Connecticut State Senate

Connecticut State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Democrat
Session start:	February 4, 2026
Session end:	May 6, 2026
Term length:	2 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant[1]
Salary:	$43,600/year
Members
Total:	36
Democrats:	25
Republicans:	11
Other:	0
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
President:	Susan Bysiewicz (D)
Maj. Leader:	Bob Duff (D)
Min. Leader:	Stephen Harding Jr. (R)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

The Connecticut State Senate is the upper chamber of the Connecticut General Assembly. Alongside the Connecticut House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Connecticut state government and works alongside the governor of Connecticut to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Connecticut State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Connecticut State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut.

All 36 Connecticut Senate seats are up for election in 2026.

All 36 Connecticut Senate seats were up for election in 2024. The chamber's Democratic majority increased from 24-12 to 25-10 with one vacancy.

Connecticut has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Connecticut State Senate.

• Which party controls the chamber
• The chamber's current membership
• Partisan control of the chamber over time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• A district map
• How redistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list of committees

Party control[edit]

Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Connecticut State Senate as of January 2026:

Members[edit]

Leadership[edit]

The lieutenant governor serves as the presiding officer of the Senate, while the Senate president pro tempore, majority, and minority leaders act as legislative leaders.^[2]

Leadership and members[edit]

• Senate president: Susan Bysiewicz (D)
• Senate president pro tempore: Martin Looney (D)
• Majority leader: Bob Duff (D)
• Minority leader: Stephen Harding Jr. (R)

Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislative salaries, 2025[3]
Salary	Per diem
$43,600/year	No per diem is paid.

Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Connecticut legislators assume office the Wednesday following the first Monday of January after their election.^[4]

Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article III, Section 3 of the Connecticut Constitution states: "The senate shall consist of not less than thirty and not more than fifty members, each of whom shall have attained the age of twenty-one years and be an elector residing in the senatorial district from which he is elected."^[5]

Historical party control[edit]

Democrats won control of the Connecticut State Senate in 1996. In 2024, they won a 25-11 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Connecticut Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Connecticut State Senate election results: 1992-2024

Year	'92	'94	'96	'98	'00	'02	'04	'06	'08	'10	'12	'14	'16	'18	'20	'22	'24
Democrats	20	17	19	19	21	21	24	24	24	23	22	21	18*	23	24	24	25
Republicans	16	19	17	17	15	15	12	12	12	13	14	15	18	13	12	12	11

* Democrats maintained effective control of the chamber because Lieutenant Gov. Nancy Wyman (D) could cast tie-breaking votes

Before 1992[edit]

There were eight elections between 1930 and 2022 where Republicans won control of the state Senate.

Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Connecticut was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 2011-2023
• Republican trifecta: None
• Divided government: 1992-2010

Connecticut Party Control: 1992-2025
Fifteen years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	I	I	I	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
Senate	D	D	D	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
House	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D

Elections[edit]

Elections by year[edit]

Connecticut state senators serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Connecticut holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026[edit]

See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Connecticut State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

2024[edit]

See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the Connecticut State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was August 13, 2024. The filing deadline was June 11, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Connecticut State Senate from 24-12 to 25-11.

Connecticut State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2024	After November 6, 2024
	Democratic Party	24	25
	Republican Party	12	10
	Vacancy	0	1
Total		36	36

2022[edit]

See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the Connecticut State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 9, 2022. The filing deadline was June 7, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Connecticut State Senate from 23-13 to 24-12.

Connecticut State Senate
Party		As of November 8, 2022	After November 9, 2022
	Democratic Party	23	24
	Republican Party	13	12
Total		36	36

2020[edit]

See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Connecticut State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline was June 11, 2020.

In the 2020 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Connecticut State Senate from 22-14 to 24-12.

Connecticut State Senate
Party		As of November 3, 2020	After November 4, 2020
	Democratic Party	22	24
	Republican Party	14	12
Total		36	36

2018[edit]

See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Connecticut State Senate took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on August 14, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 12, 2018.

In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Connecticut State Senate from 18-18 to 23-13.

Connecticut State Senate
Party		As of November 6, 2018	After November 7, 2018
	Democratic Party	18	23
	Republican Party	18	13
Total		36	36

2016[edit]

See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Connecticut State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016. All 36 seats in the Connecticut State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Democrats held a 21-15 majority. Republicans flipped three seats in the election to split the chamber at 18 seats a piece for both Democrats and Republicans. Even though the chamber was tied following the 2016 general election, Democrats did not lose their state government trifecta because Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (D) was the tie-breaker vote in the chamber.

Connecticut State Senate
Party		As of November 7, 2016	After November 8, 2016
	Democratic Party	21	18[6]
	Republican Party	15	18
Total		36	36

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014[edit] See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for the Connecticut State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 12, 2014, and a general election on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 10, 2014. All 36 Senate seats were up for election in 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 22-14 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 21-15 majority. Connecticut State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 22 21      Republican Party 14 15 Total 36 36 2012[edit] See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Connecticut State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 14, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was June 12, 2012. All 36 Senate seats were up for election in 2012. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 22-14 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election. Connecticut State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 22 22      Republican Party 14 14 Total 36 36 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Connecticut State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 13 Dante Bartolomeo 0.7% 39,589 Len Suzio District 7 John A. Kissel 1.2% 43,856 Karen Jamoc District 31 Jason Welch 2.2% 40,139 Dave Roche District 19 Catherine A. Osten 3.1% 38,561 Christopher Coutu District 24 Michael McLachlan 3.4% 35,842 Jason W. Bartlett District 16 Joe Markley 4.4% 43,016 Corky Mazurek District 33 Art Linares 5.4% 49,483 James Crawford District 12 Edward Meyer 6.5% 48,624 Cindy Cartier District 30 Clark J. Chapin 9.8% 43,186 William O. Riiska District 4 Steve Cassano 13% 44,114 Cheri Ann Pelletier District 34 Len Fasano 16.1% 41,960 Steve Fontana 2010[edit] See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Connecticut State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 10, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was June 8, 2010, for candidates of either the Republican or Democratic parties and August 4, 2010, for independents. All 36 Senate seats were up for election in 2010. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 24-12 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 23-13 majority. Connecticut State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 24 23      Republican Party 12 13 Total 36 36 In 2010, the total campaign contributions raised in senate elections was $5,157,062. The top 10 overall contributors were:[7] 2010 Donors, Connecticut State Senate Donor Amount Public Fund $3,631,306 Public Fund $176,895 Public Funding $88,307 Senate Democrats Victory PAC $42,651 Democrats for New Leadership $38,520 Working Families Party $14,853 Democratic Senate Majority PAC of Connecticut $14,150 Senate Republican Campaign Cmte of Connecticut $11,412 Frantz, L Scott $6,500 Senate Republican Majority Cmte of Connecticut $5,195 2008[edit] See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Connecticut State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 12, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. All 36 Senate seats were up for election in 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $5,410,734. The top 10 contributors were:[8] 2008 Donors, Connecticut State Senate Donor Amount Public Fund $4,195,185 Senate Democrats Victory PAC $21,279 Democrats for New Leadership $18,647 House Exploratory Cmte $6,985 Democratic Senate Majority $6,937 Bridgeport Democratic Town Cmte $4,580 Simsbury Democratic Town Cmte $4,393 Connecticut Education Association $3,000 Afscme Council 4 $3,000 Michael Renzullo Senate Campaign $2,543 2006[edit] See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Connecticut State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 8, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. All 36 Senate seats were up for election in 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $4,431,204. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2006 Donors, Connecticut State Senate Donor Amount Senate Republican Vision 21 $145,229 Democrats United $75,720 Lisman, Barbara L $75,020 Connecticut Lawyers for Excellence in Government $74,500 Giordano, Rick $70,000 Cmte for a Democratic Senate Majority $66,250 Schiavone, Craig $60,000 Senate Republican Golf Tournament Fund $56,500 Connecticut Republican Party $46,700 32 GOP PAC $42,000 2004[edit] See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Connecticut State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 10, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. All 36 Senate seats were up for election in 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $4,416,892. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2004 Donors, Connecticut State Senate Donor Amount Ellison, Arlo $200,000 Connecticut Lawyers for Excellence in Government $71,550 Democrats United $69,750 Meyer, Edward & Patricia R $65,000 Aniskovich, William A $50,200 Cmte for a Democratic Senate Majority $45,500 Senate Democrats 2004 $39,200 Diebolt, Mark $36,727 32 GOP PAC $36,600 Democrats for Connecticut $36,000 2002[edit] See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Connecticut State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 10, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. All 36 Senate seats were up for election in 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $3,700,656. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2002 Donors, Connecticut State Senate Donor Amount Democrats in Progress $89,528 Senate Democrats of Connecticut $73,065 Connecticut Lawyers for Excellence in Government $69,750 Senate Republican Golf Tournament Fund $48,500 New Republican Majority Cmte $45,783 People for Leadership $43,508 Fedele, Michael $40,000 Senate Republican Vision 21 $37,499 32 GOP PAC $34,300 Senate Republican Campaign Cmte of Connecticut $25,578 2000[edit] See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Connecticut State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 12, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. All 36 Senate seats were up for election in 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $2,866,237. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2000 Donors, Connecticut State Senate Donor Amount Senate Democrats 2000 $74,750 Connecticut Lawyers for Excellence in Government $70,250 Vision PAC $61,500 New Republican Majority Cmte $59,842 Senate Republican Vision 21 $49,035 Connecticut Republican Party $46,527 People for Excellence in Government $45,600 Democrats in Progress $30,750 Senate Republican Golf Tournament Fund $29,509 Senate Republican Leadership Cmte $28,843

Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Connecticut General Assembly, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. The governor must call for an election no later than 10 days after the vacancy happens. All special elections must be held no later than 46 days after a governor's declaration. If the vacancy occurs between the 125th day and the 49th day before the day of the regular election, the special election will be held on the same day as the general election. If a vacancy occurs after the 49th day before the general election but before the Wednesday following the first Monday of January of the next-succeeding year, the governor shall not call a special election unless the vacant position is that of a member-elect.^[13]

See sources: Connecticut Gen. Stat. § 9-215

District map[edit]

See also: Connecticut state legislative districts

The state of Connecticut has 36 state Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Connecticut

In Connecticut, the state legislature is primarily responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. Maps must be approved by a two-thirds vote in each chamber. If the state legislature is unable to approve new maps, a backup commission is convened to draw congressional and state legislative district boundaries. The commission consists of nine members. The four legislative leaders (i.e., the majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the legislature) appoint two members each. The ninth member is selected by the eight previously selected commissioners.^[14][15]

The Connecticut Constitution requires that all districts, whether congressional or state legislative, be contiguous. In addition, state House districts must "not divide towns except where necessary to comply with other legal requirements."^[16]

2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Connecticut after the 2020 census

The Connecticut Reapportionment Commission voted 8-0 in favor of new maps for the state's 151 House districts and 36 Senate districts on November 18 and November 23, 2021, respectively.^[17][18] The commission, made up of four Democratic lawmakers, four Republican lawmakers, and a ninth member selected by the commissioners, took over the redistricting process after the previous Reapportionment Committee failed to meet its Sept. 15 deadline to select maps and win two-thirds approval from both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly.^[19] Census data was not delivered until Sept. 16. Unlike the committee, maps prepared by the Reapportionment Commission did not need to win approval from the General Assembly.^[20] This map took effect for Connecticut's 2022 legislative elections.

District map after 2020 redistricting[edit]

Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Connecticut after the 2010 census

The U.S. Census Bureau shipped detailed information to Connecticut on March 10, 2011.^[21] The legislature missed its September 15, 2011, deadline for creating new maps for the House and Senate, causing a back-up commission to take over writing the new maps. The redistricting commission approved the House and Senate maps before their November 30, 2011 deadline.^[22][23]

Sessions[edit]

Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Connecticut State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Connecticut by year[edit]

2025[edit]

See also: 2025 Connecticut legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2025, and adjourn on June 4, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024[edit] See also: 2024 Connecticut legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 7, 2024, and adjourn on May 8, 2024. 2023[edit] See also: 2023 Connecticut legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2023, and adjourn on June 7, 2023. 2022[edit] See also: 2022 Connecticut legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 9, 2022, and adjourn on May 4, 2022. 2021[edit] See also: 2021 Connecticut legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2021, and adjourn on June 9, 2021. 2020[edit] See also: 2020 Connecticut legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 5, 2020, and adjourn on May 6, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit] See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Connecticut State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 12, 2020. The suspension was originally scheduled to lift at the end of March. It was then extended to April 13, 2020. It was extended again to April 23, 2020. On April 21, 2020, legislative leaders announced that the legislature would not reconvene in advance of its constitutional adjournment on May 6, 2020. The legislature convened a special session on July 21, 2020. The special session adjourned on July 27, 2020.[24][25][26][27] 2019[edit] See also: 2019 Connecticut legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2019, through June 5, 2019. 2018[edit] See also: 2018 Connecticut legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from February 7, 2018, through May 9, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017[edit] See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 4, 2017, through June 7, 2017. The legislature held a veto session on July 24, 2017. The legislature held its first special session on July 31, 2017. The legislature held its second special session from September 14 to September 16. The legislature held another special session on October 3. State lawmakers held their fourth special session from October 25 to October 26. The legislature met again in special session from November 14 to November 15. Click [show] to read about Connecticut's 2017 budget conflict Background[edit] Gov. Dan Malloy (D) and members of the Connecticut General Assembly failed to reach a budget agreement during the 2017 legislative session, which adjourned on June 7.[28] According to The Connecticut Mirror, House and Senate Democrats were unable to agree on a budget plan ahead of the June 30 deadline, and there was disagreement between the parties. Key issues included tax increases, funding for social programs, and labor relations with the state employees union.[29] On June 30, 2017, Malloy signed an executive order authorizing reduced amounts of government funding in the absence of a budget for fiscal year 2018. This order allowed Connecticut to avoid a shutdown of government services on July 1, the first day of the 2018 fiscal year. Funding for road repairs, state aid for school districts, and nonprofit organizations were reduced under Malloy's executive order.[30] On August 18, 2017, Malloy revised his executive order to change the amounts of the Education Cost Sharing payments that go to school districts. Under his revisions, the 30 lowest-performing school districts saw no change to their cost-sharing payments, 54 districts received reduced payments, and 85 districts received no state payment. The order went into effect in October because no budget was approved.[31][32] Malloy pushed for lawmakers to call a special session before June 30 and pass a 90-day temporary budget. Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz (D) declined the idea, saying that he and the House Democratic Caucus wanted to first see an outline of a two-year budget before agreeing to a temporary budget.[29] Leaders in the Connecticut State Senate, including President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D), were supportive of a 90-day temporary budget.[33] The budget was not passed due to disagreements between Malloy and the General Assembly, disagreements among members of the Democratic caucus, and disagreements between Democratic and Republican legislators.[34] According to The Hartford Courant, House Democrats were divided between a faction trying to prevent cuts to social services and a faction trying to prevent tax increases.[35] When talking about the divisions within the Democratic caucus, State Rep. Vincent Candelora (R) said, "I think everybody in this building realizes a budget cannot pass without Republican support."[36] As of July 6, 2017, Connecticut faced a $5.1 billion budget deficit during the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years. The spending provisions in Malloy's executive order resulted in a $2.1 billion spending reduction during the 2018 fiscal year.[28] On July 31, the General Assembly passed a labor concessions deal negotiated with state employees unions that was designed to save $1.57 billion in fiscal years 2018 and 2019. With the concessions deal approved, the budget deficit decreased from $5.1 billion to $3.5 billion.[37] Timeline of key events[edit] On October 31, Gov. Malloy signed most of the budget that passed on October 26. He vetoed a portion of it dealing with the state's hospital tax, also called a provider fee. The tax was increased from six percent to eight percent in the budget, although the hospitals would have received millions in Medicaid funding from the federal government due to the tax increase. According to Malloy, the wording of the hospital tax contained issues and would have cost the state $1 billion. Malloy said, "I strongly urge my colleagues in the General Assembly to convene as soon as possible to pass a legal alternative to the illegal hospital tax and troublesome supplemental payment and rate language presented in the bill."[38] With Malloy's signature, Connecticut ended a 123-day period without a budget. This was the longest period of the time the state had ever went without a budget. The second-longest period was in 1991 when legislators debated whether to create a state income tax.[38] On November 15, the Connecticut House voted 123-12 to approve a bill that proponents said fixed flaws in the state budget signed on October 31, including a provision dealing with the state's hospital tax. The Connecticut Senate voted 34-0 on November 14 to pass the bill. Gov. Malloy said he would sign the bill into law. Opponents of the budget fix said that it would require towns to assume $8.5 million in costs from a renters’ rebate program and that the costs would not be equitably distributed based on a community's income level.[39][40] On October 26 at around 2:00 AM ET, the Connecticut State Senate passed a budget deal by a 33-3 vote.[41] Later that day, the Connecticut House passed the budget by a 126-23 vote. Both margins were sufficient to override a gubernatorial veto.[42] After the budget passed, Kelly Donnelly, Gov. Malloy's communications director, said that the budget contained an error related to the tax on hospitals that would cost the state $1 billion. Legislative leaders in the state House said that the chamber would reconvene the following week if an issue in the budget needed to be addressed.[43] Here are some of the details of the budget that was agreed to on October 26:[41] Revenue: The budget deal made no changes to Connecticut’s sales or income taxes. It increased the cigarette tax, put a $10 surcharge on motor vehicle registrations, and required a $0.25 fee for Uber and Lyft rides. It also required teachers to contribute one percentage point more toward their pensions and increased the hospital provider fee from six percent to eight percent (although the tax the hospitals pay was reimbursed by the federal government in Medicaid funding). Spending: The budget included up to $40 million to help the city of Hartford avoid bankruptcy. It also restored most of the education and municipal funding that was reduced by the executive order Gov. Malloy used to fund government programs during the stalemate. For the 2018 fiscal year, 136 of 169 municipalities had their education funding decreased by five percent. For the 2019 fiscal year, 88 municipalities had the same amount or less education funding than they did in 2017, while 81 had an increase in funding compared to 2017. The budget included $65 million in cuts per year for the University of Connecticut and it scaled back several tax credits, including the property tax credit and the earned income tax credit. Moreover, it put caps on spending and borrowing by the state and required the state legislature to vote on all state employee union contracts. On October 23, Republican and Democratic leaders announced that they had agreed to the specifics of a budget deal. Senate Republican Minority Leader Leonard Fasano said the deal included some of his party’s priorities such as a cap on spending and borrowing and the establishment of an independent panel to recommend changes to the state’s pension program. The deal also increased the taxes on cigarettes and decreased taxes for Social Security and pension recipients.[44] On October 18, Republican and Democratic legislative leaders announced that they had reached an agreement on the major provisions of a $40 billion two-year budget plan. The deal was negotiated without input from Gov. Malloy.[45] On October 13, Standard & Poor's notified Connecticut that it was changing its outlook for the state's general obligation bonds from stable to negative.[46] On October 16, Moody's Investor Service announced that it was considering credit downgrades for 26 Connecticut municipalities and three regional school districts, all of which saw funding reductions as a result of the budget stalemate. Twenty-five other municipalities and three other regional school districts were assigned negative outlooks.[47][48] On October 3, the Connecticut House chose not to vote on a veto override of the Republican budget plan that passed on September 16.[49] On October 1, education payments to cities and towns were reduced or eliminated under an executive order signed by Gov. Malloy. The funding cuts went into effect because a budget had not been agreed to.[50][51] On October 11, the Connecticut Education Association—the state’s largest teachers’ union—filed a lawsuit claiming that education cuts would prevent schools from providing an adequate education for students. Connecticut’s school funding had previously been challenged in the courts for being too low.[52][53] On September 28, Gov. Malloy vetoed the Republican budget plan that passed on September 16. Senate Republican Minority Leader Fasano called for the General Assembly to override the veto. A veto override requires 101 votes in the state House and 24 votes in the state Senate.[54] On September 16, the Connecticut General Assembly approved a budget plan drawn up by Republican legislators. The budget included $40.7 billion in spending over the FY2018-2019 biennium. Gov. Malloy said he would veto the budget because of its spending reductions for higher education and other state programs. The budget also included changes to relations with state employees labor unions.[55] The budget passed due to defections from Democrats in both chambers who joined with the Republican minority. Their defections came after Malloy and Democratic legislators had apparently reached an agreement on September 14. Their budget plan included new taxes on cell phone bills, vacation homes, hospitals, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and hotel rooms.[56] The Democratic legislators who voted for the Republican plan said the reason they defected was because of tax increases in the Democratic plan. The Connecticut House passed the budget on September 16 at around 3:00 AM EST by a 77-73 vote. Democratic Reps. Pat Boyd, Lonnie Reed, Daniel S. Rovero, John Hampton, and Kim Rose defected from their party.[57] The Connecticut Senate passed the budget on September 15 by a 21-18 vote. Democratic Sens. Paul Doyle, Gayle Slossberg, and Joan Hartley defected from their party. Their defections were unexpected and were not announced prior to a floor speech by Doyle where he said he would vote for the Republican plan.[58] Labor relations[edit] On July 31, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a labor concessions deal that was negotiated with state employees unions. The concessions deal was designed to save $1.57 billion in the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years. The Connecticut State Senate passed the deal on July 31. The chamber vote split 18-18 with all Democrats in favor and all Republicans opposed. Lieutenant Gov. Nancy Wyman (D) cast a tie-breaking vote to pass the deal.[59] The Connecticut House passed the deal on July 24 by a 78-72 vote, with all Republicans and Democrat John Hampton opposed.[60] The concessions package was announced in June 2017 by Gov. Malloy and state employee union leaders. It amended the existing labor agreement by extending its end date from 2022 to 2027 and achieving $1.57 billion in savings in the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years. The provisions in the agreement that increased savings included a three-year wage freeze for some state employees and increased contributions for health and pension benefits.[29] On July 18, unions announced that rank-and-file members approved the concessions package by a margin of 83 percent to 17 percent. Concessions packages can be approved by the General Assembly, although it is not required for them to take effect. If a concessions deal is not approved by the General Assembly, it goes into effect the following year.[61][62][63] According to The Hartford Courant, Republican legislators proposed a plan with $2 billion in savings for the state in the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years.[61] Republican leaders expressed interest in changes to collective bargaining and other ways that state employees were compensated. House Republican minority leader Themis Klarides said that the state should end collective bargaining and instead allow the General Assembly to craft wages and benefits for state employees.[64] Senate Republican minority leader Leonard Fasano said that the state would save money by changing aspects of collective bargaining, eliminating two state holidays, and prohibiting meal and clothing allowances.[65] Compensation levels for members of state employee labor unions in Connecticut, including wages, pensions, and health benefits, were reached through collective bargaining. As of January 2017, about two-thirds of government workers in Connecticut, including teachers, professors, and prison guards, belonged to a labor union.[66] 2016[edit] See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from February 3 through May 4. The legislature held a special session from May 12-13 to pass the state budget. 2015[edit] See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 7 through June 3. The legislature held a two-day special session from June 29 to June 30. The legislature held a one-day special session on December 8. Major issues in 2015[edit] Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included a projected state budget deficit, transportation infrastructure, job expansion, lowering electricity costs for consumers, and domestic violence restraining orders.[67] 2014[edit] See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from February 5 to May 7. Major issues in 2014[edit] Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included the biennial state budget, gun control, mental health, police training, and creating the Office of Early Childhood.[68] 2013[edit] See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 9 to June 5. Major issues in 2013[edit] Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included restrictions on gun ownership, an increase to the minimum wage, labels on genetically modified foods, and the ability for illegal immigrants to apply for driver's licenses.[69] 2012[edit] See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from February 8 to May 9. 2011[edit] See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 5 through June 8. Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy (D) convened both houses in a special session to address budget cuts on June 30.[70] Session highlights[edit] Tax increases[edit] During the 2011 legislative session, the legislature passed $1.5 billion worth of tax increases strongly pushed by Governor Dan Malloy (D) to help close a budget gap estimated at $3.3 billion. Individual and corporate income tax rates rose, along with inheritance, alcohol, cigarette, and gasoline levies. Additionally, the retail sales tax rate rose from 6% to 6.35%. The Republican legislative minority strongly criticized Malloy and Democratic leaders, calling their plan a "massive and unnecessary tax hike."[71] 2010[edit] See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from February 3rd to May 5th.

About legislative sessions in Connecticut[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[72] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article III of the Connecticut Constitution establishes when the Connecticut State Legislature, which the Senate is a part of, is to be in session. Section 2 of Article III states that, in odd-numbered years, the Legislature shall convene its regular session on the Wednesday after the first Monday in January. Section 2 requires regular sessions in odd-numbered years to adjourn by the Wednesday after the first Monday in June.

The Constitution does not establish when the Legislature is supposed to meet in even-numbered years, so these dates are established by law. In even-numbered years, the Legislature convenes on the Wednesday following the first Monday in February, pending the decision of the Legislature, and it must adjourn by the Wednesday after the first Monday in May.^[73][74]

Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, and procedures for filling membership vacancies.

Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Connecticut are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 101 of the 151 members in the Connecticut House of Representatives and 24 of the 36 members in the Connecticut State Senate. Connecticut is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

According to Article III, Section 2 of the Connecticut Constitution, any bill that the governor vetoes after the legislature adjourns or that was vetoed during the session but not taken up by the legislature can be overridden at an automatic veto session called by the secretary of state. The automatic veto session occurs two weeks after the governor's bill signing period ends.

Authority: Article IV, Section 15 of the Connecticut Constitution.

"If the governor shall approve a bill, he shall sign and transmit it to the secretary of the state, but if he shall disapprove, he shall transmit it to the secretary with his objections, and the secretary shall thereupon return the bill with the governor's objections to the house in which it originated. After the objections shall have been entered on its journal, such house shall proceed to reconsider the bill. If, after such reconsideration, that house shall again pass it, but by the approval of at least two-thirds of its members, it shall be sent with the objections to the other house, which shall also reconsider it. If approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the second house, it shall be a law and be transmitted to the secretary; but in such case the votes of each house shall be determined by yeas and nays and the names of the members voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively."

Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Connecticut state budget and finances

Connecticut on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[75]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in July.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor in September.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in February.
4. The legislature adopts a budget in May or June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins on July 1.

Connecticut is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.^[75][76]

The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget. Likewise, the legislature must adopt a balanced budget.^[75]

Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in Connecticut state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. Unique among the 50 state legislatures, in Connecticut, all legislative committees are joint committees of the upper house and lower house. Permanent committees are authorized and required by state statute to be continued each session. No separate chamber committees are established. The Connecticut General Assembly has 26 joint committees:

Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Connecticut Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article XII and Article XIII of the Connecticut Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Connecticut

The Connecticut Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Connecticut requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments. Connecticut does not feature the power of initiative for either initiated constitutional amendments or initiated state statutes.

Legislature[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

In Connecticut, a constitutional amendment can be referred to the ballot after one legislative session or two legislative sessions depending on the vote count.

When an amendment receives a 75% vote in both legislative chambers, the amendment goes on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 114 votes in the Connecticut House of Representatives and 27 votes in the Connecticut State Senate, assuming no vacancies.

When an amendment receives a simple majority vote in both legislative chambers, the amendment must pass during two successive legislative sessions to go on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 76 votes in the Connecticut House of Representatives and 19 votes in the Connecticut State Senate, assuming no vacancies.

Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention[edit]

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to Article XIII of the Connecticut Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years starting in 1978. Connecticut is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.

The table below shows the last and next automatic constitutional convention question election years:

State	Interval	Last question on the ballot	Next question on the ballot
Connecticut	20 years	2008	2028

The Legislature can also refer a constitutional convention question to the ballot. A two-thirds vote is required in each legislative chamber to refer a convention question to the ballot.

Proposals adopted at a state constitutional convention require voter approval.

See also[edit]

Elections	Connecticut State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Connecticut State Senate elections, 2026 Connecticut State Senate elections, 2024 Connecticut State Senate elections, 2022 Connecticut State Senate elections, 2020 Connecticut State Senate elections, 2018	Connecticut General Assembly Connecticut House of Representatives Governor of Connecticut Connecticut Supreme Court	State legislative elections: 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links[edit]

• Connecticut General Assembly

Footnotes[edit]

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