Labor Committee takes action on bills impacting retailers and the business community
Quick video conversation with Chris Davis of CBIA to discuss labor-related issues
News and notes from the State Capital
CRN Legislative Reception is March 20
Save the Date for CRN Golf Outing
News and notes from around the State
- Yesterday, the Labor and Public Employees Committee voted out of their committee a number of bills that would impact retailers and the business community.
- Specifically, the Labor Committee voted on two bills – SB 1254 and HB 6904 – that we are following. They also voted on another bill that combines both of those bills, SB 8.
- You can view the Labor Committee agenda by going here.
Quick Conversation video
- With the action of the Labor Committee yesterday and more to come, we thought it was a good time to do a deeper dive into the bills we mentioned above as well as other Labor-related issues with CBIA Vice President for Public Policy Chris Davis.
- Mr. Davis is a former State Representative from Ellington and a good friend of CRN. He and his team at the CBIA government affairs shop do a great job following business issues at the General Assembly and we are happy to work with them on a number of issues.
- You can listen to and watch our conversation by going here.
News and notes from around the State Capitol
- The General Assembly was in session last week to deal with some funding issues around the state’s contribution to special education and assistance to non-profits.
- As Mark Pazniokas of the CT Mirror explains in his story, Governor Lamont was going to veto the Legislature’s idea for funding these efforts but a last-minute deal between the Governor and the House and Senate prevented that.
- You can read Paz’s story by going here.
- The Transportation Committee is holding a public hearing on Monday on a bill that impacts some of our members, SB 1448. You can view the complete agenda by going here.
- The General Law Committee will hold its last public hearing of the session next Wednesday. You can view their agenda by going here.
- On Thursday, the Labor Committee is holding a committee meeting but as of today they have not released their agenda. We will keep a close eye out for that and will keep you posted in next week’s FF.
- The Finance Committee will be holding a public hearing on Friday of next week. There are a number of bills we are following listed on their agenda and we intend to formulate testimony on those proposals prior to the hearing.
- Ken Dixon looks at the attempt by some legislators to eliminate the public benefits charge that is part of customers’ electric bills and has been cited by many as the reason that electric bills have risen so dramatically over the past year.
- You can read Mr. Dixon’s story by going here.
- State officials are bracing for possible cuts to Medicaid from the federal government, and are assessing the budgetary impact. Details reported here by CT Mirror.
- Members of the Banking Committee approved three proposed bills intended to make it easier for people to buy and build houses in Connecticut at its March 6 meeting. Details reported here by Connecticut Inside Investigator.
- The General Assembly confirmed the judicial nominations of William H. Bright Jr. to the Supreme Court, Robin L. Wilson to the Appellate Court, and a dozen others to the Superior Court on Wednesday. CT Mirror has the details here.
- Municipal leaders from Connecticut communities called on the Lamont administration to stop its practice of balancing the state’s budget on the backs of local property taxpayers. CTNewsJunkie reports on their “do the math” campaign here.
- Key lawmakers advocated Tuesday for legislation that would take $200 million from budget surplus funds over the next two years to support early childhood care and education programs. CTNewsJunkie reports on that effort here.
- Attorney General William Tong and attorneys general around the country are continuing efforts to respond to changing federal policies. FOX61 reports on some of this week’s efforts and initial results here.
CRN Legislative Reception is March 20th
- The 2025 CRN Legislative Reception is coming up on Thursday, March 20, 4-7 PM, at the Legislative Office Building adjoining the State Capitol.
- It’s an opportunity for legislators and retailers to gather in a casual setting, amidst a key time during the legislative session. We hope to see you with us on the 20th!
- Sponsorships are available to support this key event on the CRN calendar. There’s additional information here; please contact Tim Phelan at tim@ctretailnetwork to learn more.
Save the Date for the CRN Golf Outing
- With spring just around the corner, that means our Annual Golf Outing can’t be too far behind. Please save the date for this year’s event!
- It will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the Farms County Club in Wallingford, CT.
- We will be posting details about this year’s event in the very near future and hope you will put this date on your calendar and plan on joining us.
News and notes from around the state
- Connecticut’s combined state and local tax rates are the third highest in the nation according to a new study from WalletHub. Together, Connecticut’s state and local tax rates account for 14.54 percent of the median annual household income. Only New York and Illinois are higher. Connecticut Inside Investigator has the numbers here.
- In 2024, Connecticut had both the highest price per gram of cannabis across four Northeast states and the lowest per capita sales according to a report from the Office of Legislative Research (OLR). Connecticut Inside Investigator has that news here.
- A change in federal transportation funding policy tying federal transportation funds to marriage and birth rates could leave Connecticut low on the list when it comes to doling out transportation grant money, according to an analysis by CT Data. Connecticut Inside Investigator reports on the findings here.
- The president & CEO of Connecticut Children’s will retire at the end of 2025, according to the hospital. James Shmerling has been president & CEO of Connecticut Children’s for 10 years. The Hartford Courant has the details here.
- Gov. Lamont and a legendary member of the Rolling Stones connected for the presentation of the inaugural Governor’s Award of Excellence this week at the Westport Library. Fairfield County Business Journal has the details here.