2021 Legislative Priorities

February 8, 2021

With a long agenda of issues left over from last year and Covid-19 still dominating our lives, there is a lot at stake and a lot to accomplish before the legislative session ends in early June. This year I have introduced several pieces of legislation focused on tax relief for the middle class and our small businesses, funding for workforce development in the advanced manufacturing industry and some extra support for retired teachers and for those affected by the opioid epidemic.

With the deadline for proposed bills having passed last week and the deadline for committee bills coming up soon, I wanted to share with you some of my priorities going into the year.

Tax Relief for the Middle Class and Small Businesses

We must continue work to level the playing field and promote tax equity and fairness, particularly in light of the major gaps that have widened even further due to the ongoing pandemic. To that end, I have submitted bills to:

  • Provide targeted tax relief to middle-class taxpayers by establishing a state child tax credit (HB 5276) and by helping seniors and retirees by increasing the deduction for the pension and annuity income (HB 5001).
  • Increase income tax credits for small businesses (HB 6181).
  • Make modest changes to taxes on capital gains for couples making more than $1M a year (HB 5274) and estates valued at over $5M (HB 5275) to help provide tax relief for the middle and working class and small businesses. 

Advanced Manufacturing

Connecticut should be all in on advanced manufacturing! We need to build our workforce to fill advanced manufacturing jobs in Manchester, Glastonbury and beyond. Advanced manufacturing has been widely acknowledged as a key industry for the future growth of our economy and I have submitted several bills that would provide much needed funding for training programs in our high schools.  (HB 5837, HB 5902) It is especially needed now as we need to get Connecticut back to work and get our students back in school learning these high demand skills!

Work on the Banking Committee

As Chair of the Banking Committee, I am particularly focused on the following measures:

  • Prepare for the possible upcoming increase in foreclosures due to the economic distress caused by the pandemic.
  • Review and improve equity and access to capital and banking for everyone - Including by improving our fair lending laws and expanding our existing programs to encourage homeownership and affordability of housing.
  • Expand the existing "Student Loan Bill of Rights" and curb the abusive practices of some student loan servicers.
  • Explore numerous consumer protection issues related to banking and consumer loan transactions.

Other Priorities for the Session

I will continue to advocate for the:

  • end of the sale of inhumanely bred animals from puppy mills in Connecticut (HB 5974)
  • increase the accessibility of Narcan to prevent opioid overdose (HB 5394)
  • improving the quality of health care for our retired teachers (HB 5605)
  • prevention of pharmaceutical drug "switching" by insurance companies which affect patients facing diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (HB 5346)

To view, read, and track the progress of each over the course of the session, simply click on the link HERE.