Budget deal close
Update on some important Labor bills
Other news and notes from around the State Capitol
CRN Golf Outing
News and notes from around the state
- As we begin Memorial Day weekend, the CT General Assembly is nearing closer to one of its main objectives each session: adoption of two-year state budget.
- During his daily pre-session press conferences, Speaker of the House Matt Ritter has hinted that negotiations on the budget have resulted in almost 100% agreement between the parties and that the budget would be voted on by the House next week.
- There does appear to be some sticking points left to work out and it remains to be seen if the Governor will agree with all parts of the budget, but it is also clear from Speaker Ritter that his is determined to move forward, with or without the Governor.
- For retailers, there still remains an unknown – if the final budget will include the recommendation of the Finance Committee to increase the clothing exemptions for children’s clothing.
- We should have a better understanding by this time next week on how the budget talks go.
Update on important Labor Bills
- Last week we were pleased to report that one of the major issues that we were working on, HB 6859 Predictable Scheduling, was not going to be called by the House and nothing this week has given us reason to change our view.
- This week we are pleased to report that efforts to lower the threshold for employers to comply with paid sick leave have also run into roadblocks in the House.
- SB1178 will also not be called by the House due to opposition by House moderates and House Republicans.
- Another big Labor bill we are following, SB 152, AAC Warehouse Workers is still pending in the Senate.
- No action was taken this week on that bill, and we continue to monitor it closely.
Other news and notes from around the State Capitol
- A plan that would allow municipalities to install traffic cameras to automate speed and red light enforcement gained overwhelming approval from the Connecticut House, as lawmakers look to address record traffic deaths in Connecticut. CT Examiner reports on the legislative action here.
- Last night the State Senate held a long debate on some changes to Ct’s voting laws. You can go here to read more about that debate.
- Also, yesterday, the House took up gun bill that made changes to CT’s gun laws that Governor Lamont had been seeking. You can read about that important issue by going here.
- Both the House and the Senate are off now for the rest of the week and are expected to go back into session next Tuesday, which will mark the official countdown to adjournment day.
- When they return, they have just a little over one week until they must gavel the end of a very long session on June 7.
CRN Golf Outing
- The 2023 CRN Golf Outing is less than a month away, on Tuesday, June 27. Registration is now open, with payment accepted via PayPal or credit card.
- See the letter of invitation and CRN’s all-new brochure, at https://ctretailnetwork.com/golf-outing/
- Sponsorships are still available to support the event, being held again this year at Wampanoag CC in West Hartford.
- On June 27, registration and a deluxe full breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m.
- Join your fellow retailers and friends at this fun and important event. The money raised helps keep CRN the strongest voice for Retailers in Connecticut. We hope to see you there!
News and notes from around the state
- Connecticut’s minimum wage on June 1 will increase by $1 to $15 per hour. That will give Connecticut one of the highest minimum wages in the Northeast and country. Hartford Business Journal tracks recent increases in Connecticut here.
- Layoffs, financial support and an increased ability to connect online are driving the rise in entrepreneurship in Connecticut, with more monthly business start-ups than pre-pandemic. The number of monthly applications climbed to an average of 3,812 applications per month. Hartford Business Journal has more here.
- A class action lawsuit against Stamford-based Webster Bank claims nearly 200,000 customers’ personal information was exposed in a data breach, putting them at risk for harm through identity theft and fraud. Hartford Business Journal has the details here.
- Amtrak has added two new trains that will provide direct service from Hartford to New York’s Penn Station, starting June 5. The trip will take just under three hours. More about the new service from Hartford Business Journal here.
- Connecticut Innovations, the state’s strategic venture arm, invested $7 million in early-stage companies and fund-of-funds during its third quarter, which ended March 31. New Haven BIZ breaks down the numbers here.
- Less than six months after Spirit Airlines launched flights between Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the carrier announced it was terminating its service, as Fairfield County Business Journal reports here.
- Connecticut homebuilding activity slowed in April, but the number of new housing permits issued during the first four months of the year is still up 29% from last year, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. New Haven and Westport authorized the most permits in April at 24, followed by Newington (20) and Cheshire (16). HBJ has the numbers here.
- The UConn Huskies men’s basketball national champions will be at the White House this afternoon, at the invitation of President Biden. The Hartford Courant looks back, and ahead, here.