Connecticut Local Politics

Gov. Rell has vetoed six bills this year.

HB 5105 – AN ACT CONCERNING THE MINIMUM WAGE

This bill would have raised the minimum wage to $7.65/hr., and later to $8. The governor vetoed the bill due to concerns about the slowing economy. From her veto message:

We must not lose sight of the integral role that employers play in sustaining our economy, or the fact that, without employers, there are no jobs. It is not a minimum wage increase that will support our families – it is a thriving economy, accomplished through a business-friendly environment with successful employers and reasonably priced consumer goods and services.

The bill passed 106-45 in the House, and 25-11 in the Senate. Both of those margins are by more than 2/3 of each chamber, and includes two GOP crossover votes in the Senate.

Chance of override: Medium

SB 55 – AN ACT CONCERNING THE TIP CREDIT

Like the bill above, this bill would have raised the minimum wage, but in a slightly different way. It would have raised the tip credit employers could recognize for bartenders and waitstaff. It’s basically useless without the provisions set forth in the original minimum wage increase.

The bill passed by near-unanimous margins in both chambers.

Chances of override: High, if minimum wage bill also passes

SB 599 – AN ACT CONCERNING A PRERETIREMENT SPOUSAL BENEFIT UNDER THE STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM

Under this bill, “…the spouse of a member of tier II of the state employees retirement system who dies as a result of cessation of life support within six months of qualifying for retirement benefits [would] receive a preretirement death benefit.” Seems harmless enough. But Gov. Rell thought it was bad policy. From her veto message:

Because this bill potentially undermines the agreements negotiated through collective bargaining and arbitrarily creates a benefit for persons in one pension tier who meet certain very specific criteria, I do not believe that it is consistent with sound public policy.

The measure passed by wide margins in both House and Senate.

Chance of override: This one has slipped by unnoticed, so only if they’re feeling ambitious

SB 678 – AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CABINET

According to CT News Junkie, this bill would have “created a 24-member cabinet to identify funding issues and develop state budget recommendations regarding nonprofit community providers that service about 500,000 individuals with disabilities and other needs.” Rell vetoed the bill because she believed it created an unnecessary level of bureaucracy and cost (the cost part is debatable, apparently).

The bill passed by near-unanimous margins in both houses.

Chances of override: Since someone actually noticed it, probably high

HB 5936 – AN ACT CONCERNING THE GREENWAY COMMONS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IN SOUTHINGTON, THE WAYPOINTE PROJECT IN NORWALK, NAUGATUCK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, DONATION OF OPEN SPACE LAND BY WATER COMPANIES, AND THE AUTHORITY OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS OVER THE WATER QUALITY IN LAKES

You can read a description of this bill, and the reasons for the veto, here. Basically, it was money for redevelopment projects. The projects will probably go ahead just fine without this money. This bill also passed without a single “no” vote in both chambers.

Chances of override: Medium. I know, no one voted against it. But now they’re paying attention, so we’ll see.

HB 5536 – AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIP

This is the famous health care pooling bill. Gov. Rell vetoed it because she didn’t believe it would achieve any cost savings, and insurance carries were threatening to raise the rates. The bill did not pass by a veto-proof margin.

Chances of override: Zero. Better luck next year.

One bill passed into law without her signature (if the governor doesn’t act on a bill, it becomes law without her approval), SB 462 – AN ACT CONCERNING LICENSE RENEWAL FEES FOR PHYSICIANS. This bill had a fiscal note but was passed before the budget situation firmed up.