Connecticut’s minimum wage is set to rise to $12 per hour in September, even as businesses in the state remain limited to 50 percent indoor capacity or are struggling with a loss of customers due to the pandemic. Connecticut’s reopening plan remains stalled at Phase 2...
The newest annual Rich States, Poor States report from the American Legislative Exchange Council dedicates an entire chapter to “Connecticut’s Economic Freefall,” citing Connecticut’s high-tax environment, high pension and debt liabilities and its government labor...
At this moment, real police reform is within reach. But last week, the House of Representatives passed a bill that continues to protect powerful labor union interests. As the Senate prepares for special session tomorrow, Yankee Institute calls for more meaningful...
The Connecticut State Elections and Enforcement Commission handed down a small fine to the Connecticut Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association over $28,233 that was unaccounted for in the union’s political action committee. The SEEC determined the UPFFA PAC...
Mark Cusson, the former nurse at Whiting Forensic Hospital who was convicted in court of abusing patient William Shehadi, is collecting an $88,229 pension while serving his sentence, according to the state’s Open Pension website. Cusson was found guilty of the abuse...
The Connecticut state government may have a website problem, but state official are working to address it as soon as possible. A link for “Core Standards for Teachers” posted on Connecticut’s government website under “Curriculum and Instruction” directed web users to...
Connecticut’s minimum wage is set to rise to $12 per hour in September, even as businesses in the state remain limited to 50 percent indoor capacity or are struggling with a loss of customers due to the pandemic. Connecticut’s reopening plan remains stalled at Phase 2...
Photo by Darcey McLaughlin @flickr.com Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined with other lawmakers in calling for greater scrutiny into Eversource’s rate increase, which went into effect on July 1, 2020 and touched off a firestorm of criticism from both...
Connecticut’s minimum wage is set to rise to $12 per hour in September, even as businesses in the state remain limited to 50 percent indoor capacity or are struggling with a loss of customers due to the pandemic. Connecticut’s reopening plan remains stalled at Phase 2...
Photo by Darcey McLaughlin @flickr.com Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined with other lawmakers in calling for greater scrutiny into Eversource’s rate increase, which went into effect on July 1, 2020 and touched off a firestorm of criticism from both...
Connecticut’s minimum wage is set to rise to $12 per hour in September, even as businesses in the state remain limited to 50 percent indoor capacity or are struggling with a loss of customers due to the pandemic. Connecticut’s reopening plan remains stalled at Phase 2...
Photo by Darcey McLaughlin @flickr.com Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined with other lawmakers in calling for greater scrutiny into Eversource’s rate increase, which went into effect on July 1, 2020 and touched off a firestorm of criticism from both...
1: A Bill Has Been Proposed. What Happens Next?
Initial bill proposals are really just concept bills with general language. Hundreds of bill will be proposed at the beginning of session, often about the same topics. The bills are referred to the appropriate committee, which then decides whether or not to take up the bill or possibly combine it with other similar bills. The committee may have the bill drafted into legal language before bringing it up for a public hearing. Or, the committee could choose to have a “subject matter hearing” in which the general concept of the bill is put out for public comment and debate.
2. How Can My Voice be Heard at a Public Hearing?
Any member of the public is able to make his or her voice heard at a public hearing. When the public hearing is scheduled, members of the public show up to the public hearing, give their opinion to lawmakers and answer any questions committee members may have. Individuals can also submit written testimony through the committee’s webpage. After the public hearing the committee will vote whether or not to pass the bill out of committee.
3. The Bill Has Passed out of Committee, What Happens Next?
Depending on the nature of the bill and if there will be any significant costs associated with the legislation, it may be referred to a second committee. Otherwise, the bill will be checked for constitutionality and consistency with law. The Office of Fiscal Analysis will determined the costs associated with the bill and the Office of Legislative Research will produce a “plain English” explanation of the bill. The clerk then assigns the bill a number and it can then be taken up for a vote in either the House or Senate.
4. If One Chamber Passes the Bill, Then What?
If the bill passes in one chamber, it is then referred to the other chamber. This does not necessarily mean it will be voted on, however. Amendments to the bill may be debated and added, and the bill may have to be referred to another committee. However, if both chambers agree on the bill and all its amendments, the bill is then sent to the governor for approval or veto. A governor’s veto can be overruled by a 2/3 majority in the House and Senate.
5. What Can I Do Right Now?
You can write or call the members of the committee to express your opinion. You can say if you want a bill to be brought for a public hearing or not; you can express support or opposition to any of the bills they are considering. Below is a list of legislative committees and links to their webpages. You can also keep up to date through Yankee Institute’s email list.
The Yankee Institute for Public Policy Studies is a research and citizen education organization founded in 1984 under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. As one of America’s oldest state-based think tanks, Yankee develops and advocates for free market, limited government public policy solutions in Connecticut.
Yankee Institute for Public Policy
216 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-282-0722
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