Capitol Update 2022

August 1, 2022
Just recently you may have seen my 2022 End of Session Newsletter in your mailbox. In case you have not seen it, I also wanted to provide you with an electronic copy to read about some of the important legislation we worked on to improve the quality of life for Fairfield residents.  

I hope you find this information helpful. Of course, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
 
Kindest regards,
 
Jennifer

Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative
The State Budget
The 2022 legislative session was fast-paced and productive, resulting in historic tax relief, investments in children’s mental health, legislation protecting privacy and reproductive rights, and many other initiatives that will improve our quality of life. We approved a state budget that cut taxes by over $650 million and pays down an additional $3.6 billion in legacy pension liabilities (saving the state over $400 million a year). Connecticut currently has a $4.8 billion budget surplus and a record $3.1 billion in the rainy day fund. These fiscal reforms led to the second consecutive upgrade to our state’s bond rating, which we haven’t seen in 20 years. I also fought to make sure Fairfield will see an additional $1.2 million in total state aid for Fiscal Year 23 over what it received in Fiscal Year 22.

I know that even with all this progress, we still face significant challenges: inflation that hits everyone’s wallets, housing prices that price many out of even modest homes, and rising energy costs. That’s why I fought hard to provide you with relief: increasing the property tax credit, phasing out taxes on retirement income, creating a childcare rebate, cutting the gas tax and more.
 
 
Good News for Fairfield
This session I worked to secure $75,000 for a new scoreboard at Fairfield Ludlowe High School to reward our student athletes and replace the long since broken one that is nearly 20 years old.

 

 
Supporting Our Main Streets
This year, I once again had the honor to serve as a co-chair of the Connecticut Main Street Working Group, which advocates for smart economic development and historical restoration of our main streets, including Fairfield’s very own Post Rd and Pequot Ave. We passed legislation that helps local restaurants keep their doors open by extending permits for outdoor dining. We also approved another $350,000 for CT Main Street Center, and other main street bonding initiatives for street lighting and sidewalk improvements. For this work, I was very humbled to receive the 2022 Jack Shannahan Award for Public Service along with my other co-chairs whom I can’t thank enough.

 
 
Growing CT's Economy
• Lowered the business tax rate for unemployment insurance
• Established JobsCT program to incentivize companies with tax rebates to grow
• Made investments in community non-profits and providers to keep up with inflation
• Expanded successful Manufacturing Pipeline program
• Allowed high school graduates to access low-interest loans for attending occupational training programs
• Established student loan reimbursement program for in demand health care and mental health workers
 

 
Fostering Healthy Families
This was my first session as vice chair of the Human Services Committee. Fighting for our seniors, disabled, and most vulnerable has been some of the most rewarding work I’ve done. It is needed now more than ever as we continue to recover from Covid-19. Our major achievement this year was the historic Children’s Mental Health legislation we passed, which will expand access to mental health services, make more resources available in our schools and increase insurance coverage and screenings. We also worked to:

• Establish a $150 million grant program for schools to upgrade HVAC systems and improve air quality
• Increase funding for infant and toddler care programs
• Approve state tax credit for childcare and increase pay to childcare workers that allows parents to remain in the workforce
• Expand the successful Birth to Three Program
• Establish an office on gun violence prevention
• Fund 24/7 mobile mental health crisis clinics
 
 
Protecting the Environment
• Set goal of reaching zero greenhouse gas emissions from electricity supplied by 2040
• Created new incentives for consumer and commercial electric vehicles, required installation of electric chargers at new state and commercial buildings and exempted electric charging stations from the property tax
• Expanded financing to develop zero emission vehicle infrastructure and build more solar power and fuel cells
• Prohibited the use of the dangerous chemical chlorpyrifos

 
Supporting Our Seniors
• Regulated temporary nursing service agencies through the DPH to prevent staff shortages and price gouging in nursing homes
• Over $20 million in new grants to fund Senior centers, expand Meals on Wheels, and Alzheimer’s Respite Care
• Reduced the required time period to report suspected elder abuse

It truly is an honor to serve as your state representative at the state capitol and please always feel free to reach out to me regarding any concerns affecting you and your family.