Key Bills to Address Affordability

State Representative Savet Constantine recently highlighted several bills that will be discussed in the coming weeks that aim to address the broader affordability challenges families are feeling every day.

Constantine stated that together, the following proposals “reflect a focused effort to ease the financial pressures facing Connecticut families, from lowering everyday costs and providing jobs and tax relief, to supporting seniors, caregivers, renters, and working residents”.

• Senate Bill 1 includes several proposals aimed at lowering everyday costs, including eliminating the sales tax on clothing and shoes under $100, school supplies such as backpacks, and certain grab-and-go grocery items like sandwiches and coffee purchased from supermarkets. It also creates a caregiver tax credit for eligible expenses incurred while caring for a homebound family member. And for many seniors, a full exemption of Social Security benefits from state tax is one of the most significant proposals this session.

• Senate Bill 2, "An Act Supporting Local Commerce," would direct funds back to towns to support local businesses with infrastructure and economic development programs.

• House Bill 5114 would provide renters with a tax credit of up to $2,500 per year, recognizing that renters also feel the strain of Connecticut’s high cost of living and deserve meaningful relief. 

• House Bill 5538 is part of a broader effort to make Connecticut more competitive with neighboring states and create an environment where businesses can grow and succeed here. As part of my longer-term project work on the Finance Committee, I have been analyzing Connecticut’s economic competitiveness in our leading industries. I look forward to the results of this study so we can bolster our economy and job growth. I will share more as this bill and others move closer to debate on the House floor.