Budget Has Yet to be Passed
With just under a week to go, Democrats and the Governor have been at odds over how much money to spend and where it should go. In past years, Connecticut has been dealing with deficits and shortfalls. This year, the state has big surpluses in addition to a massive influx of federal dollars, but there’s disagreement on where all this money should go. The biggest point of contention involves a proposed boost in state support for towns and cities and the statutory spending cap. House Speaker Matt Ritter stated that his chamber would pass a budget without the support of Gov. Ned Lamont or the Senate before it missed its June 9 deadline. Following several meetings, in a press conference this morning, Ritter claimed they are preparing to debate a budget this upcoming Saturday. The goal is to get it passed before the session ends next week, and not drag things out in a special session as has been done in past years.
Racism Declared a Public Health Crisis
On a bipartisan vote Tuesday, the House gave final passage to legislation declaring racism a public health crisis in Connecticut and creating commissions charged with finding paths to more equitable health care outcomes. The proposal received overwhelming support among Democrats but divided Republicans, with 22 voting for it and 32 voting against it. The bill touches on a wide range of issues not limited to the direct impact of racism. For example, it creates new studies and reporting requirements for health and mental health issues including gun violence prevention, breast cancer screening, and the recruitment and retention of health care workers.
The bill will now head to Gov. Ned Lamont for his signature.
The Final Days of Session
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.
Legislative Mood
It has been a whirlwind of a week for the Connecticut Legislature between the inditement of Senator Bradley, rumblings of dissension between legislators of the same caucus, and trying to wrap up legislative priorities before the June 9 deadline. To add to it, police are investigating the Capitol grounds after multiple shots were fired at the state Capitol building early Tuesday morning.
Despite the tumultuous past week at the Capitol complex, the People’s Business carries on. As we approach the end of session, Republicans gain more and more leverage as time becomes a precious commodity. Republicans have the ability to effectively kill a bill by “talking” it to death or agreeing to limit length of debate as a chip to trade in exchange for some of their priorities being passed. If a bill looks like it will take up more than a few hours of debate, it may be tabled unless it is a priority of legislative leadership or is included as part of a deal between Democrats and Republicans.
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
Please review the updated list of executive orders
here.