Moira Rader

It’s been a very busy but inspiring few weeks since my last newsletter to you. We in the General Assembly are now down to the last few weeks of the regular legislative session, working to pass important bills and negotiate an equitable and impactful state budget. I’m proud of the legislation I have already supported with my vote and look forward to continuing to do so as we come to the conclusion of the session in early June.

In district, much has been happening as we enjoy this wonderful spring weather along the shoreline. I have been spending a lot of time communicating with constituents regarding both their support or concerns around proposed legislation. I appreciate every email, phone call and conversation from you that helps inform my decisions on bills, guides my advocacy around the pending state budget and spurs me forward as I fight to make the issues of our district a priority for our leadership.

I am thankful to all of you for your trust and input as I work to represent your voices here in Hartford.

 With gratitude,

Connecticut just received an upgraded credit rating from the Kroll Bond Rating Agency, which means that our General Obligation bond credit rating was upgraded from AA (stable) to AA+ (stable), just one step below the highest credit rating possible!

This news is an excellent testament to the success of the bipartisan fiscal guardrails and budgeting disciplines we have in place.

Our state has received an improved credit rating before.

Just last year, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) upgraded Connecticut's credit rating from A+ (positive) to AA- (stable). In 2021, all four major credit rating agencies upgraded Connecticut's credit rating, including Moody's. S&P, Fitch and Kroll.

Our credit upgrade allows us to maintain a strong financial standing and strengthens our appeal to those looking to make investments here.

HB 6667 also:

• Strengthens safe storage to address home invasions, and if a firearm is stolen and reported within 72 hours, the owner will not be held liable for crimes committed by the offender
• Increases the number of family violence crimes as disqualifiers for purchasing a firearm
• Tightens the definition of open carry, which is prohibited unless a person is on their own property or their own business
• Increases accountability for gun dealers, giving DESPP more accountability tools
• Updates permit requirements
• Prohibits the sale of more than three guns per 30-day period to prevent straw purchases and to provide more flexibility for those who purchase guns lawfully
• Increases the penalty for not reporting stolen firearms which is one of the leading causes of firearm deaths

The bill now moves to the Senate for its consideration.

H.B. 5917: An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Vision Zero Council passed through the House of Representatives on Tuesday. This bill includes several measures aimed at enhancing traffic safety and lower the number of deadly accidents.
 
Automated traffic enforcement is A vital component of H.B. 5917, which has proven to be an effective way to reduce fatal traffic accidents. Under this bill, municipalities may install speed cameras and red-light cameras in school zones, pedestrian safety zones, and other state-approved locations with a history of crashes.
 
Fines for violations captured by these cameras have a maximum of $50 for the first violation and $75 for the second, with a $15 processing fee. It's important to note that revenue from these fines must be used to improve traffic safety. Additionally, speed cameras cannot ticket drivers unless they were driving at least ten mph over the speed limit.
 
To ensure accuracy, camera images must be reviewed by a municipal employee or police officer and approved before tickets can be issued. Furthermore, this bill allows prosecutors to require individuals who contest traffic violations to attend driving safety courses as a condition for resolving the contested ticket.
 
Finally, this bill requires drivers to watch a video on current traffic laws and safe driving practices when transferring a license from another area before every license renewal.”

✅ HB 6755: Advanced manufacturing is our future – H.B. 6755 establishes a working group to develop a plan for an advanced manufacturing technology center in the state, and to maximize the economic, educational and workforce benefits provided to the state.

✅ HB 5441: HB 5441 is a bipartisan effort that improves the state’s workforce pipeline, including the extension of the existing teacher loan subsidy program for teachers in Alliance Districts, to paraeducators and school counselors.

✅ HB 6486: The House took another step towards sustainability with the passage of H.B. 6486. This bill establishes a state-wide stewardship program for discarded tires and ensures access to tire collection while promoting recycling efforts and holding producers accountable.

✅ HB 5628: Hydropower is a clean and renewable energy alternative that our state could potentially utilize. That’s why we passed HB 5628.

✅ HB 6768: We’re taking another step to protect reproductive rights in our state by ensuring access to emergency contraceptives at pharmacies. HB 6768 will give pharmacists the ability to prescribe medications and medical devices to patients. It also protects pharmacies from prosecution from states whose laws do not allow such activity.

✅ HB 6892: Putting teeth in municipal blight laws to increase the tools towns have to deal with abandoned, blighted and unsafe properties.

✅ HB 6918: Chambers of Commerce and business leaders cheered when we passed groundbreaking clean slate legislation… yesterday we passed mainly technical issues to get this policy moving forward.

✅ HB 6775: Expands protections for seniors by increasing the number of mandated reporters for suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation or when a senior needs protective services.

✅ HB 6872: Will ensure election officials and presidential electors do their duty as prescribed by law.

✅ HB 5314: Attention consumers! Under HB 5314 businesses will no longer be able to charge your credit card, debit card, or third-party payment account without your consent for automatic renewal or continuous services.

✅ HB 6746: Sadly, wrong-way crashes and deaths have been on the rise in our state. We took action to help reduce incidents and minimize fatalities.

✅ HB 5902: Food allergies can be life-threatening. H.B. 5902 establishes standards that restaurants must follow to ensure customers alert staff about their allergies. The bill will also require informational posters to be displayed in restaurants to ensure increased safety and awareness.

✅ HB 6561: Protecting our children is the most important part of youth athletic competition. HB 6561 creates a task force that will study safety measures for all sports.
 

✅ Health care providers shouldn’t face out-of-state repercussions for doing what’s legal in Connecticut. H.B. 6820 protects Connecticut providers performing safe and legal reproductive health care services to those who need it.

✅ The House approved HB 6898, which requires the Attorney General’s Office to submit a report on the settlement agreement with Juul Labs. In April, Juul Labs agreed to a $462 million settlement between six states, including Connecticut, for their role in marketing addictive nicotine products to teens.     

✅ Families who are tasked with taking care of loved ones need a lifeline. HB 6677 will require the Department of Social Services to develop a plan that will increase the number of residents eligible to receive adult day services.