Obstruction Time Again

An amendment literally no one voted for

It's the second to last week of the legislative session and per usual that means Republicans are going to try to do everything they can to filibuster and delay the work of the legislature to prevent as many laws as possible, even ones they say they like, from passing before the session ends. They'll be adding endless amendments to bills that attempt to defang regulations, address non sequitur concerns, smear striking workers as layabouts and librarians as pornographers, harass trans children, give tax breaks to their moneyed contributor base, and transform bills with net positive material impact into studies about whether it makes financial sense to help people. These amendments will go nowhere because actual adults are thankfully still in charge, but unfortunately you'll be hearing about how Connecticut is a liberal cesspool for years to come thanks to the damage they're trying to inflict.

Our reps are busy chattering on about how local control is more vital than getting people into affordable housing and the invented "fiscal guardrails" are more important than education funding. They're talking to the press to mock bills they ultimately vote in favor of. Cicarella continues to try to whip people into a frenzy using anecdotal stories about how we are "soft on crime" despite all the evidence that crime (particularly violent crime) is down in Connecticut (and nationwide). 

Cicarella, like Yaccarino before him, rejected a number of criminal justice reforms, including expansions of the Trust Act that make ICE more accountable to local law enforcement. Cicarella also joined his Republican colleague in rejecting the opportunity to hold the gun industry responsible for the products they sell. Yaccarino, like Cicarella before him, rejected a series of consumer protections against price-gouging, hidden fees, and privacy violations.  

Cicarella said no to unemployment benefits for workers on strike over 2 weeks, proving his allegiance to bosses over workers. However, while union-busting Republicans will certainly continue to vote against this in the house, the greatest threat to this bill comes from millionaire governor Ned Lamont who may veto it. Cicarella also voted against an equitable pay structure for non-profits contracted to do state work and against a couple worker protections suggested by the labor department. 

On the plus side, the special education bill HB-5001 passed the house unanimously. Yaccarino also supported an amended version of a bill to build municipal climate resiliency and limit the use of some toxic pesticides, which he had previously voted against on the finance committee. Both Cicarella and Yaccarino both bucked many in their party in rejecting private prisons in CT. Credit where it's due. 

There's only 3 more full days left and for those working or lobbying up in the Capitol, it's going to be a long couple days. As we continue to advocate for what we need here in North Haven to our legislators, let's also reflect on whether we've chosen the most effective messengers for those needs.