Democrats See Policy ‘Mandate’

Blue Wave Means Big Gains In State House, Senate

HARTFORD — With unexpected victories Tuesday, Connecticut Democrats seized large majorities in the state legislature in Hartford and pledged to move forward with their agenda.

Democrats now have the chance to approve a liberal platform on taxes, highway tolls, pay equity, the minimum wage and paid family and medical leave, among others.

The margins are large enough that opposition from conservative Democrats can be ignored. Some races might be subject to recounts as the final votes are tallied.

Will there be electronic highway tolls?

Very possible.

The top Democratic leaders in the House and Senate said Wednesday that they favor Gov.-elect Ned Lamont’s idea of imposing tolls on tractor-trailers. Rhode Island’s trucker-only tolls are being legally challenged and some opponents say it would be unconstitutional to impose tolls on trucks but not on passenger

cars.

“I would support broader tolling [beyond trucks], as I think it’s absolutely necessary,’’ said Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney, a New Haven Democrat.

Will there be tax increases?

Possible.

“We will have a broad-ranging discussion with the governor when he gives us his new budget in February,” Looney said. “I expect there will be some changes in tax policy. Whether that results in a net increase or not remains to be seen.’’

House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz would not rule out tax increases, but added, “It is never the first option.”

How about enacting paid family and medical leave, as well as hiking the minimum wage?

“Those are certainly two priorities for me. I think they are for our caucus,” Looney said. “Those are things that also Gov.-elect Lamont has spoken about during his campaign, so I believe we’ll be able to move forward on those two as major issues.’’

Are Democrats confident of their positions after making major gains in the legislature on Election Day?

“We take that as a mandate for the policies we’ve been advocating,’’ Looney said.

Will more casinos be approved, including in Bridgeport?

Unclear. With so many new members being elected to office, top leaders said they do not yet know all the views of incoming freshmen.

What were the biggest upsets in the Senate?

Four of the most fiscally conservative Senate Republicans – Len Suzio of Meriden, Toni Boucher of Wilton, Michael McLachlan of Danbury, and L. Scott Frantz of Greenwich — were all defeated. That marked the first time Democrats had won the Greenwich district since 1930.

Suzio and Boucher were two of the most outspoken opponents of highway tolls and helped block the measure in recent years.

What were the biggest upsets in the House?

Incumbent Republican Sam Belsito, known as the “Tuxedo King” from his clothing business, lost to Pat Wilson Pheanious, a former welfare mother who became the commissioner of the state Department of Social Services under two Republican governors.

Democrats also defeated Rep. Mike Bocchino for the first House seat in Greenwich since 1912. Republicans had been trying to defeat Democrat John Hampton in historically Republican-leaning Simsbury but were unsuccessful.

Will the freshmen have an impact?

The House will have 24 new Democratic freshmen — one of the largest classes in recent state history and more than double the previous total of 10 in the last election.