As we head into another packed week of public hearings on a wide range of bills, I want to share what is on my mind as I prepare for the days ahead.
Along with the many policy proposals before us, I am also keeping a close eye on the recent swings in the stock market and what they may mean for Connecticut revenues once first- and second- quarter estimated tax payments come in. Because some of that income tax revenue can be highly unpredictable from year to year, the state sets aside a share of it in our rainy-day reserves instead of counting on it for ongoing spending. That stronger-than-expected revenue picture has helped Connecticut better manage the unexpected loss of federal dollars that were clawed back in the last year.
Going forward, we are staying mindful that these volatile revenue streams can weaken quickly, and we are planning responsibly for that possibility. Decisions made in Washington do affect what we can do here at home, and those economic shifts are always part of how I think about where we can have the greatest impact for Connecticut residents, especially when it comes to affordability.
That is why it was so meaningful to hear loud and clear from residents last week in the Education Committee that increasing the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula would be a real win for affordability. When the state invests more in our public schools, it can help ease the pressure on local property taxes. I will continue following this bill closely and keep you posted, because it has the potential to bring real relief to our towns and families.
This Wednesday, I expect to be listen to various voices all day and all night, with several hearings projected to continue through Thursday morning. In Finance, Revenue & Bonding, we will hear from residents and businesses on Sales & Use Tax changes, including what qualifies as a luxury vehicle tax (because we all know $50,000 does not mean what it once did!) and whether Connecticut’s current cannabis tax structure is driving consumers to purchase in neighboring states like Massachusetts and New York. The Public Health Committee will hear a bill on vaccination guidelines. There are three bills relating to firearms and large-capacity magazines on the agenda for the Judiciary Committee, and Education will hold a hearing on a bill proposing some oversight of homeschooling programs.
Our job is to listen, to hear every viewpoint, and to carefully consider the merits of each bill before decisions are made. If you would like to weigh in on any of these proposals, please take a look at the links below. Testimony can still be submitted even after the hearing, and I always welcome hearing directly from you by email as well.
Savet Constantine
State Representative
| Current Committee Bills and Work |
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Finance, Revenue & Bonding:
For the public hearing on Wednesday, March 11, I want to highlight three bills that may be of particular interest to many of you. If you have business experience or subject-matter expertise on any of them, I encourage you to reach out and share your perspective or submit testimony. Hearing directly from residents and stakeholders is essential to shaping bills before they reach the House floor. |
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- House Bill 5443 For the would make changes to Connecticut’s sales and use tax rates affecting luxury vehicles, electricity used in biotechnology businesses, and the tax-free week exemption.
- House Bill 5444 would index personal income tax thresholds and exemption amounts to inflation.
- House Bill 5445 would replace the current THC-based cannabis tax with a flat excise tax. Supporters argue this would make pricing more predictable for both businesses and consumers, while helping Connecticut retailers compete with neighboring states. Right now, prices can vary depending on a product’s batch-specific THC levels, which can be confusing for customers and difficult for businesses. I expect a wide range of perspectives on this bill, including from business owners and public health advocates alike.
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Education:
Also on Wednesday, the Education Committee will hear House Bill 5468, a bill related to equivalent education (homeschooling) in Connecticut. Many families do an excellent job homeschooling, and parents absolutely have the right to choose that path. At the same time, our state currently has no reliable way to confirm that a child is receiving an education or even, in some cases, to account for where that child is.
I am reading the hundreds of emails and testimony coming in, and I will be listening closely at the public hearing as we consider whether there is a reasonable balance between accountability and respect for homeschooling families. CLICK HERE to see the public hearing agenda.
Energy and Technology:
The Energy & Technology Committee will hold its third hearing on Thursday with bills covering renewable energy, energy storage safety, and telecommunications service standards.
I joined a bipartisan legislator letter urging PURA to delay a final decision on the proposed Aquarion sale to the Regional Water Authority, which raises serious concerns for our communities, including loss of tax revenue and lack of proportional representation. You can read the letter here and read an article here. PURA issued a draft approval for the sale on March 6, and I will keep you updated when the final decision occurs. |
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| Highlights of Legislation We Passed |
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| The governor approved the legislation that my colleagues and I passed on February 26 with a few line item vetoes that I support. Passage of the two bills represent meaningful progress on the extensive work and public hearings behind Senate Bills 298 & 299. Moving these laws across the finish line early in the session reflects our commitment to getting important work done. |
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| Let's start with the education piece of SB 298, which passed the House last year with strong support but did not receive a Senate vote before time expired. The law tackles school suspensions, kindergarten eligibility, antisemitism, and trauma-informed school safety drills. |
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In addition, we approved legislation targeting bottle redemption fraud, an issue that I have been actively working on since last year in my role as Vice Chair of Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee.
Fraud has grown dramatically since Connecticut increased its bottle deposit from five cents to ten cents. Some out-of-state actors have exploited the higher refund value by transporting large quantities of containers into Connecticut, leading to reported losses in the millions for beverage distributors.
The new law addresses this abuse by:
- Increasing fines for violations of the state’s bottle bill
- Requiring redemption centers to record identifying information for anyone redeeming more than 1,000 bottles and cans in a single day
- Granting law enforcement clear authority to pursue out-of-state violators
These changes protect legitimate consumers and small businesses while preserving the integrity of Connecticut’s recycling system.
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| Bill To Create Refundable Child Tax Credit |
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I was listening closely as residents testified in support of House Bill 5134, which I am proud to have co-introduced, establishing a refundable child tax credit of $600 per child, for up to three children. This incentive would apply to families earning up to $100,000 for single filers and $200,000 for joint filers.
If passed, this policy will both provide financial relief and serve as an economic stimulus for the state. I will follow the progress of the bill and provide updates as they become available this session. |
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I look forward to meeting with residents at three events in the 42nd District this month. Here's what is on deck:
- Tonight! Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Canaan Library. Registration to attend is open until the forum starts. The New Canaan delegation will be there. Register here!
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- Saturday, March 21 at 10 a.m. at the Ridgefield Public Library. Sen. Ceci Maher, Sen. Julie Kushner, Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo, and I will talk about the legislative priorities and answer your questions. Register here!
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- Residents of Wilton Commons are welcome to join me for coffee on Thursday, March 26 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Wilton Commons (21 Station Road). This is an opportunity for residents to talk about what is important to them during an overview of what legislation we are hearing in the 2026 legislative session.
As always, I welcome the opportunity to meet with any group to talk about legislative issues. I encourage you to reach out so we can set up a time where you can share your priorities, ask questions, and provide feedback. Real conversations like this allow me to better serve as your voice at the Capitol. Let's get together and have the conversation. I look forward to hearing from you!
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| It was such a pleasure to visit Miller-Driscoll School in Wilton for Read Across America and spend time with so many eager young readers. The students were quick to share their favorite books, with The Cat in the Hat getting plenty of love, and one student proudly told me her brother shares a birthday with Dr. Seuss! |
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| It was especially meaningful to be back in the elementary school my own two children attended, to see books filling a room proudly called the library, and to reconnect with so many familiar teachers and staff. |
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| Highlighting Student Success |
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Since the start of session, I’ve had a couple of meaningful opportunities to celebrate some of our state’s brightest young minds at the Capitol in Hartford.
I had the honor of recognizing four outstanding middle school students from Wilton in the House chamber after they captured a state championship title in a STEM competition. These remarkable young men have demonstrated extraordinary talent, teamwork, and dedication. They are now preparing to represent Connecticut at the world championships this April in Texas. For more information on their work, check out www.AlliedAlgos.org. |
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| The entire community is incredibly proud of their achievement and is wishing them well as they take the global stage! Best of luck! |
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| I also had the privilege of recognizing students during Connecticut Future Business Leaders of America Day. This program prepares our youth for the workplace through leadership development, civic engagement, and career-focused education. I was proud to present the group with an official citation honoring their commitment to shaping Connecticut’s next generation of business leaders. |
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| Moments like these are powerful reminders of why we do this work. Every vote we cast and every policy we shape is about investing in the future and seeing these students succeed makes that mission all the more meaningful. |
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| Take My Constituent Survey! |
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| I encourage you to take my constituent survey by clicking on the image below. This is an opportunity for you to share your priorities and provide critical feedback on how to serve as your voice in Hartford. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. |
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