Electric Rates and 2025 Priority Bills

February 5, 2025

There are many issues that need to be addressed this session and House Democrats recently unveiled our top priorities for 2025. Please read below to learn how we plan to tackle special education, housing, our environment, affordable childcare, refundable child tax credit, and Medicaid reimbursement rates.
 
Governor Lamont also released his budget proposal on Wednesday afternoon pledging “affordability and opportunity for all.” Together with our Senate colleagues and Republican counterparts in both chambers our goal the next several months will be to come to a consensus. This is where you can play a key role.
 
Rep. Moira Rader (98th District) and I in the House Chamber for the Governor's budget address.
 
Legislative committees continue meeting daily and are beginning to hold public hearings. Please continue to let us know your priorities and lend your voice in those hearings. February and March will be busy getting bills through the committee process with a few House and Senate session days to approve nominations and bills that require prompt policy action.
 
There is plenty to get to in the email below, keep scrolling for more on: 
  • Electric Rates
  • 2025 Priority Bills
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Medicaid Reimbursement Rates
  • Grant Programs for Women
  • Special Education Listening Tour
  • Community Events
 
Electric Rates
Despite what you may read, the complexity of Connecticut’s electric rate issues defies any soundbite solution.
 
CT News Junkie takes a deep dive into the issue here that I recommend you read. 
As the article notes -- from supply, to delivery, to the grid, to usage, to the climate, to regulation -- there are a lot of issues to dissect, some of which are beyond our control. As a state resident and utility ratepayer, I agree with you that rates have to be reined in.
 
As such, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find ways to bring electric rates down for individuals, families, and businesses across the state.
 
 
2025 Priority Bills
2025 Legislative priorities House Democrats will focus on this session:
 
 
Child Tax Credit
I am proud to partner with more than 60 of my House colleagues in introducing Proposed House Bill 5986: An Act Establishing a Refundable Child Tax Credit Against the Personal Income Tax.
 
This bill would create a permanent, refundable child tax credit of $600 per child (for up to three children) for tax filers earning:
  • $100,000 or less (single filers)
  • $200,000 or less (married filing jointly)
Connecticut is the only high-cost-of-living state with a broad-based income tax that does not adjust for family size or childcare expenses.
 
 
Medicaid Reimbursement Rates
House and Senate Democratic leaders announced a legislative proposal to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers, which is long overdue. A recent state Medicaid Rate Study found that Connecticut lags well behind peer states when paying providers under Connecticut’s Medicaid program. Many areas of care are currently reimbursed at the same levels they were in 2007.

Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates is a worthy investment, and that’s the type of good work we’re going to keep doing here.


 
 
Grant Programs
Women-owned and child care businesses across Connecticut have an exciting opportunity to secure funding to support and grow their companies.
 
The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is now accepting applications for two grant programs designed to help businesses at various stages of development.
 
The Ignite Grant Program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25,000 and $2 million.
 
The application period for the Ignite Grant runs through March 10. Click here for additional information on Ignite.    
 
The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program offers grants targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand. 
 
The application period for Child Care Business grants runs through March 3. You can find more information on the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants here.
 
Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods, interested applicants can register for a live information session here.   
 
 
Special Education Listening Tour
 
The Special Education committee will be holding a listening tour across the state that will help to inform their work this legislative session. 
 
 
Community Events
 
On Wednesday morning I participated in World Read Aloud Day by reading to the Murphy School Public Pre-K classroom.
 
This day celebrates the power of reading aloud and advocates for literacy as a fundamental human right.
 
 
In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, in collaboration with Veterans Affairs and the Connecticut National Guard are seeking assistance in identifying any living World War II veterans that served from December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946, to be honored during an upcoming ceremony. 

The ceremony will take place on Monday, May 19 at 11:00A.M. at the Governor William A. O’Neill State Armory, 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT. 

The event aims to recognize and thank members of the Greatest Generation, whose dedication and bravery shaped the freedom and democracy enjoyed today.

Members of the public are asked to share the names, branch of service, ages, and town of residence for any living World War II veterans in Connecticut by completing the form found HERE, by Monday, May 5th.