AT THE CAPITOL
The legislature began this year’s session on Wednesday, with most members in chambers. Governor Lamont presented his legislative proposals and budget adjustments during his state of the state address to the General Assembly. These proposals and adjustments specifically cover the state budget, gun violence, crime, insurance, medical costs, and opioid litigation. Committee meetings began virtually on Thursday. Public hearings will begin this week through Zoom meetings.
There was a lengthy discussion in the House regarding the extension of executive orders specifically dealing with COVID-19 and the wearing of masks. On Monday, February 14, 2022, the state Senate voted to extend some of the governor’s executive orders, including the statewide mask mandate for schools and childcare centers.
Two Republican state senators, Sen. Craig Miner (R-30 Litchfield County) and Sen. Dan Champagne (R35-Tolland) have announced they will not be running for reelection in fall of 2022. So far, four of the current 13 Republican senators have announced they will be retiring after the current session. Rep. Joe de la Cruz of New London (D-41) has also announced that he will not be running for reelection this fall.
LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
The calendar of the legislature is available daily for committee meetings and public hearings. View the daily calendar with committee agendas, attend virtual committee meetings, hear the discussion, and note the process.
This week, a Judiciary Committee public hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 16 at 10:00 a.m. over Zoom and YouTube for the governor’s renomination of judges who have served on the bench for eight years.
PUBLIC HEARINGS, DAILY BILLS, AND INFORMATIONAL FORUMS
Hearings and forums for this week are in the Daily Bulletin on the Connecticut General Assembly website’s homepage.
The Appropriations Committee will hold state agency budget presentations from Wednesday, February 16 through Thursday, February 24 over Zoom. Separate bulletin notices for public hearings will be published with links to an online registration form for each public hearing. The state agency presentations can be viewed via YouTube Live. In addition, some state agency presentations may be recorded and broadcast live on ct-n.com.
Legislator committee assignments are here.