driving the crisis and argued that such firms should have no role in any industry that determines public health or public safety.

Three companies, REV Group, Oshkosh Corporation’s Pierce Manufacturing, and Rosenbauer, now control most of the market, a concentration that a bipartisan congressional resolution filed in July traces largely to the serial acquisition of independent manufacturers by private equity firms. Over the past decade, the price of a pumper truck has roughly doubled to nearly $1 million and a ladder truck has climbed toward $2 million, while delivery times have stretched from one or two years to more than four.

“We have seen what happens when private equity takes over an essential public service, and in the General Assembly we refused to accept it in our hospitals and nursing homes,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “Prospect stripped three Connecticut hospitals for profit and walked away in bankruptcy, and the same playbook is now driving up the cost of fire protection and putting firefighters and residents at risk. Private equity has no legitimate role in any enterprise whose purpose is public health or public safety, because the drive to extract the highest possible return can never be reconciled with the duty to keep people alive and safe. Our towns and fire districts do not have to face this alone, and I believe they have a real opportunity to meet this moment together, pooling their purchasing power and sharing resources across municipal lines so that our communities, and not distant investors, set the terms.”

Senate Democrats have recently taken on private equity, in a field where lives are equally at stake. Under private equity ownership, Prospect Medical Holdings cut services and nearly destroyed three of the state’s hospitals in Waterbury, Manchester, and Rockville before declaring bankruptcy in 2025 and leaving thousands of patients without proper care. In response, Senate Democrats passed Public Act 26-22, barring hospitals from the sale-leaseback deals private equity favors and requiring them to attest each year that no private equity entity controls the hospital or its clinical decisions, along with Public Act 26-103, which tightens ownership and financial disclosure requirements for for-profit investment in nursing homes.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Recognized by South Asian Bar Association

Posted on September 9, 2026 by SDO Automation

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Recognized by South Asian Bar Association

Tonight, State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox will be recognized by the South Asian Bar Association of Connecticut (SABAC) as the Distinguished Legal Professional of the Year and the Annual Awards Gala Keynote Speaker.

Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox is a state senator and a Professor of Legal Studies at Quinnipiac University. She is the Executive Director of the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights and a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar. She is also the first woman of Indian origin to serve as a Senator in the State of Connecticut.

“The South Asian Bar Association has been a fantastic resource for me as a law professional and has helped encourage and celebrate diversity in the legal world,” said Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox. “I am honored to receive this award and serve as the keynote speaker for the annual awards gala, where I hope I can share my story and encourage others in the South Asian community to explore public office and ensure our voices are represented where laws are being made.”

SABAC was formed in 2004 to serve as a resource to South Asian lawyers and law students for growth, professional development, networking, and community outreach. SABAC is a member organization of the South Asian Bar Association of North America.

Middletown Delegation Welcomes $900k for Park Facilities

Posted on September 8, 2026 by SDO Automation

Middletown Delegation Welcomes $900k for Park Facilities

MIDDLETOWN – Today, State Senators Matt Lesser and Jan Hochadel, and State Representatives Kai Belton and Brandon Chafee welcome $900,000 from the State Bond Commission for prefabricated restroom facilities at Smith Park, Butternut Park and Harbor Park in Middletown.

The project includes the installation of precast concrete restroom facilities, made for high-use public environments at three city parks. The facilities will be ADA-compliant and accessible, and will feature heating, LED lighting, sensor operated plumbing fixtures and call-for-aid stations.

“I am grateful to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for their continued support of recreation in Middletown,” said Sen. Lesser. “From the playgrounds at Smith Park and Butternut Park to Harbor Park, these are some of Middletown’s best public spaces. This will improve quality of life for all of our residents.”

“This funding addresses an overdue need for residents and visitors in our parks in Middletown,” said Sen. Hochadel. “It makes our parks more accessible and welcoming for families, seniors, and anyone enjoying our green spaces. Public parks are one of the best investments a community can make and something as simple as reliable restroom access can make a real difference in heading to our parks together.”

“These bathrooms are low-maintenance, ADA-compliant, and vandal-proof, ensuring long-term durability,” Rep. Belton said. “Our residents deserve top-notch facilities at our public parks. These bathrooms will be great additions. Many thanks to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for approving these funds.”

I am grateful that the state making this investment in Middletown’s parks,” said Rep. Chafee. “Permanent bathroom facilities are long overdue and will make these parks much more family friendly. I’d like to thank Governor Lamont for making this investment, and the Middletown delegation for working to secure these funds.”

“The installation of precast restroom facilities represents a practical, efficient, and durable solution for expanding and improving public amenities throughout our city parks,” said Middletown Mayor Gene Nocera. “This innovative approach minimizes construction impacts while providing high-quality, long-lasting infrastructure that meets the needs of our residents and visitors. We are especially grateful to our state Senator Matt Lesser as well as Representatives Brandon Chafee, and Kai Belton for their leadership and assistance in securing funding for these precast restroom facilities for the City of Middletown. This grant represents a significant investment in Middletown, providing both substantial economic and practical benefits. It allows us to enhance our parks and recreational facilities while being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources. Most importantly, these improvements will provide our residents and visitors with better, more accessible public amenities for years to come. We sincerely thank our legislators for their partnership and commitment to Middletown and our community.”

Sen. Cohen Welcomes $52.9M for Connecticut Farmers

Posted on September 8, 2026September 9, 2026 by SDO Automation

Sen. Cohen Welcomes $52.9M for Connecticut Farmers

Today, State Senator Christine Cohen welcomed news that Connecticut will receive a $52.9 million Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant for farmers who experienced weather related losses in 2023 and 2024.

Constituent Willie Dellacamera of Cecarelli’s Harrison Hill Farm in Northford has been instrumental in getting these dollars to Connecticut farmers. He made headlines in 2024 when a hail storm decimated his crops and ability to make a living. Demanding federal assistance for local farmers across the country, Willie drove his tractor to Washington D.C. to advocate for a $220 million federal block grant to support small and medium farms like his, as well as $21 billion to cover agriculture losses caused by natural disasters.

The block grant funding was approved in December of 2024 and included $23 million for Connecticut farms; however funding was not released until July 2026.

In 2025 while the federal support remained in limbo, Senator Cohen, Willie Dellacamera, Keith Bishop of Bishop’s Orchards and many others worked together to pass comprehensive legislation to support Connecticut farms, including a state-backed safety net for farmers facing crop losses due to extreme weather.

“Farmers are critical to our food supply and they are faced with all sorts of obstacles – extreme weather events, tariffs, cold snaps, insects and more,” said Sen. Cohen. “When they are facing tough times, they need to know that we have their backs. I am so grateful to Willie for his advocacy and resilience, ensuring these dollars will finally reach the farmers who need it. I hope that the federal government will answer the call more promptly the next time our farmers need a hand.”

If you are a Connecticut farmer who experienced weather-related losses please visit https://portal.ct.gov/FRS to apply for assistance.