2019 Legislative Items
June 27, 2019The General Assembly’s regular session ended June 5th with a balanced budget and other significant legislation. I’d like to highlight some of the issues we addressed in the new state budget and other impactful legislation.
Minority Teacher Recruitment Legislation
June 11, 2019I am pleased to report the House passed legislation that will facilitate minority teacher recruitment and retention across the state.
Debt-Free College for Connecticut Students
June 11, 2019Connecticut has the third-highest accumulated student loan debt in the country and the financial burden that our college graduates must shoulder after growing up here is driving many of them to other states where housing and the cost of living is cheaper.
New Liquor Laws for Connecticut
June 11, 2019I supported legislation which passed with bipartisan support in the House and Senate regarding Connecticut’s rapidly growing craft beer, wine and cider industries. In just a few years short years these industries have grown from a few hundred jobs to several thousand and generate millions for the state economy.
Stable, Responsible State Budget
June 5, 2019The House passed a budget which is responsible, stable, and funds the Rainy Day Fund at historic levels.
House Floor Comments On The Budget
June 4, 2019A small percentage of the state budget goes to programs serving inner-city youths to keep them from getting involved in activities that may put them on the road to failure or worse. However, even though they have minimal impact on the budget, these programs are often the target for budget cuts. Here are my House Floor Comments related to the budget and these programs.
Minority Teacher Recruitment Legislation
June 4, 2019I am pleased to report the House passed legislation that will facilitate minority teacher recruitment and retention across the state.
Climate Change Instruction For Public Schools
June 4, 2019We passed a bill requiring the instruction of climate change in our public schools. It would be included in the science curriculum and based on guidelines consistent with the Next Generation Science Standards.