Posted on May 16, 2022
Connecticut has a biennial budget process. This means we set a two-year budget for the state, so there really should be no need for budget discussions in the short session. In practice, this “budget adjustments” year was just as intense and crazy as last year when we were putting together the two-year budget.
The budget adjustment is related to FY23 only. The $24.2 billion state budget document dropped at 4 a.m. on Monday with a scheduled vote later that day. Not a lot of time to digest 484 sections…
Posted on May 3, 2022
As we approach the end of the session, I am delighted to host a follow-up Town Hall with Dr. Harvey Risch, who so generously answered so many of our questions at a previous Zoom. This time, we will be joined by a panel, that includes Dr. Risch, Dr. Peter A. McCullough and Dr. Kelly Victory.
Hope to see you on Monday, May 9th at 8 p.m.
Please register below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUodOuupz0tGt3fhuMURCMNz_GQ3bBByLzb
Posted on May 3, 2022
This bill codifies into law the following mandate that in 18 years, by Jan 1, 2040, Connecticut will be powered by zero carbon electricity supply.
The proponent said we are close to contracting all of CT electricity to zero carbon providers with our state’s first offshore wind farm coming online in 2024 and continued trading of carbon credits. And it was also said in debate that we have missed the statutory mandate of being at 10% below carbon levels emitted in 1990. It’s not clear to me how both…
Posted on May 3, 2022
This bill is a price control bill. It says “no policy…shall impose a coinsurance, copayment, deductible, or other out-of-pocket expense for the epinephrine cartridge injector…in an amount that is greater than $25.” The immediate outcome for the consumer is a $25 price, but that is not the whole story.
The cost gets apportioned to the employer’s claims experience and that claims experience dictates the increases to the employer premium, meaning premiums will rise for all of us. Price controls do NOT…
Posted on May 3, 2022
HB 5505 is more corporate welfare. It picks winners and losers when it comes to who gets tax incentives and who doesn’t in Connecticut. Winner today: One major defense contractor. Loser: Other Connecticut business owners who don’t get such deals.
Corporate welfare is irresistible for politicians. Again, remember Henry Hazlitt’s One Lesson in Economics. Even if Sikorsky has suppliers who are helped, bottom line, corporate welfare is a special deal for special interests. It needs to stop. We need broad…
Posted on April 25, 2022
HARTFORD – State Sen. Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott) today repeated his original request to the state’s Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani to provide clarification to college and university administrators on the immunization ‘grandfather’ clause for public school students with religious exemptions that are now entering institutions of higher education. This clause is included in Public Act No. 21-6, signed into law in April 2021.
“Unfortunately, due to conflicting [administrator] interpretations…
Posted on April 25, 2022
This past week was busy at the Capitol. There were many bills in front of us. Here are a few I’d like to highlight for you:
UNIONIZED STATE EMPLOYEES CONTRACT
This four-year package of raises for about 46,000 unionized state employees passed the House, 96 Yeas to 52 Nays. This contract is retroactive to July 1, 2021 and includes 2.5% general wage increases for the next two fiscal years, as well as step hikes for most senior workers.
All full-time workers will receive a $2,500 bonus this May, and…
Posted on April 13, 2022
If you didn’t get chance to join us this past Thursday for our conversation with Dr. Steve Perry and Nathen Jensen, I welcome you to listen to a recording where we discuss “Double Funding” in our state.
We had a fantastic Q&A with attendees and I hope you’ll listen to the whole conversation (apologies for any sound issues).
Here’s a link to the recording:
And the access passcode, which…
Posted on April 13, 2022
I hope you saw this opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal on our Governor’s negotiations with the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition, SEBAC, and what it portends for taxpayers. Bonuses and pay raises are on the horizon for state employees and could cost taxpayers millions in the long term.
Also, see this article from the Connecticut Business & Industry Association about the projected increases.
The legislature will decide whether to accept or reject that contract and you can let lawmakers…
Posted on April 6, 2022
Thank you to Parkway Elementary School for a wonderful afternoon of reading together. I was delighted to join the students in reading a play together and read them a book I absolutely adore that helps children envision their own size in comparison to the massive scale of the universe, “Your Place in the Universe” by Jason Chin.