Rep. Kokoruda Prepares For 2020 Legislative Session

From a news release submitted by Rep. Noreen Kokoruda :

HARTFORD – The 2020 legislative session of the Connecticut General Assembly commenced on Wednesday in Hartford, and State Rep. Noreen Kokoruda (R-101) released the following statement about her priorities and vision for the year:

"As we head into a new legislative session, I am hopeful that we can find common ground on some of the most pervasive issues facing the state, including issues with our transportation infrastructure, the Special Transportation Fund, and the state budget. In order for us to move Connecticut forward and restore confidence in our government, we must tackle these issues head on—without imposing new taxes that hinder growth and increase the cost of living. I look forward to working with Governor Lamont and my colleagues in the legislature to get this done."

Governor Ned Lamont also delivered his state of the state address to a joint session of the House and Senate Wednesday. His priority remains passing truck-only tolling legislation and legalizing marijuana. The marijuana proposal includes nearly $300,000 in spending for staff and other related expenditures.

Rep. Kokoruda, who has worked against the legalization of retail marijuana, said, "I continue to stand with the Madison Youth and Family Services Department in their opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana. This is a matter of public safety for our kids that we should not take lightly or pass in haste just for extra revenue."

Gov. Lamont also asked the legislature on Wednesday to consider passing legislation that would legalize sports betting, a practice that numerous states have already adopted. This, says Rep. Kokoruda, is common sense legislation that should have bipartisan support, but it must be structured carefully to ensure the state maximizes the benefits it reaps.

In total, the governor's $22.3 billion one-year budget plan increases spending by 0.6% on top of the 3.4% increase built into the adopted budget.

For her part, Rep. Kokoruda is continuing work on substance abuse legislation that would seek to take fentanyl off the street and make treatment opportunities more accessible to impaired individuals.

"Nearly every community in the state has been impacted by the opioid crisis, and Madison and Durham are not exceptions," Rep. Kokoruda said. "The legislation I am proposing would provide relief to those struggling with addiction, as well as their families and the communities they live in. We also need to work on best practices performed while a patient is already in treatment, which could, for example, involve the regulation of sober homes across the state."

The current session is a "short session," meaning that individual legislators may only introduce legislative concepts that are financial in nature and/or that make adjustments to the 2020-21 state budget passed last year.

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Anybody with legislative questions or ideas is encouraged to contact Rep. Kokoruda at 860-240-8700 or Noreen.Kokoruda@housegop.ct.gov.