PoliticaCT was active this legislative session. Members and board members alike worked to push for our policy priorities and influence legislators.
Below is a rundown of what happened with our priority policies. There was the good, the bad, and sometimes, the ugly.
The Good
- Unconditionally pro-choice and access to full reproductive health care – Passed SB 586 that codified health benefits for women, children, and adolescents mandated by the Affordable Care Act into state law.
- Funding for universal pre-K and funding for childcare – Protected funding for ECE programs. Enhanced Care 4 Kids.
- Sensible gun safety laws – Passed a ban on bump stocks.
- A livable wage – We passed a pay equity bill.
Rep. Robyn Porter, PoliticaCT Board member, led successful passage of Connecticut’s pay equity bill in 2018.
- Collective bargaining – Fought off attempts to weaken collective bargaining in the budget and passed collectively bargained raises for home care workers.
- Criminal justice reforms – A bill prohibiting the shackling of female prisoners who are pregnant was signed into law.
- High-quality public schools – Restored Public School Funding to Towns.
- Environmental protection and equity – Passed legislation with strong renewable energy goals for CT.
- Health care as a right for all people – A strong mental health parity bill passed the Senate. Also, the 10 essential health benefits under the ACA were codified into CT law.
- The right of all people to live free from violence and harassment – Passed a bill to limit dual arrests in domestic violence cases.
- The rights of immigrants including a timely path to citizenship – After 5 years, the legislature passed a bill granting institutional aid to undocumented students.
PoliticaCT Board Members Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey and Sen. Beth Bye work the floor to pass priority legislation.
The Bad
- Could not increase funds for universal pre-K
- Did not pass a ban on ghost guns
- A bill to requiring fair work schedules failed in the Senate
- Failed to pass a captive audience bill to protect workers from coercive meetings that discourage union organizing
- An energy bill with positive provisions also contained language that disadvantages homeowners using solar panels
- A bill for state-based individual health insurance failed in committee
The Ugly
- Despite overwhelming support and thousands of calls and emails to legislators, neither chamber even called for a vote on Paid Family & Medical Leave.
- Lost an ugly confirmation process to seat the first gay chief justice
- Neither the Senate or House called a vote on the $15 minimum wage
- The Time’s Up Act stalled in the House and was not called for a vote
We have more work to do.
Sen. Marilyn Moore: “We entered the session with a collective progressive agenda focused on social justice issues, crafting legislation designed to help raise families out of poverty, reduce economic inequity, and to give relief to families who need to care for their families. Our losses were a function of the makeup of committees and the house and senate. We had some important wins and we will build in that in the next session to strengthen and support families.”