Gov. Dannel P. Malloy vetoed two bills Thursday, siding with municipalities on one that would have allowed 100-percent property tax breaks in perpetuity for non-profit and for-profit arts entities. The other would have enhanced legislative oversight over economic-development incentives, and Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo called that veto “deeply troubling.”
Session Notes
Posted inNews
Malloy vetoes first bill of 2016
The first bill vetoed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in 2016 is Senate Bill 302, An Act Concerning the Impact of Proposed Regulations on Small Businesses. In a veto message delivered Tuesday, Malloy said he supports the concept, but the bill was overly broad and burdensome to state agencies.
Posted inHealth
Malloy signs medical marijuana for minors bill
The measure takes effect Oct. 1 and would apply to minors with one of five medical conditions. They must have permission from two doctors and a parent or guardian.
Posted inNews
LOB is evacuated after power strip catches fire
The Legislative Office Building was evacuated Tuesday after a power strip in a legislator’s office overheated and caught fire, Capitol police said. Chief Walter Lee quickly extinguished the fire, but employees were being kept out of the building while the electrical system was checked for damage, police said.
Posted inPolitics
Derek Slap seeks return to Capitol as a House member
The number of retirements among House Democrats has reached 11 with a decision by Rep. Brian Becker, D-West Hartford, not seek a fourth term representing parts of West Hartford, Avon and Farmington. Democrats have found a potential successor: Derek Slap, the former chief of staff for the Senate Democrats who now is the associate vice president of external relations for the UConn Foundation.
Posted inEducation, Money
How does your town fare under the state budget deal?
State funding to help cities and towns operate public schools is hit hard in the budget deal Democratic legislators are set to approve this week. It’s a mixed bag for the other grants towns receive to help cover non-education related expenses. Curious how your city or town fares? Here’s a look.
Posted inPolitics
New Haven’s Megna won’t run, becomes 21st to exit legislature
Rep. Robert W. Megna, D-New Haven, who adopted a consumer advocate’s role as co-chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, added his name Saturday to the list of legislators who will not seek re-election to the General Assembly this fall.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Constitutional amendment fails to make November ballot
A constitutional amendment barring the disposal of state-owned land without a public hearing and legislative approval fell short Wednesday of the margin necessary to be placed on the November ballot.
Posted inPolitics
Notifying legislators of special sessions goes electronic
Legislators would be able to be notified of special sessions via email under legislation that won final passage in the state Senate Wednesday.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Opioid bill wins unanimous approval in Senate
The bill would limit initial opioid prescriptions for acute medical conditions to a seven-day supply, and aims to ensure that more first responders carry drugs that can reverse the effects of an overdose.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
New Britain water bill passes, with a little help in the House
Legislation authorizing a study of gravel mining on watershed land owned by the New Britain Water Company appeared to fail Monday night in the House of Representatives, but the roll call machine was left open until sufficient votes flipped to pass the measure, 73 to 70.
Posted inJustice
Domestic violence bill wins final passage in Senate
The Connecticut Senate voted 23 to 13 Monday for final passage of a bill proposed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy that will require gun owners to surrender their firearms within 24 hours of being served with a temporary restraining order in domestic violence cases.
Posted inEducation
House votes to rename Governor’s Scholarship after retiring rep
The state House of Representatives tipped its collective hat Saturday to Rep. Robert B. Willis, D-Salisbury, voting to rename a scholarship program after the retiring lawmaker. The House unanimously approved a measure that renames the Governor’s Scholarship Program in Willis’ honor.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
House blocks bill prompted by Niagara, MDC bottling issue
Sen. Beth Bye, D-West Hartford, conceded the failure Thursday of an effort to pass a bill that would have regulated but not prohibit a plan by Niagara Bottling to bottle up to 1.8 million gallons of Metropolitan District Commission water a day in Bloomfield.
Posted inPolitics
Rep. Geraldo Reyes, Jr. takes office — just in time for budget mess
Geraldo Reyes Jr., the winner of a special election Tuesday, took the oath of office Thursday as the state representative from the 75th House District of Waterbury, arriving in time help make difficult budget choices.