Lawmakers Override Six Vetoes, Adopt New Measures

State lawmakers returned to the Capitol this week for a special session in which they overrode six vetoes recently issued by Gov. Rell.

The legislature also passed new measures, including a one-year extension to a portion of the real estate conveyance tax.   Veto overrides Among the veto overrides were measures that:

• Make various changes to the rules concerning what documents must be filed with municipalities when individuals and companies seek certain licenses, permits and certificates (PA 10-106, SB-124, effective Oct. 1, 2010)
• Make changes to the Department of Transportation’s Master Transportation Plan (PA 10-159, HB-5455, effective June 21, 2010)
• Except for certain positions, generally prohibit the state from inquiring about the criminal history of job applicants (PA 10-142, HB-5207, effective Oct. 1, 2010)

Lawmakers did not overturn vetoes on two bills that CBIA had urged the Governor to reject.

One of these was a huge, 11th-hour proposal that would have increased consumers’ energy costs and expanded the size and cost of state government. The other would have imposed a new tax on TARP bonuses. Both vetoes stand.

New Legislation

The General Assembly also passed two emergency certified bills that, among other things:

• Extend the state’s municipal conveyance tax for another year (expiring July, 1, 2011), and exempt foreclosures and short sales, which means homeowners “underwater” will no longer have to pay the tax. In addition, the new laws:
• Add blind persons to the definition of disabled in the Vocational Rehabilitation Job Creation Tax Credit program
• Amend state health laws to conform with federal health care law
•  Require the DECD and DRS to prepare a report every three years on any tax credit or abatement program designed to recruit or retain businesses
• Establish two supplemental health insurance programs, known as HUSKY Plus, for enrollees of the subsidized portion of the HUSKY Plan, Part B with family incomes that do not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level and whose medical needs cannot be met within the basic benefits package offered to enrollees .
• Update Connecticut’s voting laws to allow military personnel and those living outside of the United States to vote electronically.

For more information about the special session, contact Bonnie Stewart at 860.244.1925 or bonnie.stewart@cbia.com.