Historic Budget and Reproductive Rights Protections

May 10, 2022
Yesterday, the Governor signed into law a budget that provides significant support for Connecticut families. I was proud to support a budget that includes a child tax credit, increases the Earned Income Tax Credit for working families, maintains the gas tax break, eliminates the pension tax, lowers the car tax in places like neighboring Bridgeport, and provides critical investments in mental health services for our young people.

You can read a helpful breakdown in this CT Mirror article (As an aside, Mirror reporter Keith Phaneuf is a tremendous source of state budget and fiscal news). To learn more about the strength of the state’s budget reserve and its possible uses, check out CT Post columnist Dan Haar’s piece on the front page of today’s Post.

 
Earlier today, I joined Governor Lamont, Lt. Governor Bysiewicz, colleagues from the Reproductive Rights Caucus, and advocates for the signing of the Reproductive Rights bill. The bill assures safe access to abortion and reproductive healthcare for Connecticut residents and those who travel to Connecticut from other states.

The budget bill also provides protection for out of state residents and in state providers who receive or provide gender affirming healthcare services. Together, these bills mean that Connecticut is a refuge and will protect those seeking gender affirming and reproductive healthcare services.

Beginning next week, I will share results from the legislative session for the committees on which I serve, followed by the other committees.