Author: Devin James

SEN. KUSHNER LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO WITHHOLD PAYMENTS FOR VIOLATING PREVAILING WAGE LAWS

Posted on by Devin James

SEN. KUSHNER LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO WITHHOLD PAYMENTS FOR VIOLATING PREVAILING WAGE LAWS

HARTFORD – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) today led bipartisan Senate passage of a bill that will withhold state payments to contractors who are found guilty of violating prevailing wage laws while working on state projects.

Senate Bill 1488, “AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMPTROLLER TO WITHHOLD PAYMENT FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE PREVAILING WAGE STATUTES,” passed the Senate on a bipartisan 27-8 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“This bill is just good common sense in that the state shouldn’t be paying on a state project where the contractor has violated state law and has ceased working,” Sen. Kushner said. “Why would we continue to pay them?”

SB 1488 allows the labor commissioner to notify the state comptroller when she has issued a stop work order against a contractor or subcontractor for a prevailing wage violation on a public works project. Once the comptroller receives that notice, he may withhold payment to the contractor or subcontractor the order was issued against until the (1) labor commissioner releases the stop work order, (2) the contractor or subcontractor pays any penalties imposed under

the prevailing wage law or the law on additional wage-related penalties, or (3) the 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.

Two years ago, Sen. Kushner led Senate passage of a different bill to strengthen the penalties against contractors who refuse to pay their employees the prevailing wage on building projects, or who don’t maintain worker’s compensation insurance in case one of their workers is injured on the job. In 2023, Senate Bill 1035 broadened the state Department of Labor’s authority to issue stop work orders to include instances where a contractor or a subcontractor knowingly or willfully pays an employee less than the prevailing wage that’s required on a public works project. That bill also increased the civil penalty for violating a stop work order from $1,000 a day to $5,000 for each day that an order is violated.

Senator Hochadel Votes to Increase Scholarships for Connecticut Students

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Votes to Increase Scholarships for Connecticut Students

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, voted Wednesday to pass Senate Bill 5 – An Act Concerning Higher Education Affordability and Accountability. This legislation makes college more affordable by ensuring that the state’s Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Foundation functions as intended by providing financial relief on a needs-basis for Connecticut students attending four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut.

Currently, Roberta B. Willis Scholarships are on average between $4,500 and $5,200.These scholarships are intended to help incentivize Connecticut’s students to stay in-state in their pursuit of higher education.

A hallmark of the bill is the requirement for the Office of Higher Education to notify institutions by Nov. 1 of each year of the amount of funds allocated to each institution for need-based grants for the following fiscal year. This means that institutions can notify students of their full aid package at the time of admission, which will help students weigh the benefits of enrolling in-state accurately.

“For too many students, pursuing an education means taking on enough debt to hold them back for years after graduation,” Senator Hochadel said. “Making college more affordable helps students focus on learning instead of how they’re going to pay for it. Strengthening our scholarship program is an investment in our future workforce and Connecticut’s long-term success.”

With the future of federal funding for financial aid programs in question, this legislation seeks to invest in Connecticut students, schools and our workforce.

Currently, Connecticut’s investment into needs-based scholarships is among the lowest in the country. According to a NASSGAP survey, forty-three other states spend a greater percentage of state funding for higher education on student aid than Connecticut does. Connecticut also loses 40-percent of its young adults to colleges and universities in other states.

“The cost of higher education continues to grow, and our underfunded state scholarship program encourages students to seek education elsewhere,” Senate President Martin Looney said. “By investing in our students, we are allowing Connecticut students to stay in this state to receive their education, enter the workforce, grow our economy and enjoy the high-quality life we have built here in Connecticut.”

“Right now, the federal government is taking aim at higher education,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said. “In Connecticut, we know that a highly skilled workforce is the lifeblood of a strong economy. This legislation ensures not only that we are retaining talent, but that we are providing some relief to hardworking students and their families when it comes to the rising cost of higher education.”

Over the last several years Democrat led legislation has expanded access to higher education through debt-free community college, Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) and expanding access to lower interest CHESLA loans.

Senator Maroney Leads Senate Passage of Artificial Intelligence Bill

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Maroney Leads Senate Passage of Artificial Intelligence Bill

Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Chair of the General Law Committee, led Senate Passage on a Senate Democratic Caucus priority bill concerning the application of Artificial Intelligence.

Senate Bill 2, ‘An Act Concerning Artificial Intelligence’, will work to create regulations for Artificial Intelligence in Connecticut. This bill will focus on:

1.Transparency and accountability;

2.Training Connecticut’s workforce to use artificial intelligence;

3.Criminalization of non-consensual intimate images

“With this legislation, we are taking a big step forward to protect our communities from the risks of artificial intelligence, promote innovation that reflects our values, and empower every resident with the skills they need to thrive,” said Senator Maroney. “This bill positions us as a national leader in responsible innovation—ensuring that AI works for everyone and that no one is left behind in our rapidly evolving economy.”

Senate Bill 2:
Transparency and Accountability

This legislation will work to put in appropriate safety guardrails in areas where AI is being used to make important decisions about people’s lives, like housing, lending, employment, and government services. 80-88% of companies are using AI to make employment decisions. 50-70% (depending on survey) or large landlords are using AI for screening tenants.

A key provision of the newly introduced bill focuses on transparency in the use of artificial intelligence, ensuring that consumers are fully informed when interacting with AI systems. Under this legislation, companies will be required to clearly disclose when an individual is engaging with AI rather than a human. If AI is being used to make consequential decisions—such as those affecting employment, credit, housing, healthcare, or other critical services—businesses must explicitly inform individuals of this use. By mandating clear disclosures, the bill aims to uphold consumer rights, promote accountability, and build public trust in the deployment of AI technologies.

Connecticut will build upon legislation passed in 2023 that encompasses transparency and accountability surrounding AI. These companies will need to show proper safety parameters are being made to protect consumers from the potential hazards of AI.

Artificial intelligence is fast becoming a regular part of daily life, shaping the way Americans work, play and receive essential services.  A recent Pew Research Center report highlighted an increasing call for regulation in this area finding that six-in-tend US adults say they’re skeptical of industry efforts around responsible AI and that companies will not go far enough to develop and use AI responsibility without regulation.

Training Connecticut’s Workforce to use Artificial Intelligence

The intersection of workforce development and artificial intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and challenges. While AI can improve productivity and lead to innovations, its impact on the workforce has raised concerns about potential negative consequences.

Challenges can include automation, skill gaps and economic inequality. While AI can create new jobs, these roles often require specialized skills, meaning employees may need to reskill, which can be difficult without access to education or training programs. To mitigate these challenges, workforce retraining should be made accessible. This legislation will work to provide training opportunities to Connecticut residents while reaching people where they are.

The bill calls for the creation of the AI Safety Institute, a new resource in the state of Connecticut dedicated to promoting responsible, ethical and trust-worthy AI development. The Institute will provide tools, guidance, and best practices to help businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—design AI systems that are safe, unbiased, and aligned with internationally recognized standards. It will encourage organizations to conduct impact assessments and adopt industry-leading practices from the outset of AI development. By working at the cross-section of industry, academic research, and policy, the AI Safety institute will help ensure that there is a collaborative approach to stay current and push the boundary of how trust-worthy AI is developed and deployed promoting innovation in the region and beyond.

In tandem, the newly established AI Academy will offer training courses to help individuals and businesses learn how to use AI technologies effectively and responsibly. Together, the AI Safety Institute and AI Academy will serve as vital resources to ensure that AI systems used in Connecticut are transparent, trustworthy, and aligned with the public interest.

Recognizing that artificial intelligence will significantly shape the future of work, the bill directs the Department of Labor to begin monitoring and reporting on the impact of AI on the workforce. This includes tracking job displacement, job creation, and changes in the nature of work driven by AI technologies. By systematically collecting and analyzing this data, the state aims to better understand emerging labor trends and ensure that workforce development strategies are aligned with the evolving demands of the AI era.
50% of gateway jobs are at risk of being automated by generative AI. Under this legislation, we will work to provide opportunities to get careers and provide skills to stay relevant in today’s job market.

Hiring algorithms have been shown to discriminate based on age. Some algorithms have given higher interest rates for loans based on race, and many government used algorithms in other states, ranging from provision of SNAP benefits to deciding when to investigate reported incidents of child abuse, have been shown to discriminate based on income.

The online world has the increased capacity to store data online that can relinquish unwanted results. AI can produce ethical challenges including lack of transparency and un-neutralized decisions. Choices made through AI can be susceptible to inaccuracies, discriminatory outcomes, and inserted bias.
Recently, an AI Caucus was created in Connecticut. The AI Caucus will advocate for policies that ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence. By fostering collaboration between lawmakers, industry leaders, and experts, the caucus aims to promote AI systems that are fair, unbiased, and aligned with public interests.

Criminalizing Deepfake Porn 

Under this legislation, the bill will work to prohibit the use of AI to make deepfake porn of people, including the use of AI to create revenge porn.

In November of 2023, an undisclosed number of girls at a New Jersey high school learned that one or more students at their school had used an artificial intelligence tool to generate what appeared to be nude images of them. Those images were being shared among classmates. These AI-generated images that impose a face or body onto another to make it look like someone else is a called a deepfake photo.
Not all deepfake photos are porn; any time a face is imposed onto another body or a face is used to assign spoken words to someone who did not say the thing, it is a deepfake (no nudity required).

Deepfakes can use the face, voice or partial image of a real person and meld it with other imagery to make it look or sound like a depiction of that person. Under this proposal, there will be an update made to the revenge porn statutes to include generative AI images & put prohibition on models on child porn or nonconsensual images.

More Background
On May 17, 2024, Colorado passed the first comprehensive Artificial Intelligence bill in the United States. Colorado’s bill will impose obligations on developers and deployers of high-risk AI systems in an effort to protect consumers from discriminatory consequential decisions by such systems. It primarily targets AI systems that make significant decisions impacting individuals access to services like education, employment and healthcare.

This year, Connecticut formed the Artificial Intelligence Caucus with the foal to ensure that AI serves the public good and does not become a tool for harm. The AI Caucus will work with our advocates to facilitate innovation and prevent discrimination in AI.

SENATOR ANWAR JOINS SENATE PASSAGE OF AI LEGISLATION FOCUSED ON PROPER USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR ANWAR JOINS SENATE PASSAGE OF AI LEGISLATION FOCUSED ON PROPER USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Senate’s passage of legislation aimed at regulating Artificial Intelligence in Connecticut. This bill seeks to regulate transparency and accountability of AI, implement workforce training and criminalize improper uses of AI technology.

The bill seeks to make Connecticut just the second state to implement regulated use of AI as both the adoption and risks of misuse has grown in the past few years.

“Artificial intelligence has opportunities to deliver real positive and meaningful change in a number of industries. It also has significant downsides in adoption and use without guardrails, and without better monitoring, it stands the risk of harming Connecticut residents,” said Sen. Anwar. “I applaud my colleagues for developing thorough legislation seeking to improve transparency, accountability, training opportunities and oversight of AI, especially regarding misuse of deepfakes. These are strong steps forward in a fluid environment that can make our state a leader in how to best support AI.”

Senate Bill 2, “An Act Concerning Artificial Intelligence,” focuses specifically on transparency and accountability, workforce training and criminalization of non-consensual intimate images in the use of AI technology.

Regarding transparency, the bill seeks to ensure consumers are informed when they are interacting with AI platforms and chatbots instead of humans. Businesses must also inform the public when AI is being used to make consequential decisions, such as those that could impact employment, housing or health care, with the intent of upholding consumer rights and improving public trust in AI adoption.

These steps could not come sooner; according to Pew Research, as many as 60% of Americans are skeptical about responsible use of AI and believe companies will not focus on responsible use of the technology.

Additionally, the bill seeks to create an AI Safety Institute and an AI Academy, which will respectively support businesses in building safe AI systems without bias and offer training courses to individuals and businesses to encourage effective, responsible use of the technology. These will support training and potential retraining of workers while encouraging development of responsible AI without bias or discrimination, which could come unconsciously.

Finally, the bill seeks to prohibit the use of AI to develop “deepfake porn” or “revenge porn”; under the bill, “revenge porn” statutes will include generative AI images and prohibit development of functions on nonconsensual or underage image.

The bill passed the Senate by a 32-4 tally.

Looney & Winfield Support Passage of Bill to Strengthen Housing Code Enforcement in New Haven

Posted on by Devin James

Looney & Winfield Support Passage of Bill to Strengthen Housing Code Enforcement in New Haven

HARTFORD—Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and State Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) today voted in support of passage of Senate Bill 1317, “An Act Concerning Liens for Violations of the Housing Code or Public Place Ordinances.” The bill, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support, aims to enhance the ability of municipalities to enforce housing and public place ordinances by allowing unpaid penalties to become liens on the associated properties.

“This legislation is a critical tool for cities like New Haven to ensure that property owners are held accountable for maintaining safe and healthy living conditions,” said Senator Looney. “By enabling municipalities to place liens for unpaid penalties, we are reinforcing the importance of adhering to housing codes and public ordinances. Stregthening enforcement will ultimately benefit all residents and prevent creeping blight in our neighborhoods.”

“When housing density is high, it only takes a few violations to impact entire neighborhoods,” said Senator Winfield. “This bill empowers New Haven and other cities to take necessary actions to uphold housing standards and protect public spaces.”

SB 1317 addresses the challenges municipalities face in collecting fines for housing code violations and public place ordinance infractions. By permitting unpaid penalties to constitute liens on real estate from the date of the penalty, the bill provides a more effective mechanism for municipalities to enforce compliance and maintain community standards.

The bill, which passed 29-6 in the Senate, is now awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives.

Looney & Winfield Support Passage of Bill to Strengthen Housing Code Enforcement in New Haven

Posted on by Devin James

Looney & Winfield Support Passage of Bill to Strengthen Housing Code Enforcement in New Haven

HARTFORD—Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and State Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) today voted in support of passage of Senate Bill 1317, “An Act Concerning Liens for Violations of the Housing Code or Public Place Ordinances.” The bill, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support, aims to enhance the ability of municipalities to enforce housing and public place ordinances by allowing unpaid penalties to become liens on the associated properties.

“This legislation is a critical tool for cities like New Haven to ensure that property owners are held accountable for maintaining safe and healthy living conditions,” said Senator Looney. “By enabling municipalities to place liens for unpaid penalties, we are reinforcing the importance of adhering to housing codes and public ordinances. Stregthening enforcement will ultimately benefit all residents and prevent creeping blight in our neighborhoods.”

“When housing density is high, it only takes a few violations to impact entire neighborhoods,” said Senator Winfield. “This bill empowers New Haven and other cities to take necessary actions to uphold housing standards and protect public spaces.”

SB 1317 addresses the challenges municipalities face in collecting fines for housing code violations and public place ordinance infractions. By permitting unpaid penalties to constitute liens on real estate from the date of the penalty, the bill provides a more effective mechanism for municipalities to enforce compliance and maintain community standards.

The bill, which passed 29-6 in the Senate, is now awaiting consideration in the House of Representatives.

Senator Anwar Joins Passage Of Legislation Supporting Thousands of CT College Students

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Anwar Joins Passage Of Legislation Supporting Thousands of CT College Students

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 5, “An Act Concerning Higher Education Affordability and Accountability.” This legislation is a top priority of Connecticut Senate Democrats and takes aim at college affordability by ensuring that the state’s Roberta B. Willis scholarship foundation which provides financial relief on a needs-basis for Connecticut students attending four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut, excluding community colleges, functions as intended.

“Connecticut’s colleges and universities are supporting countless students today, but growing costs mean students are looking for the best opportunities for them – which doesn’t always mean staying in Connecticut,” said Sen. Anwar. “This bill seeks to fix a program needing attention to ensure its maximum utilization by students, a shift that should support thousands of Connecticut students to stay in-state for higher education and possibly build careers and lives here.”

Currently, Roberta B. Willis Scholarships are on average between $4,500 and $5,200. These scholarships are intended to help incentivize Connecticut’s students to stay in-state in their pursuit of higher education.

A hallmark of the bill is the requirement for the Office of Higher Education to notify institutions by November 1 of each year of the amount of funds allocated to each institution for need-based grants for the following fiscal year. This means that institutions can notify students of their full aid package at the time of admission, which will help students weigh the benefits of enrolling in-state accurately.

With the future of federal funding for financial aid programs in question, this legislation seeks to invest in Connecticut students, schools and our workforce.

Currently, Connecticut’s investment into needs-based scholarships is among the lowest in the country. According to a NASSGAP survey, forty-three other states spend a greater percentage of state funding for higher education on student aid than Connecticut does. Connecticut also loses 40-percent of its young adults to colleges and universities in other states.

Over the last several years Democrat led legislation has expanded access to higher education through debt-free community college, Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) and expanding access to lower interest CHESLA loans.

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

Posted on by Devin James

Sen. Gadkar-Wilcox Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox voted to pass Senate Bill 5 – An Act Concerning Higher Education Affordability and Accountability. This legislation is a top priority of the Senate Democrats and takes aim at college affordability by ensuring that the state’s Roberta B. Willis scholarship foundation which provides financial relief on a needs-basis for Connecticut students attending four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut, excluding community colleges, functions as intended.

Currently, Roberta B. Willis Scholarships are on average between $4,500 and $5,200. These scholarships are intended to help incentivize Connecticut’s students to stay in-state in their pursuit of higher education.

The program’s funding was supplemented by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars which have expired, and the Appropriations Committee budget included an additional $16.5 million to replenish expiring funds so that no students will lose funding.

A hallmark of the bill is the requirement for the Office of Higher Education to notify institutions by November 1 of each year of the amount of funds allocated to each institution for need-based grants for the following fiscal year. This means that institutions can notify students of their full aid package at the time of admission, which will help students weigh the benefits of enrolling in-state accurately.

With the future of federal funding for financial aid programs in question, this legislation seeks to invest in Connecticut students, schools and our workforce.

Currently, Connecticut’s investment into needs-based scholarships is among the lowest in the country. According to a NASSGAP survey, forty-three other states spend a greater percentage of state funding for higher education on student aid than Connecticut does. Connecticut also loses 40-percent of its young adults to colleges and universities in other states.

“I am here as a state senator, a lawyer and a professor because my father gained access to higher education. He was the first person in his family to get a college education, and that access point has made a difference to our family across continents and generations, and that story rings true for so many American families,” said Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox. “Higher education trains our future leaders and our society benefits most when we lift up the voices of those who historically have not had a seat at the table. This legislation creates that opportunity and I am proud to vote in favor today.”

Over the last several years Democrat led legislation has expanded access to higher education through debt-free community college, Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) and expanding access to lower interest CHESLA loans.

Senator Maroney Leads Senate Passage of Data Privacy and Online Safety Bill

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Maroney Leads Senate Passage of Data Privacy and Online Safety Bill

Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford), Chair of the General Law Committee, led Senate Passage of a bill that will amend laws related to consumer data privacy, social media, and youth online monitoring. The bill also seeks to introduce registration and regulation requirements for data brokers.

Senate Bill 1356, ‘An Act Concerning Data Privacy, Online Monitoring, Social Media, Data Brokers And Connected Vehicle Services,

“There is an increasing need for websites to take greater responsibility in implementing robust data security measures,” said Sen. Maroney. “As online platforms continue to collect and process vast amounts of personal information, ensuring the protection of user data should be a top priority. As we have seen from recent chatbox’s engaging children in sexualized conversations, we need to do more to protect children from harm online.”

Senate Bill 1356 builds on our state’s landmark Connecticut Data Privacy Act (PA 22-15). It covers more consumers under the act by widening the threshold for its applicability. It gives consumers more information and options regarding how their data is used. It increases platform responsibility to protect children.

In further efforts to protect consumers, it requires data brokers to be registered with DCP. And lastly, the bill protects victims of domestic violence and similar crimes by protecting their car’s data from the person who has abused them.

This bill will:

-require websites aimed toward children to have a cyberbullying and mental health resources page. The measure aims to provide young users with immediate access to support and guidance, promoting safer and more supportive online environments.

-establish the right for individuals to know if they are being digitally profiled, empowering them with greater transparency. This provision ensures users can make informed choices and exercise their right to opt out of data profiling practices.

-strengthen protections for children in Connecticut by prohibiting targeted advertising aimed at them. This move aims to safeguard young users’ privacy and reduce the influence of manipulative marketing tactics online.

-mandate data protection assessments to evaluate potential risks associated with data collection and processing. These assessments must specifically test for heightened risks of harm, ensuring that companies proactively identify and address threats to users’ privacy and safety.

-prohibit the use of addictive features designed to engage children, aiming to promote healthier online habits. It requires tools to prevent adults from directly communicating with children without proper safeguards, and gives children the ability to consent to their own data profiling and employment-related activities, ensuring greater control over their digital lives.

In 2024, there were 1900 data breaches in Connecticut. With this legislation, more websites will be held responsible for ensuring there is data security on their sites. Prioritizing data security, websites can enhance user trust, prevent breaches, and comply with evolving privacy regulations, ultimately fostering a safer digital environment.

Senate Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Passes Legislation Impacting Thousands of CT Students

Today, State Senator Derek Slap, Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, led passage of Senate Bill 5 – An Act Concerning Higher Education Affordability and Accountability. This legislation is a top priority of the Senate Democrats and takes aim at college affordability by ensuring that the state’s Roberta B. Willis scholarship foundation which provides financial relief on a needs-basis for Connecticut students attending four-year colleges and universities in Connecticut, excluding community colleges, functions as intended. The legislation passed unanimously and now heads to the House.

Currently, Roberta B. Willis Scholarships are on average between $4,500 and $5,200. These scholarships are intended to help incentivize Connecticut’s students to stay in-state in their pursuit of higher education.

The program’s funding was supplemented by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars which have expired, and the Appropriations Committee budget included an additional $16.5 million to replenish expiring funds so that no students will lose funding.

A hallmark of the bill is the requirement for the Office of Higher Education to notify institutions by November 1 of each year of the amount of funds allocated to each institution for need-based grants for the following fiscal year. This means that institutions can notify students of their full aid package at the time of admission, which will help students weigh the benefits of enrolling in-state accurately.

With the future of federal funding for financial aid programs in question, this legislation seeks to invest in Connecticut students, schools and our workforce.

Currently, Connecticut’s investment into needs-based scholarships is among the lowest in the country. According to a NASSGAP survey, forty-three other states spend a greater percentage of state funding for higher education on student aid than Connecticut does. Connecticut also loses 40-percent of its young adults to colleges and universities in other states.

“The cost of higher education continues to grow, and our underfunded state scholarship program encourages students to seek education elsewhere,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “By investing in our students and giving them timely notice of the amount of their Roberta Willis grants, we are allowing Connecticut students to stay in this state to receive their education, enter the workforce, grow our economy and enjoy the high quality life we have built here in Connecticut.”

“Today we are taking a big step to make higher education more affordable for families,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. “In Connecticut, we know that a highly skilled workforce is the lifeblood of a strong economy. This legislation ensures not only that we are retaining talent, but that we are providing some relief to hardworking students and their families when it comes to the rising cost of higher education.”

“It is critical that we increase state support for the scholarship program and ensure high school seniors are notified of their award before they decide where to attend college,” said Sen. Derek Slap. “By passing this bill we increase the likelihood students can afford college – and can stay in Connecticut for their education.”

Over the last several years Democrat led legislation has expanded access to higher education through debt-free community college, Connecticut Automatic Admission Program (CAAP) and expanding access to lower interest CHESLA loans.