Josh Elliott

The legislative session has officially come to a close, marking the culmination of months of focused work on behalf of our community. In the final days, we adopted a state budget that delivers increased education funding totaling $2,227,363 and additional municipal aid totaling $1,572,111, investments that will strengthen our schools, support essential local services, and help alleviate pressure on property taxpayers.

We also advanced significant legislation to enhance online safety protections, and strengthen consumer data privacy as well as to expand investments in renewable energy for a more sustainable future. Together, these measures reflect a continued commitment to building a more secure, sustainable, and equitable future for all residents.
 

After months of negotiation, House Democrats shepherded passage of a bipartisan budget demonstrating that compromise remains the most effective way to govern.

Together, we produced a 2027 budget that significantly boosts support for the state’s education system, increases crucial investments in housing and transportation, supports town and city budgets, and more, all while safeguarding the state's strong fiscal outlook, including $1 billion toward paying down long-term debt.

This budget includes:

• Over $300 million relief package for cities, towns, and schools
• $190 million in direct support for schools
• $100 million to address local tax increases
• $12 million to establish universal free school breakfast programs across the state
• Expanded grants for successful special education programs
• Numerous grants to towns to address the rising costs associated with construction and purchasing
• $4 million to help communities where three hospitals abruptly came off the tax rolls

A historic agreement with our hospitals:

• Providing them with much-needed tax relief
• Maximizing federal funding for health care
• Setting up a system to address rising costs

More investments in transportation options for our residents:

• Increased funding for Shoreline East rail
• Funded successful "micro-transit" public transportation programs
• Helped prevent hikes in bus fares

Making Connecticut more affordable for working families:

• Expanding sales tax-free week to include clothing, shoes, and backpacks under $300 (from $100)
• Making basic school supplies tax-free, including backpacks, lunchboxes, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, rulers, and paper
• Creating a family caregiver tax credit for residents caring for a loved one

Investing in Connecticut businesses and job growth:

• Helping small businesses offer health care support by providing a tax credit when they contribute toward employees’ individual health insurance coverage.
• Supporting small businesses and biotech companies through a new research and development tax credit to help them grow and create jobs in our state

Taking Aim at Property Taxes:

• $162M new Education Equalization Grant to address underfunding in our current school funding formula
• Additional 2% for the towns that have seen recent population decreases
• $100M in new funding to cities and towns

Connecticut residents made a call for help in many areas. Connecticut lawmakers heard it and answered in a strong, bipartisan way.

The House passed Senate Bill 5: An Act Concerning Online Safety, legislation I am proud to co-sponsor. The C.A.R.T. Act creates clear standards for powerful AI systems, while preparing Connecticut's residents, workers, students, small businesses, public agencies, and institutions for an AI-driven economy.
 
AI is already affecting our economy, workplaces, online platforms, and the information Connecticut residents encounter every day. Senate Bill 5 responds to the new reality of AI through targeted protections, transparency for consumers, and system accountability.

This legislation targets areas where AI is making a meaningful impact on residents' lives, including employment-related automated decision tools, consumer disclosures, synthetic media provenance, youth online safety, and workforce preparation.
 
Connecticut residents are already being impacted by AI systems. It is our state's responsibility to take action to set clear expectations to keep residents protected from harmful AI practices.

This bill makes it easier to exercise your right to delete your data from data brokers and people tracking websites and prevents predatory surveillance pricing. As technology evolves, our laws must evolve with it. Senate Bill 4 takes critical action to strengthen privacy protections, promote transparency, and ensure Connecticut consumers are treated fairly.

Senate Bill 4 will target the following specific threats to consumer privacy:

• Data brokers: Consumers may request, at no cost, the deletion of any personal data collected by a data broker.
• Dynamic pricing: Strict disclosure requirements apply when businesses use algorithmic pricing to increase prices.
• Geolocation data: Controllers and processors are banned from selling or sharing precise geolocation data.
• Genetic Testing: Consumers would have the right to their own genetic data when using direct to consumer genetic testing services and create more transparency in their policies.
• Volume of Ads: Streaming platforms cannot transmit the audio of any commercial advertisement at a volume that is louder than the volume established by the Federal Communications Commission for television commercials.

Senate Bills 4 and 5 now move to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

Connecticut has strived to be a leader in renewable energy, and this approach ensures we keep moving forward while prioritizing affordability. House Bill 5340: An Act Concerning Renewable Power Generation, modernizes Connecticut’s renewable energy programs by introducing measures meant to make them more reliable, consistent and flexible to economic fluctuations.

This bill will:

• Create clear annual megawatt and budget targets so renewable energy programs remain financially sustainable, and ratepayer impacts stay predictable and focus on investments that result in savings for ratepayers holistically
• Give state regulators the flexibility to adjust programs year-to-year to remain within overall budget limits instead of being tied to rigid annual caps that may not reflect market conditions
• Create dedicated solar rates for low-income residents, residents in distressed municipalities, and affordable multifamily housing residents
• Encourage municipalities to adopt an existing streamlined solar permitting platform (Solar APP +) to help simplify and speed up the permitting process

As electricity demand grows, we must ensure that our energy programs are cost effective and efficient.

On Saturday, May 9, come out to Camp Mountain Laurel (2705 Downes Road) for a fun-filled day dedicated to supporting local youth through the Y’s programs and summer camp scholarships. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, connect with community members, and help ensure that every child has access to enriching experiences, regardless of financial circumstances.

Whether you’re attending with family, friends, or neighbors, your participation will make a meaningful difference, helping to expand opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and thrive throughout the year.

Click here for more information and to register.