Juan R. Candelaria

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.

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.

The tourism industry in CT supports more than 82,000 jobs, $14.7 billion in business sales, and $1.7 billion in tax revenues.

The House of Representatives approved legislation for including African-American, Puerto Rican and Latino studies in the public high school curriculum.

House passes HB 7200, which would prohibit the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, electronic nicotine delivery systems, and vapor products to persons under twenty-one.

The House approved legislation authorizing the procurement of energy derived from offshore wind turbines.

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.

Protecting the residents of our state from discrimination in the health insurance market is one of my top priorities and I’m very happy to report that we are continuing to make progress on that issue this legislative session.