Sen. Martin Looney

Maddy summaryThis resolution approves a pre-existing arbitration award between Connecticut's Judicial Branch and three employee unions (SEIU Local 2001, IBPO Local 731, and AFT/AFT-CT). The agreement, retroactive to July 1, 2025, includes a 2.5% general wage increase, annual increments, and lump-sum payments for judicial employees. It will cost approximately $8.07 million in fiscal year 2026 and $8.60 million in fiscal year 2027, affecting all covered bargaining units. The resolution requires legislative approval per state law but does not create new policy.

Maddy summarySB 102 redirects an additional 1% sales tax on meals sold by restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores to the specific municipalities where the sales occur. The bill requires that this tax revenue, collected from food purchases at these businesses, be distributed directly to the local governments (cities or towns) where the transactions happened. This changes how the tax revenue is allocated, shifting it from a state-level pool to the communities generating the income. The policy directly affects eateries, caterers, grocery stores, and the municipalities receiving the redistributed funds.

Maddy summarySB 101 would create a new statewide property tax on residential properties valued over $3 million. It sets three tax rates based on property value: 0.2% (2 mills) for homes worth $3-5 million, 0.3% (3 mills) for $5-10 million properties, and 0.4% (4 mills) for homes valued at $10 million or more. This tax would apply uniformly across the state to qualifying high-value residential properties, directly affecting owners of such homes. The bill specifies the tax rates but does not detail how the revenue would be allocated.

Maddy summarySB 114 eliminates income limits that currently restrict who can deduct Social Security benefits from their state personal income tax. It directly affects all Social Security benefit recipients in the state who pay income tax, removing the previous requirement that their total income must fall below specific thresholds to qualify for the deduction. The bill amends Section 12-701 of the general statutes to remove these qualifying income thresholds entirely. This change means anyone receiving Social Security benefits would automatically qualify for the tax deduction regardless of their total income level. The policy change simplifies the deduction process for eligible taxpayers without altering the deduction amount itself.

Maddy summarySB 104 would impose a 1.75% surcharge on net gains from selling capital assets (like stocks or real estate) for Connecticut taxpayers with adjusted gross income meeting the threshold for the state's highest and second-highest marginal tax brackets. It directly affects high-income earners whose income level triggers the top tax rates under current law. The surcharge applies only to capital gains, not ordinary income, and is calculated as a percentage of the net gain from qualifying sales. This is a specific tax rate change affecting a defined income group, not a broad policy overhaul.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a refundable child tax credit for families with up to three children, starting at $150 per child in 2026 and increasing to $600 per child by 2028. It phases out for higher-income households: single filers over $100,000, heads of household over $160,000, and married couples filing jointly over $200,000 (reducing by 5% for every $1,000 over these thresholds). The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families receive it even if they owe no income tax. It directly affects low-to-moderate income families with children under age 18.

Maddy summaryHB 5207 requires the state to fully fund the Special Education and Expansion Development Grant for public schools during the 2027 fiscal year. It amends state law to ensure complete state funding for this grant, which supports special education programs and school expansion initiatives. The bill directly affects school districts that receive this grant, guaranteeing consistent financial support for these services. This policy change specifies full funding without altering program requirements or adding new provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 5100 allocates $3.1 million to continue Connecticut’s microtransit pilot program through June 2027, with the full amount designated for services in New Haven. The funding supports existing on-demand transit services that provide flexible, shared rides in the city, directly benefiting New Haven residents who rely on this transportation option. It does not alter the program’s structure but ensures its continuation by providing dedicated financial support to the Department of Transportation. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, focused on maintaining current transit access.

Maddy summaryHB 8002 creates a tax-advantaged savings program to help Connecticut first-time homebuyers. It allows individuals or couples to open "first-time homebuyer savings accounts" at financial institutions, with funds contributed by anyone (including employers) to cover eligible costs like down payments and closing costs for a primary residence. Account holders must submit tax returns with account details to claim a state tax deduction or credit, and funds must be used exclusively for qualifying home purchases. The program applies only to one-to-four family residences purchased as primary homes in Connecticut, effective January 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 8003 temporarily adjusts the state's budget reserve fund to allocate new funds covering reductions in federal funding. It directly affects state agencies and programs that rely on federal grants, ensuring continued operations despite decreased federal support. The bill authorizes the use of reserve funds to maintain essential services without requiring new tax revenue or spending cuts. This legislation became law as Special Act 25-1 after the governor signed it on November 18, 2025.