Author: Devin James

New Report Details CT’s GDP, Revenue, and Job Losses from Republican Budget Plan

Posted on by Devin James

New Report Details CT’s GDP, Revenue, and Job Losses from Republican Budget Plan

Sens. Looney, Duff and Lesser react to a new report that details millions of Connecticut residents will lose healthcare and food assistance, while the state economy loses billions in economic activity and thousands of jobs.

HARTFORD – A new report from The Commonwealth Fund paints a devastating picture of the effects of the proposed budget plan led by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans. The budget plan would take away millions of Connecticut residents’ healthcare and food assistance, and this latest report also predicts over a billion dollars in reduced economic activity, over a hundred million less in state revenue and nearly ten thousand jobs lost – just in fiscal year 2026.

The Congressional budget plan requires cuts of $880 billion over the next 10 years, which would necessitate sweeping cuts to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides healthcare to people with disabilities, those below a certain income line, children and seniors. SNAP is a food assistance program that helps supplement grocery budgets for lower income families, seniors and those with disabilities.

The budget plan Republicans are moving through Congress requires broad cuts to direct healthcare and food assistance programs, but these programs also have significant impacts to the national and state economies. In fiscal year 2026 alone, Medicaid and SNAP cuts are predicted to bring on $1.16 billion in GDP loss for Connecticut’s economy, 9,400 Connecticut residents are expected to lose their jobs and local and state tax loss will exceed $120 million.

The nationwide impacts are severe: over $112 billion in GDP loss, over one million American jobs lost, and nearly $9 billion in local and state tax loss.

“At a time when Americans are struggling to pay for groceries, rent, healthcare and are bracing themselves for the effects of Trump’s tariffs, it is unconscionable that this administration is pursuing cuts to programs that offer food and healthcare to our most vulnerable,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “The numbers in this report are staggering and each one represents a Connecticut resident who will forgo necessary treatments, ration their meals or lose their job These policies will also undermine and destabilize Connecticut’s economy after years of careful management.”

“While Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans take a chainsaw to the federal budget, they are cutting programs that meet Americans’ basic needs,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. “These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, there is real and significant human cost to these cuts. Connecticut residents and Americans across the country will lose their healthcare, children, seniors and those with disabilities will lose food assistance and go hungry, thousands will lose jobs and local and state economies will be devastated. Republicans in Congress need to find their backbone and stand up for the very people who sent them to Washington D.C.”

“This report confirmed what we feared, we are staring down the barrel of a devastating federal budget,” said State Senator Matt Lesser, Chair of the Human Services Committee. “SNAP and Medicaid help millions of Connecticut residents stay healthy and fed, and without these programs Connecticut residents will skip meals, lose healthcare coverage and forgo care, rural hospitals will close and to put it bluntly – people will die.”

New Report Details CT’s GDP, Revenue, and Job Losses from Republican Budget Plan

Posted on by Devin James

New Report Details CT’s GDP, Revenue, and Job Losses from Republican Budget Plan

Sens. Looney, Duff and Lesser react to a new report that details millions of Connecticut residents will lose healthcare and food assistance, while the state economy loses billions in economic activity and thousands of jobs.

HARTFORD – A new report from The Commonwealth Fund paints a devastating picture of the effects of the proposed budget plan led by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans. The budget plan would take away millions of Connecticut residents’ healthcare and food assistance, and this latest report also predicts over a billion dollars in reduced economic activity, over a hundred million less in state revenue and nearly ten thousand jobs lost – just in fiscal year 2026.

The Congressional budget plan requires cuts of $880 billion over the next 10 years, which would necessitate sweeping cuts to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides healthcare to people with disabilities, those below a certain income line, children and seniors. SNAP is a food assistance program that helps supplement grocery budgets for lower income families, seniors and those with disabilities.

The budget plan Republicans are moving through Congress requires broad cuts to direct healthcare and food assistance programs, but these programs also have significant impacts to the national and state economies. In fiscal year 2026 alone, Medicaid and SNAP cuts are predicted to bring on $1.16 billion in GDP loss for Connecticut’s economy, 9,400 Connecticut residents are expected to lose their jobs and local and state tax loss will exceed $120 million.

The nationwide impacts are severe: over $112 billion in GDP loss, over one million American jobs lost, and nearly $9 billion in local and state tax loss.

“At a time when Americans are struggling to pay for groceries, rent, healthcare and are bracing themselves for the effects of Trump’s tariffs, it is unconscionable that this administration is pursuing cuts to programs that offer food and healthcare to our most vulnerable,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “The numbers in this report are staggering and each one represents a Connecticut resident who will forgo necessary treatments, ration their meals or lose their job These policies will also undermine and destabilize Connecticut’s economy after years of careful management.”

“While Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans take a chainsaw to the federal budget, they are cutting programs that meet Americans’ basic needs,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. “These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, there is real and significant human cost to these cuts. Connecticut residents and Americans across the country will lose their healthcare, children, seniors and those with disabilities will lose food assistance and go hungry, thousands will lose jobs and local and state economies will be devastated. Republicans in Congress need to find their backbone and stand up for the very people who sent them to Washington D.C.”

“This report confirmed what we feared, we are staring down the barrel of a devastating federal budget,” said State Senator Matt Lesser, Chair of the Human Services Committee. “SNAP and Medicaid help millions of Connecticut residents stay healthy and fed, and without these programs Connecticut residents will skip meals, lose healthcare coverage and forgo care, rural hospitals will close and to put it bluntly – people will die.”

New Report Details CT’s GDP, Revenue, and Job Losses from Republican Budget Plan

Posted on by Devin James

New Report Details CT’s GDP, Revenue, and Job Losses from Republican Budget Plan

Sens. Looney, Duff and Lesser react to a new report that details millions of Connecticut residents will lose healthcare and food assistance, while the state economy loses billions in economic activity and thousands of jobs.

HARTFORD – A new report from The Commonwealth Fund paints a devastating picture of the effects of the proposed budget plan led by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans. The budget plan would take away millions of Connecticut residents’ healthcare and food assistance, and this latest report also predicts over a billion dollars in reduced economic activity, over a hundred million less in state revenue and nearly ten thousand jobs lost – just in fiscal year 2026.

The Congressional budget plan requires cuts of $880 billion over the next 10 years, which would necessitate sweeping cuts to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides healthcare to people with disabilities, those below a certain income line, children and seniors. SNAP is a food assistance program that helps supplement grocery budgets for lower income families, seniors and those with disabilities.

The budget plan Republicans are moving through Congress requires broad cuts to direct healthcare and food assistance programs, but these programs also have significant impacts to the national and state economies. In fiscal year 2026 alone, Medicaid and SNAP cuts are predicted to bring on $1.16 billion in GDP loss for Connecticut’s economy, 9,400 Connecticut residents are expected to lose their jobs and local and state tax loss will exceed $120 million.

The nationwide impacts are severe: over $112 billion in GDP loss, over one million American jobs lost, and nearly $9 billion in local and state tax loss.

“At a time when Americans are struggling to pay for groceries, rent, healthcare and are bracing themselves for the effects of Trump’s tariffs, it is unconscionable that this administration is pursuing cuts to programs that offer food and healthcare to our most vulnerable,” said Senate President Martin Looney. “The numbers in this report are staggering and each one represents a Connecticut resident who will forgo necessary treatments, ration their meals or lose their job These policies will also undermine and destabilize Connecticut’s economy after years of careful management.”

“While Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans take a chainsaw to the federal budget, they are cutting programs that meet Americans’ basic needs,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. “These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, there is real and significant human cost to these cuts. Connecticut residents and Americans across the country will lose their healthcare, children, seniors and those with disabilities will lose food assistance and go hungry, thousands will lose jobs and local and state economies will be devastated. Republicans in Congress need to find their backbone and stand up for the very people who sent them to Washington D.C.”

“This report confirmed what we feared, we are staring down the barrel of a devastating federal budget,” said State Senator Matt Lesser, Chair of the Human Services Committee. “SNAP and Medicaid help millions of Connecticut residents stay healthy and fed, and without these programs Connecticut residents will skip meals, lose healthcare coverage and forgo care, rural hospitals will close and to put it bluntly – people will die.”

SEN. KUSHNER LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXPAND PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE BENEFITS TO NEARLY 50,000 SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

Posted on by Devin James

SEN. KUSHNER LEADS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO EXPAND PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE BENEFITS TO NEARLY 50,000 SCHOOL EMPLOYEES

HARTFORD – State Senator Julie Kusher (D-Danbury) today led Senate passage of a bill that will extend Connecticut’s popular and successful Paid Family and Medical Leave program to as many as 50,000 public and private school employees, such as special and general education paraeducators, library support staff, and custodial and food service workers.

Senate Bill 1427, “AN ACT EXPANDING PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS TO CERTAIN SCHOOL EMPLOYEES,” passed the Senate today on a partisan 24-11 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“I am so thrilled that we are moving this bill forward to extend these benefits, especially to those school employees who have asked for years why they don’t have access to this program,” said Sen. Kushner, who as Senate Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee ushered this bill through the committee process. “Now they will have access to paid family leave to deal with a sick family member or to bond with a newborn and to enjoy all the other benefits of our Paid Family and Medical Leave program.”

“Connecticut workers continually report to us how helpful this program has been to them in some of their most stressful moments, allowing them to continue paying bills and take care of their families,” said Erin Choquette, CEO of the CT Paid Leave Authority. ” Individuals who work at schools are caring and dedicated workers, and this program will benefit them as well.”

Under the current Connecticut Paid Leave Act, Boards of Education are not covered employers unless their unionized employees collectively bargain to participate in the program. If that happens, all non-union employees of the Board of Education would also join. But many school workers (both public and private) have expressed an interest in joining the PFML program since its inception in 2019.

SB 1427 covers up to 37,000 workers in public schools, including:

-12,676 special education paraeducators;

-5,347 general education paraeducators;

-365 library/media support staff;

-and 17,455 other staff, including custodial, food services, technical staff, security, maintenance, and transportation employees.

The bill also covers an estimated 12,700 workers in private schools.

The potential impact on Connecticut’s  PFML fund is expected to be minimal: actuaries have determined that school employees in other states utilize the program at the same rate as the general public.

Today’s bill also provides equity in coverage: many school employees — especially those who are in food service or janitorial work — are employed by contractors who are covered employers under CT Paid Leave. SB 1427 allows workers in the same positions who are employed by a local board of education to now have the same coverage.

To date, Connecticut’s popular PFML program has paid out $1.15 billion in claims to 158,000 workers. 85% of the claims being for an illness, bonding with a newborn (evenly split between men and women!) or providing care to a sick family member. CT Paid Leave claims come from every city and town in the state.

Senator Gaston Releases Statement on Pope Leo XIV Being Elected

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Gaston Releases Statement on Pope Leo XIV Being Elected

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), Senior Pastor of Summerfield United Methodist Church in Bridgeport, is releasing a statement following the election of Pope Leo XIV.

“In a world longing for peace and healing, the Roman Catholic Church has chosen not just a leader, but a bridge – a symbol of unity and a beacon of hope, to guide all hearts toward faith, compassion, and a future reborn. As a fellow faith leader, I recognize the immense spiritual and moral responsibility this role carries. I pray that his papacy will be marked by compassion, unity, and a renewed commitment to justice and peace for all people of faith around the world.”

SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES CHFA, HOUSING INVESTMENTS INAFFORDABLE WESTPORT UNITS

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES CHFA, HOUSING INVESTMENTS IN AFFORDABLE WESTPORT UNITS

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) welcomed the announcement that the Department of Housing and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority will invest $6.75 million into a housing project in Westport that will deliver 157 residential units, of which 78 will be designated as affordable housing. This comes as part of a larger effort supporting more than 1,200 total housing units and 550 affordable units in Connecticut.

“We need affordable housing in our communities and throughout Connecticut to support working people and counter our lasting housing shortages,” said Sen. Maher. “I’m delighted that the Department of Housing and CHFA will make direct investments in Westport to ensure 78 more families and households will have affordable and accessible housing.”

The Westport investment will support The Village at Saugatuck, which will add three new four-story multifamily buildings. The 157 total units will see 78 designated as affordable, meant for households earning between 60 and 100% of area median income via the Build for CT program.

Each apartment will be equipped with modern appliances; CHFA is providing a $6.75 million loan through Build For CT to support the construction.

This comes as part of a larger investment of more than $34.3 million across the state, as well as $56 million in private investment and $15 million in first mortgage financing, to add more housing units to state resources. The Build For CT program, a collaboration between DOH and CHFA to support construction of affordable apartments for middle-income renters, also supported $18.75 million in financing agreements through the overall project.

Projects will undergo construction with financing agreementsin place.

SENATOR MAHER JOINS SENATE VOTE FOR UNIFORM COLLABORATIVE LAW ACT, INSPIRED BY CONSTITUENT

Posted on by Devin James

SENATOR MAHER JOINS SENATE VOTE FOR UNIFORM COLLABORATIVE LAW ACT, INSPIRED BY CONSTITUENT

State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) this week voted with the Connecticut State Senate to advance legislation that would add Connecticut to a collaborative of more than half of the United States, adopting the Uniform Collaborative Law Act.

In addition to supporting the bill on the Senate floor and as a member of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Maher helped bring the bill to Connecticut legislature after her constituent Jill Bicks of Westport raised the issue with her.

The Uniform Collaborative Law Act adopts a framework to create a collaborative law process for certain legal matters under state family and domestic relations laws to find a non-adversarial solution. A collaborative law process is designed to resolve collaborative matters in law, like divorce or parentage, without intervention by a tribune.

In other words, the bill allows for an alternative form of dispute resolution in court to be utilized voluntarily by those involved in a legal case.

“When legal matters reach a courtroom or a law office, this bill is designed to prevent unneeded conflict or case complication by creating a collaborative process for individuals to undergo,” said Sen. Maher. “With Connecticut slated to become the 27th state to adopt it, this bill aligns us with more than half of the country in the legal process to allow cooperation and collaboration for better and more amicable outcomes in cases heard around the state. Good legislation takes many forms, and I’m grateful to Jill for raising the issue to me providing clarification as we moved through the legislative process; I look forward to seeing the bill pass the House and become law.”

Senate Bill 1283, “An Act Concerning The Adoption Of The Connecticut Uniform Collaborative Law Act,” prevents parties from being ordered to participate in such a process by an authoritative capacity, specifies how the collaborative law process begins and ends and addresses issues ranging from stays to emergency orders and mandatory assessments.

The bill received unanimous support in public testimony, including from Bicks, who testified as a board member of the Connecticut Council for Non-Adversarial Divorce that the bill would free up resources in the family court system and expand access for Connecticut families.

Justine Rakich-Kelly, executive director of the Children’s Law Center, testified that this bill would enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of collaborative divorce.

The bill received unanimous support and now heads to the House for further consideration.

SENATOR HONIG WELCOMES CHFA, HOUSING INVESTMENTS IN NEW, AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN NORFOLK, SIMSBURY

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SENATOR HONIG WELCOMES CHFA, HOUSING INVESTMENTS IN NEW, AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN NORFOLK, SIMSBURY

Today, State Senator Paul Honig (D-Harwinton) welcomed the announcement that the Department of Housing and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority will invest $3.7 million in Norfolk to create 10 homeownership units and $4.5 million in Simsbury to develop 175 rental homes including 36 for middle-income households. This comes as part of a larger effort supporting more than 1,200 total housing units and 550 affordable units in Connecticut.

“Connecticut simply doesn’t have enough affordable housing, especially in certain regions of the state, and any investments and strategies to turn the tide are welcome,” said Sen. Honig. “I’m encouraged that our state is investing in Norfolk and Simsbury to create new and affordable housing to support households throughout our communities, and I’m grateful to state leaders for these investments.”

The CHFA will invest $4.5 million in Build For CT financing to support Luminary at Simsbury Center, which will offer 175 rental homes including 36 units set aide for households earning between 80% and 100% of area median income.

The Foundation for Norfolk Living, Inc. will receive up to $3.7 million in Affordable Housing Program funding to aid the Haystack Woods Project, creating 10 homes, after a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funded the purchase of the 38.92-acre site.

This comes as part of a larger investment of more than $34.3 million across the state, as well as $56 million in private investment and $15 million in first mortgage financing, to add more housing units to state resources. The Build For CT program, a collaboration between DOH and CHFA to support construction of affordable apartments for middle-income renters, also supported $18.75 million in financing agreements through the overall project.

Projects will undergo construction with financing agreements in place.

Senate Passes Bill Supporting Regional Police Forces

Posted on by Devin James

Senate Passes Bill Supporting Regional Police Forces

Today, State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), Chair of the Public Safety Committee, led passage of a bill aimed at assisting municipalities in establishing regional police forces.

Senate Bill 1489, ‘An Act Concerning Regional Police Forces,’ will work to establish regional police forces streamlining the process for towns to collaborate on public safety services.

“Today’s passage is a critical step forward by enhancing public safety and fostering collaboration among our municipalities,” said Sen. Gaston. “By establishing regional police forces, we’re not only improving the efficiency of law enforcement, but also ensuring that smaller communities have the resources they need to keep their residents safe.”

“This bill represents a smart, forward-thinking approach to modern policing,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven). “Regional collaboration allows municipalities to pool resources, expand capabilities, and deliver more effective and equitable public safety services to residents across town lines. Connecticut is currently severely handicapped by the lack of regional initiatives.”

Under this bill, two or more municipalities that have a population of 50,000 people or less will be able to form a regional police force. Interested municipalities must submit an application to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) commissioner for approval.

The bill now heads to the House for consideration.

Senator MD Rahman Leads Passage of Legislation to Reduce Foreclosures Based on Unpaid Sewer Assessments

Posted on by Devin James

Senator MD Rahman Leads Passage of Legislation to Reduce Foreclosures Based on Unpaid Sewer Assessments

Senator MD Rahman, Senate Chair of the legislature’s Planning and Development Committee, led passage Wednesday of legislation intended to reduce foreclosures by limiting the ability of water and sewer authorities to enforce liens on homeowners who are behind on their bills.

The bill passed on a 23-11 vote and will head to the House for consideration ahead of the legislative session’s June 4 adjournment date.

Senate Bill 1187 protects homeowners by preventing Municipal Water Pollution Control Authorities from enforcing a lien on homes with unpaid assessments until the outstanding bill reaches at least $3,000 or three years passes from the date the lien was first filed.

“No family should face losing their home over a some money owed on a water or sewer bill,” Senator Rahman, D-Manchester, said. “This legislation strikes a fair balance by ensuring utilities can still recover what they’re owed while protecting homeowners from aggressive foreclosure actions during times of hardship. It’s a practical step that gives people time to get back on their feet without fear of losing everything.”