Josh Elliott

We are in our final few weeks of the legislative session and I wanted to provide you with some updates.

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

Tobacco 21
According to the state Department of Public Health, 95% of adults who smoke started before they turned 21. We approved legislation (House Bill 7200) to prohibit the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, electronic delivery systems, and vapor products to anyone under the age of 21.

Women’s Health
Our state has always been at the forefront of safeguarding critical reproductive rights, including access to abortion. The House of Representatives has taken an extra step after it passed House Bill 7070 to prohibit the use of deceptive advertising practices by crisis pregnancy centers. These centers are not medically-based, and do not provide referrals for abortion or emergency contraception, despite advertising them.

Increasing Vaccine Rates
Despite shocking school-by-school vaccine numbers from DPH, removing the state’s religious exemption is on hold. Legislators and staff almost exclusively heard from those who are fearful of vaccination – and rarely from medical professionals, academics, and the immune-compromised who rely on herd-immunity. It was our intent to stave off outbreaks of disease by eliminating the religious exemption, but until broader communities make their voices heard, we may simply be at the will of an extremely well-organized, and vocal, minority. The fight will continue.

Green Energy/Wind
Green energy legislation (House Bill 7156) was approved by the House in a bipartisan vote. It authorizes the procurement of energy derived from offshore wind and is anticipated to help with replacing the potential loss of Millstone in 10 years. We are in better position for the state to grow as a leader in green energy technology and ultimately help Connecticut achieve its renewable energy goals.

Other Big Bills Passed By the House This Session

• Early Voting
• Ethan’s Law
• Ban on Ghost Guns