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Friday Facts – January 11, 2019

by | Jan 11, 2019 | friday_facts

New Governor Lamont Sworn In

Legislature Goes Back into Session

CRMA Legislative Committee Update

Get Involved in CRMA

Links to Live By

  • On Wednesday of this week, Connecticut’s newest Governor, Ned Lamont, took the oath of office to become the 89th Governor in Connecticut’s History.
  • Lamont (D) 65, is a businessman from Greenwich who won election for the highest office in Connecticut this past November and will inherit a State’s budget that has enormous challenges ahead.
  • In addition, his party, has taken back firm control of the both Houses of the General Assembly and have ambitious plans and an aggressive progressive agenda.
  • In his opening day remarks to the General Assembly Mr. Lamont warned lawmakers that CT fiscal condition was “on a knife’s edge”.
  • Our friends at the CT Mirror did a great job covering the opening day remarks by Mr. Lamont. You can go here to read more.

Legislature Goes Back into Session

  • In addition to the swearing in of a new Governor, Wednesday also officially kicked off the long legislative session with all 151 members of the House of Representatives and 36 State Senators taking the oath of office.
  • Democrats in the House once again selected the team of Representative Joe Aresimowicz as Speaker of the House and Rep. Matt Ritter as House Majority Leader.
  • On the Republican side, Rep. Themis Klarides was re-elected House Minority Leader.
  • In addition to leadership votes, the House swore in 24 freshmen legislators.
  • Democrats hold a 90-61 advantage.
  • In the upper chamber, the State Senate also gaveled themselves into regular session. They swore in new members and returning members and elected leaders for new 2 year terms.
  • Senate Democrats, who took control of the majority of the Senate by picking up 5 seats in the fall election, once again elected Sen. Martin Looney as President Pro-Temp and Sen. Bob Duff as Majority Leader.
  • The Senate Republicans in turn elected Sen. Len Fasano as Minority Leader.
  • While the D’s hold a majority they have also lost 3 members who have taken jobs in the Lamont administration. Those three seats are all in safe Democratic districts and we don’t expect any upsets.
  • A special election for those seats and two House Seats, will be held February 26th.

CRMA Legislative Committee Update

  • On Thursday of next week, CRMA’s Legislative Committee will be holding its first Legislative Committee conference call to review pending legislation.
  • While it is early in the session, we need to be ready to combat what we know will be some major issues facing the retail industry.
  • We know the D’s want to take on two big issues that will impact our members: increase the mini wage to $15 an hour and push an aggressive paid family medical leave bill.
  • The CRMA Legislative Committee will review these topics and plenty more as we know that during a long Legislative Session there many issues that will impact our members.
  • If you are interested in joining in on the call, please contact Cathy in our office at cathy@ctretailnetwork.com and she will provide you with the call in information.

Get Involved with CRMA

  • As we have mentioned, this is a long Legislative Session and there will be plenty of issues that will impact your bottom line.
  • CRMA is your voice at the State Capitol. We are there every day, working on your behalf.
  • But we need your help in our efforts. Please consider joining CRMA or making a donation to CRMA.
  • We are only as strong as our members who support us. You can learn about us by visiting our website, crmaonline.com

Links to Live by: 

  • Lots of coverage of the new Lamont administration. We recommend you begin your review of the coverage by going to these two sites that do a great job covering the State Capitol.