DeLauro seeks vote on DHS funding — without ICE

It’s Day 35 of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, and airports are feeling the effects with hourslong security lines.

That puts pressure on Congress to find a path forward. Both parties blame each other for TSA workers going without paychecks.

Senate Republicans set up a vote Friday on DHS funding, which is expected to fail. In the House, Rep. Rosa DeLauro is trying to force a vote to fund all of DHS except for ICE and Border Patrol. That’s also unlikely to move forward.

But an end could be in sight: Senate leaders are threatening to cancel an upcoming recess and negotiations on ICE reforms are slowly picking up.

— Lisa Hagen, Federal Policy Reporter

Bills increasing ECS formula advance

The Education Committee has advanced two bills to increase Connecticut’s core school funding grant with bipartisan support.

House Bill 5002 and Senate Bill 7 both raise the Education Cost Sharing Formula’s foundation amount, which last increased in 2013. Many municipalities say they’ve had to raise property taxes to manage inflation and other costs since.

Rep. Maryam Khan, D-Windsor, raised concerns about a provision of H.B. 5002 freeing schools to use a special education grant she helped design to pay for third-party services, which she said was not the intent. An amendment to change that provision failed by a vote of 15-18.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter

Tong argues against Aquarion sale

Attorney General William Tong took the unusual step on Monday of showing up, in person, to argue before Public Utilities Regulatory Authority against the proposed sale of the Aquarion Water Company.

Tong has been a steadfast critic of the $2.4 billion sale, arguing it would saddle Aquarion’s customers with new transaction costs for decades. He repeatedly urged PURA to reject the sale — as regulators initially did in November before having that decision overturned in court.

“The court’s decision has changed nothing,” Tong said. “The court did not take PURA’s power away.”

— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter

Eviction reform gains governor’s support

Gov. Ned Lamont will support a proposal that would require landlords to offer a reason when they evict tenants, largely ending no-fault or lapse-of-time evictions.

Advocates announced the governor’s support of the bill during a press conference Tuesday. Democrats spoke about their support of the measure, promising to get it passed this year. The bill has failed in past sessions.

Landlord groups oppose the measure, saying it would make it harder to evict nuisance tenants.

— Ginny Monk, Housing & Children’s Issues Reporter

Expanding long-term care living options

The state’s Department of Social Services would offer more home and community-based living options under a bill passed this week by the Human Services Committee.

Beginning in July, the social services commissioner would amend Connecticut’s long-term care plan to increase opportunities for Medicaid recipients and people with limited income who do not qualify for Medicaid to receive care at home or in a community-based setting. That would include more outreach by state officials to people eligible for the Connecticut Home Care Program for the Elderly and other Medicaid waiver programs.

The bill would also establish a long-term care planning committee to study ways to expand home and community-based options. The group must report its findings to the legislature by Dec. 1. 

— Jenna Carlesso, Investigative Reporter

Research grants for universities

Democratic lawmakers voted Thursday to advance a bill setting aside $50 million to support research that is unable to secure federal funding.

Rep. Gregg Haddad, D-Mansfield, said UConn had lost $53 million in terminated federal grants and non-renewals for research. The bill develops a commission that would decide what research projects would be funded. Haddad said research that would not receive funding from Washington would be prioritized.

But Rep. Seth Bronko, R-Naugatuck, said he did not support adding $50 million in the second year of a two-year budget.

— Emilia Otte, Justice Reporter

Change to out-of-school suspensions

A bill that would end out-of-school suspensions for nonviolent behavior is one step closer to passage after clearing the Education Committee Monday.

The language is similar to what advocates called for in February. Advocates argued such suspensions foster resentment and disconnect and drastically reduce students’ chances of graduating.

Currently, schools can give out-of-school suspensions for “a disruption of the educational process,” which advocates say is far too broad. The new bill replaces that language with text limiting out-of-school suspensions to violent behavior, sexual misconduct or possession of a weapon or controlled substance.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter

More changes to towing law advance

The Transportation Committee on Monday passed a bill that would change the way towed vehicles are sold in Connecticut.

House Bill 5465 passed with bipartisan support and next heads to the House. The bill allows all vehicles, regardless of value, to be sold after 30 days. Previously, the sales process for lower-cost vehicles could begin after 15 days, or 45 days for more expensive vehicles.

Last year, the legislature passed a towing reform bill following an investigation from The Connecticut Mirror and ProPublica that examined towing practices in Connecticut. This year’s bill builds on that work.

— Ginny Monk, Housing & Children’s Issues Reporter

Micro-transit bill advances

State lawmakers on Monday advanced legislation providing a one-year, $9 million lifeline for a budding number of microtransit ride-hailing services in Connecticut.

The legislation, Senate Bill 9, is intended to extend the two-year pilot program that was launched by the Department of Transportation in 2024. The program provides funding for nine microtransit programs, and is set to expire in June.

Microtransit services operate similarly to Uber or Lyft, but at steeply discounted prices due to state subsidies. S.B. 9 was advanced by the Transportation Committee by a vote of 34-4.

— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter

Cellphones, then tech?

“Spoiler alert: If I’m fortunate enough to be back next session, I look forward to tackling ed tech.”

That was Education Committee co-Chair Rep. Jennifer Leeper, D-Fairfield, during discussion of two bills that would ban cellphones during the school day. She was responding to a comment from Rep. Kevin Brown, D-Vernon, that education technology can also be a major source of distraction in the classroom.

High school students speaking with CT Mirror have questioned the usefulness of banning cellphones when they say devices like Chromebooks can access many of the same apps and websites.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter

Tax credits for paid internships

Lawmakers voted Thursday to advance a bill providing tax credits to businesses and grants to nonprofits that offer paid internships to students.

Rep. Gregg Haddad, D-Mansfield, said students who have quality work-based internships are more likely to find future employment. He said that a paid internship was particularly valuable for low-income students. The state will also be required to review the possibility of providing paid internships in government.

“Not only are we creating the opportunities for students to get real workforce experience … we are also providing incentives for businesses,” said Rep. Seth Bronko, R-Naugatuck.

— Emilia Otte, Justice Reporter

Labor celebrates new warehouse workers law

Union members, state lawmakers and other officials joined Gov. Ned Lamont on Tuesday to celebrate the passage of warehouse worker protections in Senate Bill 298, an emergency measure that sped through the Legislature last month.

“This bill is for workers who don’t have protection, who had to worry about losing their job,” said Teamsters Local 443 Secretary-Treasurer Salvatore Abate.

The warehouse worker provisions included in the emergency bill prompted objections from Republican lawmakers and business groups who argued that the controversial measure, which has failed for years, bypassed the legislative process. The bill ultimately cleared both chambers and was signed into law in early March.

— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter

Health care oversight in DOC

The Government Oversight Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill designed to improve health care oversight in the Department of Correction. The bill requires the department to create a plan for its health care program to become accredited by a national organization.

The department will be required to create an electronic tracking system for medication distribution, and an electronic system for incarcerated people to request medical care. It also requires the department to give a report to lawmakers on these metrics. Lawmakers expressed concern about a recent report from the state auditors that showed medication distributions in DOC were delayed about 10% of the time.

— Emilia Otte, Justice Reporter

Committee wants more attention on state tourism

As it nears the finish line on passing bills this session, the Commerce Committee says it is returning to a longstanding priority: more support for tourism in Connecticut.

On Tuesday the committee voted to advance Senate Bill 305, which would create a working group to study current state marketing and tourism programs and their effectiveness. The committee also voted in favor of House Bill 5243, which allows the Department of Economic and Community Development to use the proceeds from state bond sales to support economic development in the “greater Mystic” area, including Groton and Stonington. The region is a key part of state tourism efforts.

— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter

Solar bill a work in progress

Work is ongoing to craft legislation creating successors to Connecticut’s existing residential and commercial solar programs, lawmakers said Thursday.

Both solar programs — along with a community renewable energy program — are due to expire at the end of 2027. Democrats want to continue all three programs, which they argue have successfully spurred the development of solar systems throughout the state.

But Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, said that legislation establishing successor programs, H.B. 5340, still needs work to address concerns about rising costs. The unfinished bill was passed by the Energy and Technology Committee Thursday on a party-line vote.

— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter

DECD asks for financial cap flexibility

In the months since the Trump administration announced a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, state businesses and research centers have worried about the future of key parts of the Connecticut economy.

Amid the uncertainty, the Commerce Committee voted this week to advance House Bill 5244. The bill would increase the Department of Economic and Community Development’s financial assistance cap from $10 million to $25 million. DECD hopes the change, which won’t increase agency spending, will allow it to provide more support to large business projects and assist companies struggling to hire H-1B workers.

— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter

Prison visits

Correction officers told lawmakers on Wednesday that a bill requiring incarcerated people be allowed at least three visits per week would put additional burdens on an already understaffed workforce.

“This bill expands visitation, expands communication, expands movement, but it does not expand staffing, funding, or changing the infrastructure,” said Ashley Collins, chief steward with AFSCME Local 391.

Currently, incarcerated people receive two in-person visits and one video visit per week. Robert Beamon, president of the union, said there are currently 600 openings for correction officers. He attributed this to low pay, burnout from overtime and an increased length of time until they can retire.

— Emilia Otte, Justice Reporter

Lawmakers ditch ban on gas lawn equipment

A proposal to ban gas-powered leaf blowers beginning in 2030 was left blowing in the wind Wednesday, after lawmakers heard heavy opposition to the idea.

Nearly 150 people submitted testimony against the legislation, Senate Bill 319, which would have also limited the use of gas–powered lawn equipment on state property. Instead, lawmakers opted to move forward with a slimmed-down bill allowing the Connecticut Green Bank to offer loans incentivizing the purchase of battery-powered lawn equipment.

“I don’t think we’re ready for a ban, but we do want to keep moving the needle,” said Sen. Rick Lopes, D-New Britain.

— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter

Lawmakers, Lamont find common ground at CBIA event

State leaders took a quick break from the legislature session on Wednesday to join hundreds of local entrepreneurs and business owners for Business Day, an annual event organized by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.

The event included discussion of various legislative proposals, including AI legislation, expanding R&D tax credits and reducing business spending on employee health coverage. The event ended with a short speech from Gov. Ned Lamont, who also highlighted his administration’s efforts to help businesses.

 “I need you guys to believe in the state as much as I do,” Lamont said. “You’re our best salespeople, and I need the business community on board.”

— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter

School funding cuts are cut

Gov. Ned Lamont’s plan to cut $12 million in magnet school funding and raise tuition costs for school districts might be dead. The proposed language was cut from House Bill 5033 before it moved to the Appropriations Committee.

The state Department of Education had told the Education Committee that Lamont’s change would create a “sustainability model” for magnets. Magnet operators, local schools and legislators weren’t convinced.

Currently, magnets cannot raise tuition on local districts and state dollars are capped, leaving them effectively flat funded. The legislature had wanted the state to take over magnet funding, but the transition remains unfinished.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter

Reading bill is revised

Reading advocates liked the intent behind Senate Bill 220. They just didn’t think it would work.

Based on their feedback, Education Committee lawmakers revised the bill, which provides intervention for students grades four through nine who are behind on reading. Gone are the individual reading plans for every struggling student, which advocates said would be too burdensome. Instead, schools will implement a multi-tiered system of support via grants from the state Department of Education.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter

Should student athletes skip PE?

The normal lines of partisanship contorted in a vote on a bill allowing high school athletes to skip physical education classes.

Senate Bill 222 cleared the Education Committee 34-12, with most Republicans in favor and several Democrats opposed. The bill, amended after public comment, allows districts to exempt students from PE if they do an afterschool sport. The sport doesn’t count as a credit, meaning students still have to take another class in the newly freed-up slot.

Rep. Maryam Khan, D-Windsor, worried students would miss important pieces of physical education curriculum, while Rep. Robin Comey, D-Branford, raised concerns about equity. Both voted no.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter

Pay for student teachers proposed

A bill to pay student teachers cleared the Education Committee on a party-line vote, 30-16.

Student teachers do not get paid, and advocates have long said cost is a major barrier to entering the profession. House Bill 5216 seeks to change that: under it, anyone enrolled in a teacher preparation program would get $1,000 per week, up to $10,000. To keep the money, they would have to stay in Connecticut for three years after graduating.

Republicans worried recouping money from teachers who leave the state early would be impossible and raised concerns about the cost.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter