EGryk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Connecticut legislative session is heading into its final three weeks. Here's an overview of some of the action up in Hartford.

The governor and Democratic majority have proposed budgets that violate CT’s Fiscal Guardrails. 

Republican delegates Sen. Ryan Fazio and Rep. Tina Courpas know that a fiscally responsible budget can be achieved — not by slashing human services but by stopping the profligate growth of state government. 

As just one example, government employees have received a 33% pay increase since 2019. We could save $330 million by simply freezing these wages for two years. 

Hartford Democrats Never Stop Trying to Seize Control of Local Zoning.

Many bills have already passed out of Committee that are aimed at increasing affordable housing in CT through state-imposed, unfunded mandates or otherwise usurping local control. 

Sen. Ryan Fazio and Rep. Tina Courpas oppose the neighborhood-destroying “Fair Share” and “Transit Oriented Development” bills. Courpas authored a version of a HB 7031 that gives Greenwich credit for accessory dwelling units (in-law cottages) under the onerous 8-30g law. That Bill has cleared Committee for the first time!

Democrats never learn that taxing high earners drives them out of state.

Your Republican delegates are a strong voice against SB 1246, a bill to increase the capital gains rate for Connecticut's highest tax bracket.

Many residents who work in financial services receive their compensation in the form of capital gains. Bills like this one drive these citizens out of Connecticut as they seek tax relief in other states — with the end result that our state loses that revenue forever.

Democrats block common-sense public safety measures.

Rep. Tina Courpas supported House legislation to restore police officers' ability — with the consent of the citizen —to search vehicles upon reasonable suspicion that they contained contraband guns or drugs. This reasonable, common-sense police action was the law up until 2020 and was a key tool in removing illegal contraband from CT’s streets. Sadly, Democrats defeated this measure in the House.

Let's fund our children's education the right way.

Rep. Tina Courpas spent considerable time this session on both special and general education reform. She advocated forcefully for increased focus on educational outcomes and increased and reliable funding for special education.Meanwhile, Democrats prefer to rely on gimmicks and violate the Fiscal Guardrails.

Making sure minors have access to contraception.

The House recently passed a bill, HB 7213, which would clarify that in Connecticut, minors may have access to contraception without their parents’ notification or consent. Rep. Tina Courpas, who is pro-choice, supports all efforts to prevent unwanted pregnancies in our state, and was pleased to vote "yes" on this Bill.