Assessing Wins and Losses This Legislative Session
June 10, 2019We can celebrate the passage of legislation in the recently concluded session, some after years of effort while I am disappointed that certain bills would have to start over next year. Among the wins are:
- State Water Plan-passed after 18 years, the plan creates a management system for water resources endorsed by multiple state agencies and based on scientific assessments of available water.
- Reimbursement of Wallingford’s expenditure for a municipal water line to homes on South Broad Street (originally passed by late Rep. Mary Fritz).
- Additional funding for workforce development.
- Relief for Oakdale Theatre from an unfair admissions tax not paid by other theatres.
- Restoration of PEGPETIA money to its original purpose, the support of community access television.
- Bill to help those with opioid addiction get assessment and long term care.
- Delinquency proceedings legislation to direct juvenile car thieves to alternative programs rather than adult prison.
- A raise in age for tobacco and vaping to 21 years.
- Free community college for full time students.
- Offshore wind energy proposals for up to 2,000 megawatts will be solicited by CT DEEP.
- More favorable conditions for solar power by changing net metering.
Among the losses are:
- Bottle law update was gutted by a leadership amendment. The bill would have expanded the types of containers covered and given a raise to local redemption centers.
- Bill to allow purchase of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.
- A more ambitious renewable energy goal for the state to address climate change.
- A bill that would have promoted regional 911 call centers.
Persistence is important in passing legislation, and some ideas take multiple years before finally passing into law.