11 key issues for Connecticut legislature in 2021 include marijuana, sports betting and affordable housing
The
Here are 11 of the most significant issues the
Pulling back Lamont’s executive powers
In September, a special bipartisan committee extended Gov. Ned Lamont’s executive powers until
Rebuilding the cities
With aid to cities and towns comprising such a large part of the state budget, the question remains what the legislature will do to help rebuild Connecticut’s cities — where arts organizations, theaters, restaurants, commercial office spaces and retail shops have been decimated by the coronavirus pandemic.
While many towns saw a massive influx of homebuyers, urban centers that rely on commercial office buildings as an important part of their tax base may see those spaces take a hit that lasts for years.
“Connecticut has for decades been too reliant on the property tax,” said
Bronin said there are many different ways to build more diverse revenue streams for municipalities. “If you look at almost any one of the 49 other states, you’re likely to find a model,” he said.
Budget
State officials are trying to close a projected deficit of
Taxes
While liberals have pushed strongly for a so-called millionaires’ tax on the state’s wealthiest residents, Lamont has repeatedly pushed back — saying he doesn’t want to raise taxes on anyone when the state has “the wind at its back.” If Lamont draws a sharp line in the sand on the millionaires’ tax, the
Racial justice and zoning
In the wake of the
Recreational marijuana
After failing repeatedly for the past five years, advocates say they have the best chance yet for approving the legalization of recreational marijuana because
Sports betting
Transportation
Neither Lamont nor the legislature seem to have the political appetite for the highly controversial issue of electronic highway tolls. Ritter says he believes it’s in the category of “asked and answered” — a legal phrase that an issue has been discussed and settled.
Vaccinations
In February — just a month before the COVID-19 shutdown in
Public option for health care
The legislature has been unable to pass significant health care reform, but supporters say this is the year for action. Lawmakers were defeated by Connecticut’s powerful insurance industry lobby in 2019, but reform advocates now say the coronavirus pandemic — which has left tens of thousands without jobs or health insurance — brings new urgency to the issue, as policymakers also want to end racial disparities in health care coverage that have worsened during the pandemic.
Criminal justice reform
Lawmakers have lacked the votes to allow free phone calls for prisoners, but
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