Back in Session

Welcome to the 2019 Public Policy Blog!

The state General Assembly is in session, with a new governor and Democrats firmly in control of both houses. So part of my job is to keep any eye on what they do, and thanks to our Chamber Lobbyist — Armando Paolino III of Paolino Public Affairs Consulting — we are tracking all kinds of legislation that will be important to our member businesses.

Of course, we're still early in the legislative session, and legislators can submit just about any bill they like. Not all of these bills will get out of committee — some will be combined into one bill, others are just placeholders, and still others will not see the light of day beyond being proposed. But we will track them all for you.

Below is the list of bills we are tracking; trust me, there will be more. Please note: each bill number is a link to the proposed bill. 

If you are a Chamber member and are concerned about the impact of any of these bills on your business, let me know and I can help you submit testimony on them to the proper committee. And please plan to attend our Annual Legislative & Economic Summit, set for Tuesday, February 12 from 7:45-9:30 at the Wyndham Southbury Hotel, because you will have the chance to discuss your concerns in person with members of our region's legislative delegation. 

We've also invited Gov. Ned Lamont to serve as keynote speaker, so you won't want to miss this event! You can register here.

Here are the bills we are currently tracking:
HOUSE:
HB 5003: An Act Implementing A Paid Family Medical Leave Program.
HB 5004: An Act Raising The Minimum Fair Wage.
HB 5005: An Act Supporting Local Businesses.
HB 5025: An Act Concerning A Tax Credit For Businesses That Provide Paid Family And Medical Leave.
HB 5027: An Act Eliminating The Business Entity Tax.
HB 5031: An Act Eliminating The Business Entity Tax.
HB 5033: An Act Eliminating The Business Entity Tax.
HB 5127: An Act Concerning The Erection Of Fences And The Planting Of Hedges And Trees That Obstruct Water Views.
HB 5166: An Act Extending The Manufacturing Apprenticeship Tax Credit To Pass-through Entities.
HB 5182: An Act Concerning Sewer Use Charges.
HB 5191: An Act Eliminating The Business Entity Tax.
HB 5194: An Act Exempting Certain Businesses From The Business Entity Tax.
HB 5196: An Act Eliminating The Business Entity Tax.
HB 5226: An Act Clarifying Certain Unemployment Compensation Provisions As Applicable To Independent Contractors.
HB 5265: An Act Concerning The Business Entity Tax Liability Of Benefit Corporations.
HB 5404: An Act Eliminating The Business Entity Tax.
HB 5405: An Act Eliminating The Business Entity Tax.
HB 5406: An Act Establishing A Tax Credit For Businesses That Provide Student Loan Repayment Assistance To Employees.
HB 5407: An Act Establishing A Tax Credit For Employers That Provide Paid Family And Medical Leave Benefits And A Family And Medical Leave Accounts Program.
HB 5411: An Act Reestablishing The Job Expansion Tax Credit And Program.
HB 5469: An Act Establishing A Penalty For Unauthorized Payment For Leave Time Or Overtime.
HB 5472: An Act Studying A Forty-hour Workweek For State Employees.
HB 5490: An Act Eliminating The Business Entity Tax.
HB 5492: An Act Eliminating The Business Entity Tax.
HB 5493: An Act Eliminating The Business Entity Tax.
HB 5496: An Act Establishing A Tax Credit For Businesses That Hire Recent Graduates Of Institutions Of Higher Education Located In Connecticut.
HB 5498: An Act Concerning Contractor And Apprentice Hiring Ratios.

SENATE:
SB 1: An Act Concerning Paid Family And Medical Leave.
SB 2: An Act Increasing The Minimum Fair Wage.
SB 3: An Act Combatting Sexual Assault And Sexual Harassment.
SB 17: An Act Authorizing Sports Wagering, Internet Gambling And Internet Keno.
SB 64: An Act Concerning Captive Audience Meetings.
SB 68: An Act Establishing Women's Economic Equality.
SB 69: An Act Concerning A Study Of The Feasibility Of Opening The State Employee Health Plan To Additional Residents Of This State.
SB 70: An Act Establishing The Connecticut Infrastructure Bank.
SB 74: An Act Establishing Carbon Pricing.