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May 26
Legislative Update: May 26, 2021

​Senator Bradley Indicted

Senator Dennis Bradley Jr., D-Bridgeport, and his former campaign treasurer, Jessica Martinez, were indicted Tuesday on federal charges of conspiring to defraud Connecticut's public campaign financing program of $179,850. Bradley is accused of illegally using personal funds for his campaign announcement, then subsequently falsifying records of campaign donations. The indictment quotes an exchange of text messages between Bradley and unnamed campaign consultants. Informed of the indictment, Bradley surrendered to federal marshals and appeared in U.S. District Court to face conspiracy and wire fraud charges where he pleaded not guilty.

President Pro Tempore of the Connecticut State Senate, Martin Looney, announced that Bradley would be removed from all of his committee assignments following the bombshell announcement of his arrest. It is unclear whether Bradley will continue to miss votes in the Senate as a result of this.​


Budget Negotiations Continue 

A​ppropriations Committee Recommended Allocation Plan

State budget revenues continue to surge by nearly half a billion dollars as lawmakers and Gov. Ned Lamont head into budget negotiations. Lamont holds firm that he doesn't believe the state needs tax increases with the increased revenue and influx of federal money, where democratic legislative leaders have argued they should still shift tax burdens from the poor and middle class onto the rich. Budget negotiations began last week between House Speaker Matt Ritter and Senate President Martin Looney and have plans to meet with the Governor today to negotiate the budget.

Ritter predicted that the increase in revenue would help them reach a deal with Lamont before the end of the regular legislative session June 9.


Public Option Bill Appears to Lose Support​

Connecticut's public option bill continues to lose support as we approach the end of session. The legislation would have created a state-sponsored insurance plan for small businesses and nonprofits and individuals funded by an “assessment" on individual private health plans. Governor Lamont has stated he will not sign the bill in its current form, at odds with the progressive wing of his party. Democrats have been pushing for it for years, but Republicans and industry leaders have been strongly opposed as the “state government-run public health care system" would jeopardize more than 48,000 jobs in the industry and $15.5 billion in direct or indirect economic activity.


Sports Betting Advances

The Senate passed a bill just before midnight Tuesday to legalize online gaming and sports betting in Connecticut. Governor Ned Lamont said he plans to sign the bill in the coming days. The bill allows the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes, who run the state's casinos, to have in-person and online betting for sports games and fantasy sports. The bill also allows the Connecticut Lottery Corp. to have in-person and online sports betting, online keno and online lottery games. The Lottery can also have in-person sports betting at up to 15 licensed facilities including one in Hartford and one in Bridgeport. 

In exchange, the tribes and the Lottery have to make monthly payments to the state's General Fund ranging from 13.75% to 20% of gross revenues. Once signed by the Governor, Lamont said he and the tribes will seek approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the U.S. Dept. of Interior to amend the state's compact with the tribes before betting can begin. Legislative leaders are hopeful the agreement will be effective in start of the NFL season.


Legislative Mood​

It has been a busy week thus far for the House of Representatives and Senate as a few pressing issues were addressed in the chambers. Several big bills, including online sports betting, have made their way through both chambers where their fate now lies in the hand of the Governor. Despite the progress that has been made so far, there is still a lot to accomplish in the final two weeks including the budget. Other big issues include the “clean slate" bill that has passed the Senate, several election-related proposals, and the ever-present Bottle Bill. The outcome of the marijuana legalization bill remains uncertain with the possibility legislators convening over the summer for a special session.​​

​Travel Advisory​

As of March 19, 2021, Governor Lamont's Executive Order No.9S, Section 1 regarding travel is no longer in effect.​

Connecticut residents and travelers to Connecticut should follow travel- related guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH). Mandates and requirements are not currently in place in Connecticut.


Governor Lamont's Executive Orders

During a public health emergency, the Governor essentially can run the state via executive order. Please review the Governor's most recent Executive Orders: 12C PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC – EXTENSION AND EXPIRATION OF COVID-19 ORDERS

Please review the updated list of executive orders here.​​

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