Hillside Strategies, LLC

Defying a likely override, Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday vetoed a bipartisan $40 million supplemental special-education appropriation rushed through the General Assembly during his absence from Connecticut last week, as well as $2.88 million in partisan grants for nonprofits targeted by the Trump administration. https://lnkd.in/ejvVyNBt

A special election will be held Tuesday for two General Assembly seats vacated in January. Republican state Rep. Jason Perillo, of Shelton, will face off against Democrat Tony Afriyie, of Stratford, in the 21st Senate District and Groton City Councilman Dan Gaiewsk, a Democrat, will face off against Groton Economic Development Commission Chairman Robert Boris, a Republican, in the 40th House District. https://lnkd.in/eu_PNFt2

A tense public hearing Thursday on the renomination of Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Chair Marissa Gillett exposed the divisions between lawmakers over the state’s approach to energy regulation. The hearing followed reports of a late-night deal brokered by the Lamont administration to secure Gillett’s reappointment while also restructuring PURA as a quasi-public agency, moving it outside the Executive Branch. https://lnkd.in/egHD-ARt

The last biennial budget Gov. Ned Lamont will propose before committing to reelection or retirement came with a speech Wednesday that looked back on Connecticut’s fiscal turnaround and ahead to the continuing challenge of relieving financial burdens on a struggling working class. Lamont, 71, a Democrat who has governed from the political center on taxes and spending, invited legislators of both parties to celebrate their role in a string of budget surpluses unimagined when he took office six years ago, then outlined a path of continued prudence, tinged with pragmatism. “For many years, governors would stand at this dais, confronted with a recession for which we were totally unprepared,” Lamont told lawmakers at midday. “Today, we are much better prepared to manage the unexpected — within reason — thanks to all of you.” https://lnkd.in/e8_fSHts

Every year, the Office of Legislative Research (OLR) identifies and provides brief descriptions of important issues the General Assembly may face in the upcoming session. This report does not represent staff suggestions or recommendations. The office identifies issues based on interim studies; research requests; non-confidential discussions with legislators, other legislative participants, and executive branch agencies; as well as our general subject matter knowledge. They also consult with the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) and the Legislative Commissioners’ Office (LCO) when selecting issues. The report is organized according to the committee that has primary jurisdiction over an issue. Because more than one committee may consider aspects of the same issue, descriptions may overlap. Where appropriate, they provide links to OLR reports and other documents that contain additional information.. https://lnkd.in/euzjDHXr

Ringing in a new year means new laws will go into effect in Connecticut. Here’s what you should know about some of the new laws going into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.. https://lnkd.in/ek2RqFJZ

Eight of the 26 existing joint committees of the Connecticut General Assembly will be getting new House co-chairs when the 2025 session opens on Jan. 8, a 27th committee will be created, and the jurisdiction of other panels will be revised. House Speaker Matt Ritter of Hartford and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas of East Hartford, the leaders of a Democratic caucus that won a 102-49 majority in November, finalized their leadership choices Thursday. https://lnkd.in/e4AJmcAB

Gov. Ned Lamont said Tuesday he is in no rush to decide if he will seek a third term in office, stating that he will wait until the end of the 2025 legislative session to decide… https://lnkd.in/eGXfnN7s

The presidency, a U.S. Senate seat, all five congressional seats, all 187 seats of the General Assembly and a constitutional amendment allowing the universal use of absentee ballots were on the ballot in Connecticut. More than 740,000 people were drawn by the novelty of the state’s first experience with early in-person voting. In total, Connecticut saw a voter turnout of roughly 74% of its residents! While we saw a red wave nationally, Connecticut stayed blue with democrats holding on to the US Senate, all five congressional seats, and their super majority in the state House and Senate! The House was able to pick up 4 seats bringing their majority to 102 democrats compared to 49 republicans. A similar victory was declared by the Senate Majority with the democrats able to gain one seat out of the 4 targeted races. This brings the makeup of the Senate to 25 democrats to 11 republicans..