EPR for Packaging and Predictive scheduling emerge as big issues for CRN
News and notes from the State Capitol
News and notes from around the State
- This week, two issues that will have a major impact on the retail industry and others in the business community, were outlined by proponents and signaled to the CRN that they will be keeping us busy this year.
- Earlier this week, the Labor Committee raised a bill outlining how retailers interact with employees regarding their schedules. That bill was before the General Assembly previously, but this year being a long session allows for more time for proponents to gather support.
- In addition to predictive scheduling, Governor Lamont announced that as part of his environmental package of bills he will be asking the Legislature to enact a bill that would create an EPR program for packaging.
- EPR for packaging would have a major impact on any retailer and the fact that the Governor’s office included it as part of his legislative agenda automatically raises the stakes on the issue.
- CRN will go to work on both of these issues right away – so look for notifications of meetings that we will be holding in the upcoming days to strategize on how we want to address these bills.
- In the meantime, if you have any questions about the issues please feel free to reach out to CRN President Tim Phelan at tim@ctretailnetwork.com
News and notes from the State Capitol
- Twice this week, Gov. Ned Lamont announced a set of new firearm restrictions, the latest intended to prevent mass shootings by raising the age to purchase a gun and broadening Connecticut’s assault weapons ban. CTNewsJunkie has the details here.
- If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Rob Hotaling, who ran for governor as an Independent Party candidate, is being hired as a deputy commissioner in the Department of Economic and Community Development. CT Mirror’s Mark Pazniokas has the story here.
- The so-called mansion tax is back – advocated by Senate President Martin Looney. The proposal was unsuccessful two years ago, but is once again being discussed at the State Capitol. The New Haven Register reports on the proposal here.
- The three legislative elections slated for February 28 are beginning to take shape. In Stamford, the candidates have been selected. Stamford Advocate has the details here.
- The co-chair of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee has introduced a proposal that would set term limits for commissioners of the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. The Stamford Advocate has the details here.
- Connecticut would explore a ranked-choice voting system in congressional races and presidential primaries under a bill proposed by a bipartisan pair of state senators. CTNewsJunkie explains the proposal here.
- Some lawmakers are trying again; Senate Bill 390 would make Pizza the official food of Connecticut. A similar effort two years ago never got out of the oven. FOX61 has the story here.
News and notes from around the State
- For the first time in 11 months, Connecticut’s economy lost jobs during the month of December, according to state labor officials. New Haven BIZ has the numbers here.
- Connecticut has joined a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit challenging Google’s dominant grip on the online advertising industry. Read Attorney General William Tong’s announcement here.
- The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system unveiled its two-year budget proposal to the state legislature that will ask for a significant funding increase for the state’s free community college program New Haven BIZ has details here.
- After nearly a half-century in Enfield, LEGO is headed to Boston, the company announced this week. State officials were sorry to see the move, but reiterated that more companies are moving into Connecticut than out. Hartford Business Journal reports here.
- Santander Bank, which has been gradually shrinking its Connecticut brick-and-mortar presence over the years, is closing its branches in downtown Hartford and Manchester. Hartford Business Journal details their plans here.
- Connecticut Innovations, the state’s quasi-public venture capital arm, has launched a $50 million fund to support diverse companies with growth potential. New Haven BIZ reports on the new fund here.