Maria Horn

This is my State Capitol update for the week of June 14.

Last night, minutes before midnight, the 2021 Regular Legislative Session gaveled out.  While we do expect in the coming days to return for a special session to address some unfinished business, we’ve accomplished a lot, including the bipartisan passage of a strong biennium budget.  That’s a big deal for everyone who lives and works in Connecticut. 

This is my State Capitol update for the week of June 1.

In the midst of the brisk legislative pace, there were a couple of national occasions I wanted to acknowledge.  A light one is that today is National Running Day (who knew?). 

This Memorial Day weekend seems like one we’ve been looking forward to for a long time.  It’s been a long work week, and a long year of challenge that we are finally emerging from.  Some towns are moving forward with parades, others will not hold them this year, so please be sure to check your town’s website for the most up to date information. 

We voted on several Public Safety Bills so far this week, two of which were works in progress right up until the end, including many challenging conversations, and both passed with a combined total of one “no” vote between them.  It’s been a satisfying week.
 

It is good to be back in the district today after a long week in Hartford.  As we move to some of our thornier pieces of legislation, with more of us in and around our chamber, even the difficult negotiations include gratitude for the ability to be together to have them: a difficult compromise feels more solid when struck in person than it does on a Zoom screen.  

As a committee chair this year, I’m seeing more layers to the legislative process.  For one thing, bills are rarely final.  Even bills that passed unanimously in committee with the full support of all stakeholders, once placed on the “Go List” (which means they can be called at any time), can suddenly draw attention from those who just want to “tweak a sentence or two.”