Legislative Updates

April 8, 2022

Please see below for some important updates that I wanted to make you aware of. 

 
CT Baby Bonds
This month, the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee took the next step to implement a great wealth building program by passing Treasurer Shawn Wooden's bill with bipartisan support.
 
S.B. 384 accelerates the funding of the CT Baby Bond Trust and makes several clarifying changes to aid in its administration. Democrats and Republicans agree - it will be a proud day for all CT residents when CT Baby Bonds is fully funded and the State Bond Commission allocates the first $100 million for children this July.
 
CT Baby Bonds has become a national model to combat generational poverty and close the racial wealth gap.
 
Sales Tax Free Week
To help put a bit of money back into Connecticut residents' pockets, not only did we recently pass legislation to suspend our state's gas tax and offer free bus service through June 30. The bill also created an Additional Sales Tax Free Week happening this Sunday, April 10 through Saturday, April 16. If your kids are home on spring vacation, this is a great opportunity to save on their spring and summer wardrobe.

During this one-week sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items under $100 will be exempt from Connecticut's sales tax.
 
Check out the list of tax-exempt items here.
 
Legislative Town Hall
Join me, State Representative Christine Conley, and State Representative Joe de la Cruz on Monday, April 18th at 6pm for an update on the 2022 legislative session!
 
The town hall event will take place in the Groton Senior Center music room at 102 Newtown Road. Please RSVP to Cody.Clark@cga.ct.gov
 
Student Loan Pause
This week U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona announced an extension of the pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections through August 31, 2022. The extension provides additional time for borrowers to prepare repayment & will include a “fresh start” on repayment by eliminating the impact of delinquency & default for all borrowers. Click the image below to read more:
 
Legislative Process
Not sure what's next? Here's a breakdown of the process during the legislative session. Learn more here.
 
Unclaimed Property Bill
This month SB 379, the Unclaimed Property bill, was voted unanimously out of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. This bill is the most comprehensive overhaul of the Unclaimed Property Program in decades, and is the only bill being considered this session that will automatically reunite owners with their property valued less than $2,500. I look forward to the passage of this bill by the General Assembly in the coming weeks. Big thanks to Treasurer Shawn Wooden for his hard work to make things happen.
 
Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmed to US Supreme Court
Let me introduce you to Justice Brown Jackson

This is a proud time for our country. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has made history, becoming the first Black woman and the first public defender to be confirmed to the Supreme Court. For the first time in history, four of the nine justices will be women. Judge Jackson navigated the confirmation process with grace and has shown that she is exceptionally qualified for a seat on the nation’s highest court.