Inside the Capitol and Issues & Policies Articles

New Education Reforms Pass First (Federal) Test

2012-05-30T13:29:47+00:00

Connecticut’s bipartisan education reform law has paved the way for long-overdue structural reforms to benefit students in the state—an accomplishment that’s now won the confidence of the U.S. Department of Education. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan visited Hartford on Tuesday for a press conference with Governor Malloy, State Commissioner of…

Labor & Workplace: UC Trust Fund Increased

2012-05-18T16:53:32+00:00

With the spotlight this year on education reform and other issues, capital punishment and medical marijuana, lawmakers gave less attention than usual to labor and employment legislation. Of the few proposals that advanced, only measures to increase the state minimum wage and unionize the personal care and child care industries…

Energy: Storm Response Dominates Session

2012-05-18T16:34:04+00:00

If not for two gigantic storms that hit the Northeast last year, the 2012 session might have looked very different in the realm of energy legislation. Crafting a response to those storms dominated energy matters at the Capitol. There were, in fact, many other energy-related proposals that could have benefitted…

Environment: Businesses Fare Well

2012-05-18T16:13:01+00:00

Several positive business-related bills environmental bills were considered at the Capitol this session and a few, particularly in the areas of permitting and cleanup, were passed. They now await Governor Malloy’s signature. Permitting Two of the successful measures will have a positive impact on permitting. HB 5344 furthers efforts by…

Campaign Finance Bill a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

2012-05-18T16:02:47+00:00

Lawmakers passed a very harmful bill that was offered as a simple expansion of Connecticut's campaign-finance laws but in reality was an unprecedented government intrusion on businesses. Under HB 5556, many state companies would be required to notify their shareholders of certain political campaign-related spending. And that is the least…

Transportation: A Quiet Year

2012-05-18T15:45:34+00:00

There was little activity on transportation proposals relating to the business community during the 2012 Connecticut General Assembly. Most of the Transportation Committee's time was spent considering the potential introduction of red-light cameras, the New Britain-to-Hartford busway, and other matters. The General Assembly did pass SB 33, which deals with…

Healthcare: Positive Signs, and Few Costly Measures Pass

2012-05-18T15:41:16+00:00

Compared with recent legislative sessions, in 2012 very few harmful healthcare bills were considered by the legislature, and lawmakers this year also advanced a few positive measures. That was welcome news to Connecticut’s small employers who have faced ever-escalating healthcare costs. Healthcare Data One positive bill, HB 5038, establishes a repository…

Economic Development: Focus on Jobs Proposals

2012-05-18T15:35:39+00:00

Following up on last year’s Jobs Session, the Commerce Committee proposed a bill (SB 1) that would have expanded some key jobs initiatives and introduced new ones. SB 1 sailed through the Senate but was denied a vote in the House. Other committee proposals that won approval and are designed…

Education: School Reforms, Other Gains Pass

2012-05-18T15:28:13+00:00

More than anything else, this was the year for education reform in Connecticut. Governor Malloy set the stage when he declared, “The time has come for change in our schools.” Months later and after much debate and difficult negotiations, lawmakers ultimately passed a sweeping package of reforms. Lawmakers also addressed…

Spending & Taxes: Budget, Property Tax Changes

2012-05-18T15:19:35+00:00

During the 2012 legislative session, official updates on the state’s tax receipts for this fiscal year continued to disappoint and ultimately lawmakers were forced to deal with a project deficit of about $284.6 million before they adjourned. Connecticut’s economy is still struggling with the effects of the recession, with a…