The Capitol Beat

The Capitol Beat Gaffney, Bennett, and Associates May 7, 2014 As promised at the outset of this election-year legislative session, there were relatively few prolonged, controversial floor debates. Among the noteworthy measures that were approved were: a revised $18.9 billion 2015 budget-tax package, and a $1 billion bond package, both voted on last Saturday. But one of the most striking things about the 2014 session was how many lawmakers have opted to retire or run for higher office: 16 members in the House and 6 in the Senate (including Republican Minority Leader John McKinney who is seeking the nomination to run against Governor Malloy in November). In fact, a good portion of the final day of session in the House and Senate was dedicated to bon voyage speeches, laced with quotes from George Bernard Shaw and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Following is a list of members who have announced plans to move upward or onward: HOUSE Republicans: Penny Bacchiochi, R-Somers, running Lt. Governor; Larry Cafero, R-Norwalk; Marilyn Giuliano, R-Old Saybrook; Debra Lee Hovey, R- Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield, running for Sen. John McKinney’s Senate seat; Pam Sawyer, R-Bolton; Stephen Walko, R-Greenwich; Sean Williams, R-Watertown. Democrats: Don Clemons, D-Bridgeport; Mae Flexer, D-Danielson, running for seat being vacated by Don Williams; Tim Larson, D-East Hartford, running for seat being vacated by Sen. Gary LeBeau; Geoff Luxenberg, D-Manchester; Steve Mikutel, D-Griswold; Sandy Nafis, D- Newington; Betsy Ritter, D-Quaker Hill, running for Senate seat being vacated by Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford; and Pat Widlitz, D-Guilford. SENATE Republicans: John McKinney, R-Fairfield, seeking Republican nomination to challenge Governor Dannel Malloy; and Jason Welch, R-Bristol. Democrats: Gary LeBeau, D-Broad Brook; Ed Meyer, D-Guilford; Andrea Stilllman, D- Waterford; and Don Williams, Jr., D-Brooklyn. Winners and Losers In keeping with our informal custom at the end of each legislative session, we have compiled our partial list of bills that passed and bills that were left on the cutting room floor. Note: Over the next few weeks we will be preparing more comprehensive final reports. All Those in Favor… APRN—A measure, years in the making, that will allow Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) the ability to independently treat patients – a move meant to help with an anticipated shortage of primary care physicians. Budget implementation—Implements provisions of the 2015 revised budget and incorporates other initiatives that were in jeopardy of dying of inaction, including provisions: establishing a prospective, pro-rated judicial pension program for eligible judges who work till at least 60 years of age; establishing a study of the state tax structure, and many more items. Cadmium in Jewelry Task Force—Establishes a task force to study the threshold at which cadmium is safe in children's jewelry. E-Cigarettes—Prohibits the sale of electronic cigarettes and other devices to minors. Electricity Supplier “Consumers’ Bill of Rights”—Seeks to prevent deceptive marketing practices and lack of disclosure about rates and contract terms in Connecticut’s electric supplier market. Hospital-based Facility Fees—A compromise between the Connecticut Hospital Association and the Attorney General will require notification of additional facility fees charged by these organizations. Moratorium on Fracking Waste Disposal—Places a three-year moratorium on disposal of fracking waste while the state develops regulations to govern such practices. Hospital Conversions— Expands Certificates of Need requirements to include transfers of ownership of a group practice of eight or more physicians to any entity other than a physician or group of physicians, with an exemption in FY 15, among other things. Minimum Wage Increase—The first Public Act signed into law this session was a bill increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 by 2017. Nursing Home Transparency—This bill gets the award for inspiring the longest debate of the session. It requires contractors that do more than $50,000 of business with any of the state’s 154 for-profit nursing homes to share their profit and loss statements with the state to enable assessment of the financial health of these facilities. Recycling Initiative –Restructures the Connecticut trash-to-energy authority and renames it the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority, which will focus on recycling, reuse and reduction of solid waste, and recovery of valuable commodities in the waste stream. UTC Aerospace—The bill will allow exchange of approximately $20 million per year of previously earned but unused tax credits to finance construction, of new headquarters, training, R&D and engineering facilities, up to a maximum of $400 million. The exchanges credits will be offset with the tax reductions over a 14-year period, with the final amount based on the company’s level of jobs, wages, and investments. Not-so-Vicious Horses—Clarifies that domesticated horses are not wild or inherently dangerous or vicious. All Those Opposed… Chemicals of Concern—Imposed onerous requirements for toxic chemical reporting. GMO-Free Grass Seed Bill—Prohibited selling distributing, marketing, using or planting lawn or turf seed that is even partially genetically engineered. Labeling of Food Products Containing BPA-Failed in Public Health Committee. Keno Gaming—Dropped as a potential revenue raiser. Reverse PILOT—Died of inaction. Would have required hospitals and colleges to pay taxes on a phased in basis. Long-term Unemployment Discrimination--Died of inaction on Senate calendar. Immigrant Worker Retaliation—Imposed additional restrictions on employers to prevent intimidation and retaliation of immigrant employees. .

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