• Even more gambling on your desktop & cell phone plus sports betting (not CT NCAA CT or UCONN football or basketball. Online keno & online lottery.
• Access to original birth certificates.
• Marijuana legal.
• Deception in pregnancy centers.
• Financial incentive for data centers.
• "Safety" around ice cream trucks.
•  Nursing home patients' rights to include virtual visits.
• Sexual misconduct on college campus.
• Black & Latino studies in school curriculum.
• Tasers allows for those over 21.
• Increased broadband across the state.
  

REAPPORTIONMENT IN CONNECTICUT 2021

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TheGerry-mander.jpg


NEXT STEP IN RE-APPORTIONMENT
Meetings and Public Hearings over, deadline missed (again - same in 2021) - now what?


Re-Apportionment Committee PUBLIC HEARING NEWS
September 14, 2021 at 7pm on Zoom is the test case for Internet help in reaching public - see above article for report!



CT REDISTRICTING POST U.S. CENSUS DATA RELEASE:

Sports betting, online gaming approved by C.G.A.- read here why first B.I.A. must approve
Legalized "pot coming to a boil" - as the saying goes, as of 10am Wednesday May 26, 2021.  This one might end up in Special Session (just our opinion).  "Early Voting" approved by both House & Senate - awaits signature of Governor before before the two step process of changing the Constitution begins in 2022 (second vote in 2024, we think).


34 year old Speaker of the House, second from the right...

THE CAR TAX...SB1105.  This agenda was a 2-pager...began at 9am and san out of gas before property tax and car tax could make it to the floor.
PREVIOUSLY...
It is now time for machinations:  Watch out for "strike all and replace" - it is like a shell game.   In addition here comes redistribution via wheels and shell games.







THE BIENNIAL BUDGET AND A BUDGET DEAL IN CONCEPT REACHED 6-5-21.  HOUSE BI-PARTISAN Biennial BUDGET PASSES - on to Senate today, June 9, 2021...passes bipartisan vote (4 "no").

CT MIRROR MAKES SENSE OF IT ALL: 
Appropriations (c) made commitments. Speaker (r) to push House Budget thru...and COURANT does a great job too!!!

APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MONDAY May 24, 2021 at 10am.  We are watching to see shat happens to Education Bill SB288.  So far I am confused...I think they merged a couple...

Money for free from Appropriations Committee??? 
And a thoughtful note on CT fiscal position:  https://ctmirror.org/2021/03/10/lamonts-budget-would-borrow-nearly-220-million-to-pay-off-borrowing/
Long term care workers rally - CTNEWSJUNKIE

GOVERNOR SIGNED THIS PRO-FARM BILL:  https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/ACT/PA/PDF/2021PA-00016-R00HB-06503-PA.PDF

GOVERNOR IS STANDING FIRM AT END OF SESSION ON NO TAX INCREASE PROMISE..." legal weed to get a vote this Session...3 days left...both House & Senate must act on final bill...
LEGAL WEED IN THE WEEDS AS SUBSTITUTE FOR INCOME SOURCE FOR CITIES?  Just my thought...

Governor's

BOTTLE BILL
COURANT explains that "nips" get 5% tax returned to towns to clean up the trash too small to fit in "return" machines for now...

BEACH ACCESS TAKES A BACK SEAT?
And what is the schedule?  Dates?  How does a bill become a law?  Hint:  JF deadline approaching fast (3-22-21).
All actions take place online and via Zoom which encourages public input, believe it...

WATCH THE LEGISLATURE MONDAY MARCH 15 (Planning&Development Committee) L-R

• Westport P&Z testifies and wants no manditory language in Section 6.  Three hours in. 
  
• Sara Bronin...makes "racist" accusation against Westport. 
  
• And then at 3:30pm she acknowledges that Westport P&Z is actually very liberal. 
  
• Sen. Anwar states the zoning is racist. 
  
• Rep. Thomas (143) says it won't all work in Norwalk.

THE SENATE CIRCLE

Special Session Wednesday July 14, 2021 at 9:30am in Senate.  Here is the call:  https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/agn/pdf/2021AGN00714-R01-AGN.pdf

"Senate will convene shortly" at 9:44am - don't hold your breath.  After 11am in Session.  19-16 1 absent.

SENATE SESSION 6-17-21 at 9:30am...second bite

LEGAL POT DEBATE - SB1201


Previously approved by Senate 19-17 in Long Session...amendment "A" corrected question of legislators who profit immediately by their vote on the bill...



Pot Bill debate - Senator Looney compares marijuana now to Prohibition
Can't wait to see the Implementer...somehow I think this will not available and loaded with formerly dead bills or parts of others...now 1:20pm7 ', nothing doing yet...at 3:41pm approximately, it started...3:41pms (search for "rats" over)...
sSB1201 legalizing pot debate.  Roll call on 'A' - 26-4 (absent).  On to Amendment 'B' which may have passed...6:34pm; vote on underlying bill plus 'A' & maybe 'B'

IMPLEMENTER SAYS REMOTE MEETINGS TO CONTINUE AS THEY WERE IN APRIL 2020...at least that is what I heard.

1. Can't wait for questions plus an amendment coming..standing at ease @7pm.  "This is a clean up edit amendment."  So she says...we'll see!  Sen. Hartley in the Chair. 
   
2. I was thinking that if this Implementer is like some others of yore, they are checking a more than 300 page document...so if their checking it over for correction/typos, and then the Minority has to go thru it, how long do you think this will take?  22,000 lines. 544 sections.  832 pages. 
   
3. "It's obnoxious."   "...contractual agreements with other states" without legislative review. 
   
4. Line 9823...
5. Sen. Osten apologizes to Sen. Miner for not calling him during the weekend...8:25pm.

Compensate private sector with social impact bonds.

 
PATTING THEMSELVES ON THE BACK...Roll Call 1202 as amended by 'A'  23-7 (6 absent).   Transmit to House @8:30pm.

Senate scheduled for 11:30am - biggest job to approve biennial budget...12:25pm and "will convene shortly"

...3pm...HB6689 - the Biennial budget.  Thorough explanation in Senate on this last day of the Session...there will be a Special Session.

Tuesday June 8, 2021 at 12 noon for Senate after the dramatic Session day yesterday...and oops moment - how did the insertion of named grower get into the bill the Senate passed 19-17?

Monday June 7, 2021 Senate Session...at 11am...make that 2:12pm.



HB6666 - DPH works with PH Committee.  Both Parties support this.  Only one "no."
HB6441 - 7:03pm...Climate Change;
HB6646 - 7:47pm discussion on Crumbling Foundations...only 3 "no" votes...we'll see what happens in the rest of the night...into Tuesday: 
https://www.thehour.com/news/article/State-Senate-readies-for-debate-on-legalizing-16231003.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CT_HR_MorningBriefing&sid=5ba858bc3f92a454704f9a55

AND THIS - NOW SENATOR MILLER!  https://www.thehour.com/news/article/A-historic-first-for-the-state-Senate-in-race-and-16227588.php?src=nwkhpdesecp


Senate Friday June 4th at 12 noon...SB363 pregnancy centers...Amendment 'A' - asks for deeper definition of "pregnancy centers."  Amendment pails Party line.  We assume the underlying bill will pass.  SB1059 - solitary confinement loosened. 3:23pm.  Sen. Cicerella describes "block" situation.  Bill passes...

HOUR report on CGA Friday:  https://www.thehour.com/news/article/Bills-advance-on-civil-rights-solitary-16226175.php?src=nwkhpdesecp

WE ARE WATCHING RE-RUN OF sHB6107 FOR 4 HR DEBATE -'A' inserts local control/home rule into the picture, defeated Party line then on the underlying bill - "no" vote Sen. Hartley (D) 22-13. 
If you are wondering, Sen. Bradley of Bridgeport did not vote.  The debate lasted four hours - 4:09 to 8:19 - on re-play. 

SESSION DAY begins at 11am, Thursday May 13, 2021 - which was referenced as another question "must reveal" had adjourned to...12:45pm nothing doing yet...1:15pm, "to begin shortly" - Nope!  Everyone was at the forum on redistricting, maybe?  Just wondering - where is "transparency"?  ...signs of life at 3:06pm!  Time of Session minus "standing at ease" was 9hrs and 19 minutes.


sSB975 - long-term rights introduced by Sen. Miller.
Amendment approved on a voice vote.  Isolation during pandemic.  Placed on consent calendar.


SB908 'A' - Labor Committee mandating info to union.
Creating with conflict of another statute.  Quotes from AG re: another bill.  So 2 laws not simpatico.  Which takes precedence? Hack threat - municipality threatened?  Technical?  Roll call on 'A' -  we note that Sen. Needleman (r) is a First Selectman of Essex and was absent.

Debate now on underlying bill plus 'A' - we are leaving at this point (4:34pm)...debate 'B' and 'C' fails by Party line.  Now 'D' along Party lines.  Theme is freedom v. force - giving employee, giving taxpayers choice.  'E' conflicts with final section - union can use it, but not members individuality.  Does not call 'F' - not so sure we truly know what will happen...reminder that this bill benefits only unions.  Not individuals.

Sen. Champagne:  Every line reviewed...we are putting CGA on mute so we can participate in a local Weston meeting of the Lachat Town Farm Commission - will update as best we can...

VOTE: 

Senate Session April 28, 2021, 12pm...we missed yesterday's Session Day.


S.B. 1039
We tuned in @3pm to hear bill about modernizing business communications.  Roll call:  34-2.


SB954 - amended, Higher Ed. Committee. 
Closes a loophole to save lives overseas and homeland colleges.  Roll call:  35-1

Lots of bills on "consent calendar" next...3:40pm.  Standing at ease...


S.B.152 as amended...fuel oil deliveries can now be done by e-mail.  So it seems that the Senate is getting rid of bipartisan bills early in the Session...still going at 4:47pm, S.B. 1008.  Pulse oximeter for blood = - misreading by skin color.

Senate Session parallels House SESSION.

SPECIAL SESSION IN SENATE OCT. 1, 2020 AT 11AM - not yet (it is 11:30am now) - we'll keep track to see if anything different happens here...

It is the judges still at 2:09pm.  Over by 2:30pm.  And now the second Special Session begins!

At 4:20pm I was able to watch the debate and vote.


(L) In favor because it sets measurable standards.  Not finished yet...at 6:06pm roll call vote unan. and now at 8:23pm, Transfer Act bill called (R)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE PEOPLE'S BODY - THE HOUSE

House goes into caucus mode Tuesday 6-8-21 at @10am. 

ON INSTANT WE FOUND OUT WHY - A QUESTION OF ETHICS.

https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2021/06/08/house-gop-digs-heels-in-on-cannabis-as-speaker-eyes-special-session/?utm_source=CTNewsJunkie%20Main%20List%20With%20Publication%20Groups&utm_campaign=2251932a4c-MCP_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a493d2308d-2251932a4c-95953073

WE GOT ON TIME TO HEAR Democrat info on the Session last three (or more) days...quickening.

HOUR report on all CGA stuff Friday:  https://www.thehour.com/news/article/Bills-advance-on-civil-rights-solitary-16226175.php?src=nwkhpdesecp



SB920 'A' Public Private Partnership...

HB6587

...tuning in at 11:26am for the announcement of GOP caucus...sSB2 at 12:55pm..."social and emotional learning" part of public questions.

sSB1 in part - RACISM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS - BIPARTISAN YES.

sHB6655

;  voting by Absentee without Constitutional Amendment; budget, clean slate, SB1, etc. to come - TCI-airpollution in budget - gas shortages, SPECIAL SESSION?  Zoom???
--------------

HB6205

HB6205 -

3 bills combined...We tuned in for insurance bills/re-insurance...some questions 11:15am.  As amended, Unan.  136-0 - 15 absent.  Republican caucus at 11:34am...sHB6621 underway 1:10pm...

sHB6107 Accessory apartments (2:16pm) - "matter of right" does not mean local rules are not in prime spot - (actually what Weston does now as of right if conditions are met) same thing here, according to Chair. of P&D.  Cluster standards???  Don't know.  (we had to go 2:20pm).  We're back at 3:19pm!  Apartment permits still going strong!  Pre-existing non-conforming use allowed to increase non conformity - no variance required in this substituteHB6107.  Health code for over use of septic systems?  Still able to act to protect environment (septic system in this case).  Jan. 1, 2023 opt out of get dumped on.  Affordable housing and accessory apartments - got to be deed restricted.  Who is going to monitor it being affordable???  8-30g to culprit.  ZEO not held liable to make sure apartments are affordable ("arbitrary & capricious").  Mandatory  training isn't really mandatory.  TOP DOWN OR BOTTOM UP?  Air-B&B?  Attack on zoning commissions.  5:04pm we're back!  Downtown Chaplin CT - an example of 169 towns.  Vote on Dubitsky' amendment Party line.

e can't imagine what the vote will be...Hughes "Yes"

HB6451 - Gaming - online.  Passes - 22 no votes.

sHB6501

P.S.A. answering points.  Looks like taskforce '22 and action'23.  127-21 (?) bipartisan.

HB6355 'A' - guns tightening up - looks bipartisan...93-55


HB6491 - stun guns close up (Taser up to 15 feet) "electronic defense weapon" - 'A' - date of effectiveness, can't taken in automobile.  Unan...we took a break, it is now 4pm...

SB753 - Amendment on redistricting?  This is the bill will not use U.S. Census?  Voting by incarcerated persons by where the lived previous to incarceration ("last known address")???  Department of Corrections to track data???  Just a comment by moi - this is a fraud on meaning of "residence").  Bill is a mess, IMHO.  However, it passes on a strict Party line vote.  92-51

Yada yada...caucus...big one coming up? 1:46pm, still in caucus (I think it was1pm when they went into recess...) back in 2:20pm

H.J.R.371 - State Plan of C&D 2018-2023
Would this this affect local towns.  Move the process along...not unanimous.  133-14.

HB6645 - next Plan:  'A' clarification of the whole mess.
Voice vote on amendment...unan.  Then we got a call and missed the next (Party line vote)...standing at ease...


HBB6665 - restrictive covenants and race on marriage license out of records.  'A' - Condo as amendment included - voice vote "aye."


H.J.R. 58 - "no excuse absentee voting"
Applications for absentee ballot sent out by Sec'y of the State - rejected previously (2015).  Voter rolls not up to date, no ID required.  No way to figure out who signed absentee ballots.  'A' - nope.


'B' - another one - absentee ballot needs check - no unsolicited ballots mailed out.  53-95.  'C' 53-95;  'D' - bipartisan?  Debate.  Drum roll...3/4 to put it on the ballot one shot - nope.  104-44. 
On ballot in November (I could be wrong - COURANT suggested this might have to wait until next Session in 2022) but also this simple majority needs next legislature (on ballot in 2024) to confirm...8:11pm.

Liiving Organ Donors Discrimination (amendments)...Rep. Hughes in favor.  Unan.  4PM and then...

And here comes some debate...we will be be watch local 4-ring circus so we'll let you know tomorrow! 

May 4, 2021 began 12 noon.  We tuned in, Rep. Mushinsky had the gavel...all these are bills with no opposition.  Twelve hours plus...

...Senate Bill 892 (@1:50pm unanimous, sent to Governor;  receiver ship bill next:  sHB6356, unanimous. HB6579 next:  Unan.  To Senate.  H.J.R. 50 next - Rep. Godfrey (r) explains this.  Unan. next to Senate...2:30pm.  As mentioned above, this one is a "political ploy."

HOUSE SESSION March 25, 2021
Public Health and Civil Preparedness Emergency powers

HB6672 - Emergency Certification

• Amendment 'A' - LCO6072 Rep. Perillo (2/3 vote).  D'Agostino says it is right to modify but not now and this is different.   Lack of respect by Governor for Republicans.  In the end, Party line.
• After dinner, more amendments...
• Unanimous agreement to extend out-door dining until Fall of 2022.
  
• And then it was over after 6pm..
  

Still going on at 4:41pm...we'll pick up after dinner...5:52pm...Special Session 9-30-20

SPECIAL SESSION ongoing...first, appointments.   House on Wednesday, Senate on Thursday.

7001 - Transfer Act (Rep. Simmons brings it out from Commerce)  - speeds up clean up, discussion about environment.  Bipartisan.  VOTE:  Unanimous.

7003 - Hemp.  Federal rules changed and while they were at it. people used info to steal product - no more announcing locations of farms - unan. 143-0...


Tribute to outgoing Minority Leader and Speaker Joe.  Both of whom will not be back.


After dinner...the disaster bill.  What disaster - many different kinds.

ABSENTEE BALLOT COUNTING MODIFICATION:  From COURANT - sorry, don't have bill #
"...The most time-consuming process for absentee ballots is opening two separate envelopes and then flattening out the ballots so that they can be placed into an electronic machine in the same way that voters place their ballots in the machine when voting in person. The outer envelope could now be opened in the four days before the election, and officials would make sure that the inner envelope had been signed to verify the vote. The inner envelope with the actual ballot would not be opened until election day."





7006 - Everything including the kitchen sink with be put on the power company.   Microgrids, resilience grants.  Rate increases.  Too big. 

Next Long Session he will ask for investigation for real solutions.  Why "may?" and more piling on Eversource.   "Break It Up" is the cry.

it is 8:30pm and it is obvious that 7006 will pass - but another better bill/study will be developed in the Long Session 2021. 

NOTE:  136 - 4 after a 3 1/2 hour debate.

Not SB1024 - sHB6107 - the is was the one:  https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2021/05/20/affordable-housing-bill-passes-with-questionable-impact/?utm_source=CTNewsJunkie%20Main%20List%20With%20Publication%20Groups&utm_campaign=eed9982169-MCP_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a493d2308d-eed9982169-95953073

Article
https://ctmirror.org/2021/03/18/many-ideas-but-little-agreement-on-how-to-address-connecticuts-affordable-housing-issues/


Housing Committee as well as Planning & Development
Senator Hwang on Housing (Ranking Member) and on P&D in 2021.  He ran a Zoom on Land Use and Zoning Legislation impacting local communities on Youtube now
And now we know where the Woodbridge zoning challenge came from:  https://ctmirror.org/2021/05/06/woodbridge-zoning-multi-family-housing/

AN ACT CONCERNING TOURISM.  Introduced by the Commerce Committee

To (1) allow two or more municipalities in any regional tourism district to jointly appoint one representative to the regional tourism district boards of directors, and (2) require that a representative of the Connecticut Tourism Coalition be a member of the Connecticut Tourism Council.  Not the Tourism Caucus.

CT MIRROR article 6-3-21 measuring COVID-19 vaccination rate with socioeconomic indicators:  https://ctmirror.org/2021/06/03/dividing-lines-socioeconomic-boundaries-vaccine-rates-connecticut-svi/
PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE:  RACISM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS:  https://ctmirror.org/2021/06/01/house-passes-bill-declaring-racism-a-public-health-crisis-in-connecticut/


INDOOR AIR QUALITY BILL FOR SCHOOLS originated in the Public Health Committee but was referred to the Education Committee to set up assistance to schools for have clean air and not contributing to COVID problem.
sSB288
This bill has been around for years but suddenly discovered its purpose!!!  "Tools for Schools" program now includes this need.  State Department of Education to make it work...

AN ACT CONCERNING SAFE DRINKING WATER.

To require (1) water companies to provide drinking water to consumers in the event of a water main break or loss of system pressure; (2) small community water systems to prepare capacity implementation plans; and (3) bottlers to test approved water sources for unregulated contaminants and report such results to the department.