Key bills still need voting before legislative session ends

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - The legislative session ends on Wednesday.

That means lawmakers have a short window to vote on the state’s budget and to decide the fate of several key bills.

“I would expect Monday and Tuesday to definitely be after-midnight days,” said Sen. Bob Duff, Democrat and Senate majority leader.

Bob Duff said he watched the sunrise on his way home on Saturday morning after state senators sent a sweeping gun control bill to the governor’s desk.

It would ban open carry, increases penalties for repeat offenders, and require all ghost guns to be registered, among other provisions.

“We’re going to continue to have better and stronger gun safety laws,” Duff said.

“When you look at over 15 amendments that were offered, and some of them very good ideas, then it was voted along party lines,” said Sen. Tony Hwang, Republican, 28th Senatorial District. “It just shows you the divisiveness of this issue.”

As Gov. Ned Lamont prepared to sign it, attention shifted back toward the state’s two-year budget.

“We expect the budget to actually pass on a bipartisan basis,” Duff said.

It included income tax cuts for middle and low-income families, and increased funding for nonprofits, higher education, and public schools.

“I’m extremely encouraged that we will have a budget that will be a compromise that kind of reflects views from all perspectives, we hope, but ultimately it’s going to be determined by the legislative majority,” Hwang added.

The proposed budget had some people upset.

Thousands of caregivers remain on strike and have been demanding more money.

Several other key bills remained up in the air.

Topics included education, healthcare, housing, and transportation.

“I’m hoping that we can all come together, compromise, collaborate, and create solutions that affect all sides of the shareholders,” Hwang said.

“We’ll continue to do everything we need to do until midnight on June 7th when we end,” Duff said.

Stay with Channel 3 for continuing coverage.

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