Robin Comey

We wrapped up another legislative session that was full of long nights and contentious debates. We were able to advance a budget and a lot of important legislation that truly does help the residents of our great state. 

There is a lot in this week’s update, and I hope you will take the time to read about it! 

• Biennial Budget
• Transformative Childcare
• CT Hero Act
• Electric Bill Relief
• Pride Month Celebrations
• Protecting the Environment
• Scam Alert
• Community Events

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.

Click the image below to listen to my comments on how the budget is investing in you. Follow me on TikTok.

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.

The House and Senate took bold, bipartisan action to lower electric bills—passing a comprehensive energy reform bill with more than $780 million in savings for ratepayers.

Lower Bills:

• Paying Down COVID-era Electric Debt
• Cutting Charges for Solar, EVs & Fuel Cells
• Smarter Energy Purchasing to Lock in Savings
• Smoothing $1.2B Storm Costs to Avoid Rate Spikes

Smarter Grid:

• Require Cost-Saving Tech Reviews Before Costly Grid Projects
• Improve Planning to Avoid Wasteful “Gold-Plated” Upgrades

 Stronger Future for CT Families:

• Support Advanced Nuclear & Geothermal
• Incentivize Grid Efficiency
• Expand DEEP’s Clean Energy Planning Authority

By easing costs on consumers, modernizing the grid, and investing in clean energy, we are powering a more affordable, reliable, and accountable energy future for all.

This past week we celebrated Pride Day at the Capitol. On Sunday, June 8 there will be a rally on the Town Green in Branford starting at 5:00 P.M.

Scroll below to see how you can join in the monthlong celebrations across our state!

HB 5004: An Act Concerning the Protection of the Environment and the Development of Renewable Energy Sources and Associated Job Sectors

We passed priority legislation to protect the environment this session. Our climate bill takes a comprehensive, practical, and equitable approach to protecting our environment—from homes and schools to jobs and land. It sets clear goals, removes barriers, and puts people and sustainability first—all through the lens of affordability.

As our state is increasingly feeling the impacts of climate change, it is the legislature's job to enact meaningful change for the safety of our residents and to emerge as a leader on climate solutions.

This bill takes a comprehensive, practical, and equitable approach to protecting our environment - from homes and schools to jobs and land. It sets clear goals, removes barriers, and puts people and sustainability first, all through the lens of affordability.
 
Key provisions of the bill include:

• Setting new goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions—including an economy-wide net-zero target by 2050—without imposing costs on ratepayers
• Supporting clean energy jobs and businesses through tax incentives, rebates, and a council to guide workforce transitions
• Developing strategic plans and expanding access to clean technologies
• Expanding loan and grant programs to include more climate-smart projects and ensuring funds benefit low-income residents and renters
• Developing plans that address the triple impact of reducing energy costs, lowering emissions, and supporting climate resilience
• Encouraging nature-based solutions for reaching our greenhouse gas reduction and other climate goals

Connecticut State Police are warning there is a text message scam involving a phony traffic ticket. The criminals pretend to be with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and claim the recipient has an outstanding traffic ticket that must be paid immediately.

If you receive a text like the one below, DO NOT click on the link. It leads to a fraudulent website where your personal and financial information can be stolen.

Here are some tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on how to avoid being a victim of these types of scams:

• Do not respond to the text or click any links, the DMV would not ask for your information or money by text
• If you think the message might be real contact DMV using a trusted phone number or website
• Copy the text message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM), this will help your wireless provider spot and block similar messages
• Report the text on the messaging app you use and look for the option to report junk or spam
• Report the text to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and/or file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov

If you did click the link and experienced a financial loss, please contact local law enforcement as soon as possible.