Kevin Brown

After many months of hard work, intense debate on key issues, and the passage of transformative bills, the 2025 legislative session has officially come to a close. We advanced a budget that puts families first with affordable child care and a child tax credit, legislation that expands services to veterans, transportation bills that make our streets safer, plus reforms that will deliver relief to your electric bill. All of this important legislation and dozens of other proposals truly help the residents of our great state.

Unfortunately, in the waning hours of the legislative session, HB 7009—the Education Committee’s comprehensive omnibus bill—was regrettably not brought to a vote on the Senate floor. As a result, several important provisions, including the creation of a Civic Seal of Engagement for Connecticut high school students, will not become law this year.

This outcome is a setback—not only for civic engagement efforts, but for students across our state who deserve opportunities to be recognized and empowered as active participants in our democracy. Despite our best efforts to salvage key sections of the bill, we were met with resistance, and the legislation ultimately failed to move forward.

I remain fully committed to this work and will reintroduce these vital provisions when the General Assembly reconvenes in February 2026. We cannot afford to let another year go by without meaningful progress on this front. Our students—and our democracy—deserve better.

Congratulations to Vernon for achieving gold certification from Sustainable CT, a voluntary program that recognizes thriving and resilient municipalities. Vernon earned Sustainable CT’s silver certification in June 2022 and November 2019. At the time, silver certification was the highest achievement possible.

To be eligible for Sustainable CT certification, municipalities complete a range of sustainability actions, from community building to enhancing local economies and fostering arts and cultural institutions. Vernon also achieved the Climate Leader designation for its efforts to use renewable energy, enhance the efficiency of energy infrastructure, and be good stewards of the environment.

Vernon was recognized for a variety of achievements, including:

• Creating an open space inventory and efforts to expand town-owned open space
• The Live Here Love Trees program to educate property owners and add trees in the Rockville area
• Invasive plant management practices
• Watershed management efforts
• Providing free rides to the Vernon and Ellington farmers markets for people lacking transportation
• Sharing information that residents can use to enhance energy efficiency in their homes

As the CT Mirror’s budget reporter pointed out: “The state House of Representatives adopted a $55.8 billion two-year budget early Tuesday that invests in child care and K-12 education, provides a $250 tax cut to working poor families...”  Tax relief for working families; investing in education and special education; transformative funding for childcare and early childhood education; and standing up for nonprofit service providers are the pillars of the next state budget.

Our budget reflects shared values, marked by historic investments in children through expanded funding for special education and childcare. It strengthens support for working families and ensures that the essential work of nonprofits is both valued and financially supported. These organizations are on the frontlines every day, serving our most vulnerable neighbors. This budget affirms and reinforces their vital role in building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.

This budget stands up for:

HISTORIC NEW FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION

• $40 million for Excess Cost Grant in each of next two years
• $30 million for Special Education Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program
• $20 million in bonding to expand and upgrade special education facilities
• $10 million in bonding for capital development
• $10 million for Governor's Incentive District Grant
• Hold harmless funding for Education Cost Sharing, so no school district sees a cut

CHILDCARE

• Investible trust to provide sustainable funding for new childcare programs
• Funding for direct healthcare of our children through DSS Medicaid

NONPROFIT PROVIDERS

• Access to better health care and nonprofit community providers
• $150 million for groups homes and nursing homes
• More than $60 million in Medicaid rate increases, which will benefit nonprofit providers 

TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES

• Targeted, meaningful relief and long-term support for working families
• Refundable tax credit of $250 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) framework
• $500 refundable tax credit for home daycare owners that recognizes and sustains the vital care workforce
• Tax credit for employers who contribute to their employees' CHET accounts

This is a budget that works for the people — one that safeguards essential services, uplifts communities, and lays the foundation for a future where every resident is supported and protected.

Every Connecticut family deserves affordable, high-quality childcare. With the passage of House Priority Bill 5003 and Senate Bill 1, transformative legislation is set to become reality by expanding access, supporting educators, and invest in a stronger future for our children and our economy. These smart, sustainable investments position Connecticut to lead the nation in delivering affordable, high-quality childcare and establishing universal Pre-K by 2032. 

The bills:
 
Provide a Sustainable Investment

• Fund the Early Childhood Education Endowment to invest in childcare now and in the future

Lower Costs and Increase Access

• Childcare and Pre-K will be free for families in state-funded programs earning up to $100,000 and families making over $100,000 will pay no more than 7% of income
• Add 16,000 new childcare and Pre-K slots across the state
• Create an online portal to help families find and enroll in programs

Attract and Retain Early Childhood Educators

• Pay qualified educators on par with public school teachers
• Provide funding for health insurance coverage for educators   

This legislation delivers lasting solutions for families, educators, and the economy. Together, these measures provide relief for families, bolster recruitment and retention of childcare educators, and invest in the construction and renovation of early learning facilities. These bills represent a transformational step forward in Connecticut’s commitment to children and their future. 

Our veterans deserve more than just our gratitude, they deserve real, accessible support. With bipartisan support, the House of Representatives has passed final portion of the CT Hero Act through House Bill 6438, a crucial step toward strengthening and expanding the services veterans rely on.

The CT Hero Act is our commitment to ensuring services for those who’ve served our country. By improving how Connecticut delivers veterans' service, this bill ensures every veteran can access the benefits and support they have earned.

Key provisions of this bill include: 

• Making it easier for disabled veterans to qualify for state benefits: exempting veteran disability pay as an income requirement for certain state benefits
• Hiring more state employees to help connect veterans to their benefits: hiring veteran service officers to this Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans in qualifying for the VA disability claims.
• Guaranteeing free college tuition for disabled veterans: preventing higher ed institutions from charging fees
• Making it easier for veterans to qualify for free legal service: exempting veteran disability pay from an income requirement when determining access to public defenders.
• Making it easier for veterans and veteran own businesses to qualify for loans through D.E.C.D.
• Directing the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs to study: claim sharks and the municipal veterans representative program.

This measure reaffirms Connecticut’s commitment to honoring our veterans and standing with those who have served. Let’s ensure that every Connecticut veteran receives the care, support, and recognition they so rightfully deserve. Our veterans have earned nothing less.

House Democrats passed two Transportation bills this weekend that reflect Connecticut’s commitment to safer streets, smarter infrastructure, and modernized services.

The provisions in the legislation include:

• Increasing state funding to our local transit districts, helping local governments apply for federal grants
• Stronger DUI and BUI (boating) penalty
• Improving pedestrian safety in new crosswalks
• Updating helmet rules on bikes and motorcycles for young people
• 50% fare discount to seniors, veterans, minors, and the disabled on state-owned buses
• Creating a “yellow envelope” program to improve interactions between the police and people with disabilities
• Designating Special Service Road 495 in Meriden as the "Andrew DiDomenico Memorial Highway" and Bridge No. 01241 in Southington as the "State Trooper First Class Aaron M. Pelletier Memorial Bridge"

Below is a summary of other bills that passed this week:

• SB 8: AN ACT CONCERNING PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS AND ENHANCEMENTS TO WORKERS' RIGHTS
• HB 6932: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATE INTERPRETING STANDARDS BOARD
• SB 1542: AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF HANDCUFFS ON YOUNG CHILDREN
• SB 1450: AN ACT CONCERNING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE
• HB 6951: AN ACT CONCERNING CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
• HB 7191: AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID RATE INCREASES, PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY
• SB 10: AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE AND PATIENT PROTECTION
• To read the full list of bills, please visit: cga.ct.gov/2025/lbp/lobp.pdf