Winners of the 2019 Connecticut legislative session
CTMirror.org Staff
The 2019 legislative session ended at midnight Wednesday. As usual, some folks came out of the process happy. Others are already plotting their strategies for next year.
The impact of these decisions will take years to determine. But here’s an early assessment of who came out ahead and who didn’t.
Winners
Cities and towns: The state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 slightly increases the $2.3 billion in aid that cities and towns get each year. The education grant program that accounts for most of the state’s municipal aid will rise by 2 percent next year. And Gov. Ned Lamont’s plan to send some towns a bill to help cover teacher pension costs got shelved.
State employees: After granting concessions in 2009, 2011 and 2017, unionized state employees were asked by Lamont to accept new limits on the annual inflation increase for their pensions. They declined that request.
First responders: Police, firefighters and other medical responders coping with lingering post traumatic stress disorder would be eligible for workers compensation coverage if Lamont signs the bill overwhelmingly approved by the General Assembly. Legislators have been trying to resolve this issue since the December 2012 shooting deaths of 26 children and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Competing concerns came from unions representing first responders and the municipalities that must pay the benefits.
Minimum wage workers: Connecticut’s $10.10 minimum wage will rise to $15 over four-and-a-half years. While advocates say this is an overdue lift for low-wage workers, small businesses say this is an ill-considered blow in a state that has yet to fully recover from the Great Recession of 2008.
LBGTQ residents: The legislature overwhelmingly endorsed a measure to ban the so-called gay panic defense, a legal strategy that asks a jury to find a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for a defendant’s actions. It has been invoked in crimes in Connecticut.
Sick workers: Employees will soon be able to take 12 weeks of paid leave if they or a member of their family are ill. The legislation passed narrowly by the General Assembly has the governor’s support.
School choice: After years of flat funding of magnet schools, these regional schools that aim to offer integrated classrooms for minority city youth will receive a 2% boost in state aid. Both magnet and charter schools also received increased funding so more students can enroll.
Teachers/School Nurses: Children 6 and older will now be allowed to apply their own sunscreen at school before heading out to the playground. Bonus: They will even be allowed to bring the sunscreen to school without a doctor’s note.
CT motorists: The governor’s proposal to put tolls on certain highways in Connecticut to help pay for major transportation improvements never even made it to a vote. But it’s not over yet – the issue is expected to be resurrected during a special legislative session this summer. And transportation and transit advocates rightly note that this might ultimately not be win if highways continue to deteriorate.
Community college students: The legislature endorsed a plan to provide cost-free community college to first-time students regardless of their income starting in the fall of 2020.
The environment: Connecticut residents have until July 1, 2021 to convert to using reusable shopping bags before plastic bags are banned under legislation passed this session. In the meantime, consumers will pay 10 cents for each singleuse plastic bag starting August 1.