Julio Concepcion

The 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.

I am pleased to report the House passed legislation that will facilitate minority teacher recruitment and retention across the state.

After many hours of hard work and debate, my colleagues and I have passed House Bill 7267, which takes a comprehensive and systematic approach to health care and its soaring costs. The directives and policies in this legislation will significantly increase access to care and create a more sustainable, high-value health care system in the future.

The House of Representatives are in session and we passed HB 5002 which is a comprehensive energy bill the will extend virtual net metering for two more years breathing life into the solar power industry.

Hard-working families in Connecticut got a boost today with Gov. Lamont signing legislation to increase the state’s minimum wage. I believe anyone working a full-time job should earn enough to support themselves and their family. This legislation is a step in the right direction.

Congratulations to the 2019 Grace Academy Robotic Team, which won first place in the First Lego League, First place in the CT Science Center RoboJam event, and first place in the International Fire Fighting Robot Competition! They also received the IEEE Award for Excellence, the Vex Robot Design Award, and the ​Gallichotte Award for Best Connecticut Robot.

Connecticut is a leader when it comes to sensible gun safety laws. We continued our leadership on the issue by passing Ethan’s Law, legislation regulating ghost guns and legislation increasing safe storage in motor vehicles.

Minimum wage workers are moving closer to a living wage. The House approved House Bill #5004 to increase the minimum wage incrementally over the next few years to $15 in 2023.