20 for ’25: A Plan for Connecticut's Future

Summary:

The ’20 in ‘25’ initiative is a proposed legislative framework for Connecticut’s 2025 session, designed to address pressing state challenges through 20 targeted policy measures. This forward-thinking plan spans key areas, including education reform, healthcare accessibility, workforce development, and housing solutions. By building on recent legislative efforts, these measures aim to drive systemic improvements that align with broader state goals of sustainability, equity, and economic resilience.

With a holistic approach, the ’20 in ‘25’ initiative emphasizes collaboration among government, private sectors, and community organizations to ensure maximum impact. It seeks not only to implement immediate policy changes but also to establish long-term strategies that enhance quality of life, reduce disparities, and promote sustainable development. This comprehensive roadmap positions Connecticut to lead in innovative, inclusive governance, setting a benchmark for states nationwide.

Moreover, the ’20 in ‘25’ initiative offers a unifying mandate for legislators to champion meaningful and lasting change. Rooted in community-focused priorities, these policy measures transcend political divides and resonate across diverse constituencies. By advancing practical, bipartisan solutions, this framework empowers lawmakers to rebuild communities, foster collaboration, and establish a foundation for sustained progress and resilience statewide.

An Overview of the Program:

Text of Plan below:

Components of 20 for ’25:

📚 Education and Student Support

🩺 Health and Accessibility

🗳️ Governance and Electoral Reforms

🌱 Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Sustainability

🛡️ Marketplace Equity and Professional Standards

Each program summary has additional information, upon request.

📚 Education and Student Support: Legislation aimed at improving education, student experiences, and support systems

• FLUENT ACT: Fostering Language Understanding and Expanding New Teaching Act — Increasing American Sign Language (ASL) in our schools
• Postsecondary Advisory Committee (PSAC): Enhancing services for students with disabilities in higher education.
• Commitment to Students: Tuition contracting, homebuyer credits, and student loan reforms.
• Skills for a Better Life: Life skills education through block grants.
• Remedial Education Reform: Alternative pathways for degree completion, such as internships.
• Restore the Representation: Student representation on the Connecticut Board of Regents.

🤟🏻FLUENT ACT: Fostering Language Understanding and Expanding New Teaching Act

• Objective: Implement ASL instruction in K-12 schools through a three-year pilot program
• Key Actions: (a) Revise ASL curriculum, teacher training materials, and resources, (b) Coordinate with state and local boards of education
• Pilot Program Details: 30 diverse school districts (from varied District Reference Groups)
• Funding: Develop an “American Sign Language Education Grant”
• Evaluation and Future Steps: (a) Assess effectiveness in improving ASL fluency, (b)Provide recommendations for statewide expansion, © expansion of interpreter pool
• Estimated Cost: $7.5 million over three years (includes teacher salaries, pensions, interpreter training, and related costs)

📓Post-Secondary Advisory Committee: Improving Postsecondary Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

• Background
• Only 38% of students with disabilities complete postsecondary education vs. 51% of their peers.
• Disability services improve academic outcomes and workforce readiness.
• Statewide data is lacking to connect students with disabilities to workforce opportunities.
• Legislative Action:
• Data Collection: Annual reporting on enrollment, services, retention, and graduation for students with disabilities, disaggregated by demographics.
• Advisory Committee: A 17-member panel of experts and stakeholders to recommend improvements in services, best practices, financial aid, and accessibility for students with disabilities.
• Reporting & Outcomes: Findings and recommendations to key legislative committees and the Governor.
• Goals:
• Address barriers and exceed legal minimums for disability support.
• Ensure equitable access to postsecondary education and sustainable careers.
• Strengthen Connecticut’s workforce through inclusivity and skill development.

🎓Commitment to Students: Strengthening Higher Education & Workforce Pathways

• Tuition Contracting:
• Freeze tuition at current or future rates for incoming freshmen.
• Students commit to a 4-year timeline at a CSCU institution.
• Tuition adjusts for the “incoming freshman” rate if extended beyond 4.5 years.
• Learn Here, Live Here:
• Graduates can save up to $2,500/year in income tax payments toward a first home.
• Savings grow for 10 years; penalties apply if moving out of state within 5 years.
• Student Loan Rate Study:
• Empower key stakeholders to explore reducing CHESLA loan rates via innovative financial strategies.
• Report back to the General Assembly
• Objective: Provide financial predictability, promote homeownership, and reduce student loan burdens to retain and grow Connecticut’s workforce.

🧰Skills For a Better Life: Returning Fundamental Skills to the Classroom

• Objective: Return U.S. education to fundamentals through an elective “Adulting 101” curriculum in public schools.
• Local-Driven Curriculum:
• The State shall authorize the development of an “Adulting 101” elective course using existing funds
• Local districts may establish partnerships to support curriculum implementation.
• Curriculum Focus Areas:
• (a) Cognitive training programs: (1) optimizing performance (2) biohacking, (3) stimulating skills, (b) Nutrition programs, including cooking; © Automobile maintenance; (d) Household repairs; e) First Aid and emergency preparedness; (f) Life skills: (1) social interaction, (2) interpersonal skills, (3) time management (g) Professional development: (1) applying to jobs, (2) resume writing, (3) college readiness, (h) Financial skills: (1) understanding of credit scores, (2) Pathway to homeownership, (i) Career pathways: (1) College, (2) Trade Schools, (3) Vocational programs and (4) licensing and certificate programs; (j) State and Local Government; (k) Mental Health: (1) stress management
• Grade Levels: Curriculum offered in Grades 5–12, with districts deciding the timing for each subject.
• Funding and Program Creation: Utilize existing funding and establish a “Skills for a Better Life” block grant program.

💼Innovating Remedial Education: Practical Pathways for Success in the CSCU System

• Objective: Offer an alternative to traditional remedial courses (MAT098, WRT101, etc.) for CSCU students through credit-bearing internships and independent study opportunities with local businesses and institutions.
• Credits & Costs:
• Students pay per credit, similar to existing courses; credits count toward degree requirements and are transferable within CSCU.
• Internships align with foundational mathematics and English/writing outcomes while providing real-world experience.
• Rationale:
• Enhances academic success by integrating hands-on learning.
• Builds connections with local employers to support workforce development.
• Expands access to innovative, equitable educational pathways.
• Recommendation:
• Establish the program under CSCU Board of Regents oversight.
• Include a five-year review to evaluate its success and impact.
• Impact:
• Boosts completion rates for remedial requirements.
• Strengthens CSCU’s role in workforce readiness and community engagement.
• Promotes innovative approaches to education and career preparation.

✊🏻Restore the Representation: Elevating Voices on the Connecticut Board of Regents

• Objective: Restore student representation on the Connecticut Board of Regents, increasing student influence on policymaking both within the CSCU System and at the state level.
• Background:
• 2011 Transition: The Legislature and Governor replaced the Board of Trustees (students held 23% representation) with the Board of Regents, reducing student representation to 13%.
• Impact: Lower student engagement and diminished influence in policy discussions.
• Proposed Reform:
• Student Representation: Increase from 13.1% to 22.2%.
• Representation includes SAC leadership, one Governor-appointed student, and one legislative-appointed student.
• New Appointments:
• Executive Branch: Two K-12 specialists and four CSCU alumni.
• Legislative Branch: Six appointments (two each from the Speaker, House Minority Leader, Senate President Pro Tempore, and Senate Minority Leader).
• Faculty Advisory Committee: Leadership gains voting rights.
• Ex-Officio Members: Departments of Public Health, Education, Economic and Community Development, and Labor remain unchanged.
• Conclusion: Adopting this proposal empowers students by restoring the representation they once had and enhances engagement at both the system and state levels. It also strengthens collaboration with faculty and other stakeholders, ensuring diverse perspectives in policymaking.

🩺 Health and Accessibility: Focused on healthcare improvements and accessibility for individuals with disabilities:

• TEAMing Up to Fight Obesity: Partnerships to reduce obesity through sports programs.
• Housing Accessibility: Updates to align housing laws with ADA and FHA standards.
• The Family Childcare Empowerment Act: Expanding Connecticut’s Childcare Incubator Programs.

🏐TEAMing Up to Fight Obesity: Elevating Voices on the Connecticut Board of Regents

• Objective: Forge agreements between the State (Access Health CT), private insurers, and local sports teams/leagues to combat obesity. Participants enroll in training sessions hosted at sports facilities, and their progress is monitored and shared with health insurers and primary care providers.
• Background:
• The Program was conceptualized in 2010 and implemented by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) in 2018.
• Connecticut Ranking: 43rd in obesity nationally, with rates rising since the pandemic.
• Policy Recommendations:
• Eligibility: Primary care doctors prescribe participation based on BMI criteria.
• Program Details:
• Partnerships with sports facilities, including NFL stadiums, for health-focused sessions.
• Activities cover diet education, exercise routines, food logs, and health awareness topics.
• Participants aim to lose 5–10% of body weight and improve blood pressure.
• Data is tracked and reported to PCPs and insurers.
• Additional Benefits: Unique access to sports facilities, fostering enthusiasm among fans.

♿️Accessible Homes, Inclusive Futures: Updating Housing Standards to Empower People with Disabilities

• Objective: Modernize Connecticut’s General Statutes to align with ADA and FHA standards, increasing housing opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Key Policy Highlights:
• Revised Standards for Accessibility
• Accessible housing standards apply to new and altered properties.
• Exceptions would granted only if technically infeasible or an undue hardship.
• Mandatory Accessibility Features
• New constructions: 15% of units must meet Type A standards.
• Alterations: 10% of altered units must meet Type A standards.
• Essential features: Accessible entrances, fire alarms, emergency exits, mailboxes, and signage.
• Tenant Protections
• Landlords must allow tenant-funded modifications for accessibility.
• Governor’s Task Force on Housing
• 33-member body to improve statewide housing accessibility, equity, and best practices.
• Delivers legislative recommendations to the Housing Committee.
• Judicial Enhancements
• Extend response dates for eviction and foreclosure accommodations.
• Economic Incentives
• Tax credits for builders of accessible units.
• Promote Universal Design via apprenticeships with trade unions.

👶Building Futures, One Child at a Time: YWCA Family Childcare Incubator: A Model for Connecticut

• Addressing Dual Challenges
• Childcare Crisis: Expands affordable, quality care for infants and toddlers through a home-based provider model.
• Economic Empowerment: Trains providers in child development and business operations, fostering entrepreneurial pathways for women and underrepresented groups.
• Key Program Highlights:
• Workforce Development: Transition participants from training to sustainable business ownership with stipends and mentorship.
• Financial Independence: Equips childcare providers with tools for long-term economic resilience.
• Scalability & Bipartisan Appeal: Uses public-private partnerships to align self-sufficiency with community impact.
• Policy Recommendations:
• Federal Funding: Create grants for childcare incubator infrastructure and training.
• Simplified Licensing: Develop model regulations to reduce barriers for providers.
• Tax Incentives: Offer credits for startup costs and facility investments.
• Workforce Integration: Align incubators with workforce readiness programs (e.g., WIOA).
• National Partnerships: Launch collaborative initiatives between agencies, investors, and non-profits.

🗳️ Governance and Electoral Reforms: Legislation aimed at improving governance, election processes, and legislative practices:

• Ranked Choice Voting: Introducing a ranked-choice voting system.
• Term Limits: Establishing term limits for elected officials.
• Mail-in Voting: A mail-in voting system modeled after Utah.
• Zero-Based Budgeting: Reforming Connecticut’s budgeting process.
• Gubernatorial Election Reform: Requiring governor-lieutenant governor tickets.
• Office of the Lt. Governor Reform: Expanding the role of the lieutenant governor.
• Gubernatorial Veto Reform: Changing veto types for better executive-legislative interaction.

🗳️Building Futures, Democracy Elevated: Exploring Ranked Choice Voting as Connecticut’s Next Step in Electoral Reform

• Objective: Fully implement the Governor’s Working Group Report on Ranked Choice Voting (RCV).
• Key Recommendations:
• Municipal & Party Flexibility:
• Municipalities may opt to use RCV in local elections.
• Political parties can choose RCV for conventions, primaries, and presidential delegate allocation.
• Implementation Safeguards:
• Secretary of State may defer RCV if design or technology issues arise.
• Pilot Program
• Municipalities can test RCV in select races.
• Provides real-world evaluation and resource planning.
• Supporting Elements
• Civic Education: Vital for public understanding and adoption.
• Legislative Action: Requires full financial support for implementation.

⌚️Limits on Longevity: Ensuring Fresh Perspectives in Connecticut’s Leadership

• Objective: To foster fresh ideas, promote accountability, and ensure equitable opportunities for leadership, the State of Connecticut proposes implementing term limits for state legislators. The policy seeks to balance experience with innovation while maintaining continuity in governance.
• Key Recommendations:
• Term Limits for Legislators & Executives:
• Legislators: 12 years
• Executives: 8 years
• Cooling-Off Period:
• Legislators may seek re-election after a mandatory 4-year hiatus following their term limit expiration.
• Transitional Provisions:
• Current legislators are grandfathered into the system, with term limits applying prospectively from the policy’s enactment and upon the member’s retirement from service.
• Enhanced Civic Engagement:
• Encourages greater voter participation and leadership diversity by regularly opening seats to new candidates.
• Safeguards for Institutional Knowledge:
• Formalize the mentorship program pairing outgoing legislators with newcomers to preserve expertise and ensure smooth transitions.

📫 Sealed with Security: Providing Options for All Connecticut Voters

• Objective: This proposal introduces a comprehensive mail-in voting system for Connecticut, modeled after Utah’s successful approach while incorporating existing Connecticut voting regulations. The goal is to increase voter accessibility, participation, and security.
• Key Recommendations:
• Automatic Ballot Distribution
• All registered voters receive mail-in ballots 21 days before Election Day.
• Voters can opt-out of mail-in ballots and vote in person if preferred.
• Ballot Security:
• Unique barcodes for ballot tracking, allowing voters to confirm when their ballot is received and counted.
• Signature verification to prevent fraud.
• Flexible Submission Options:
• Ballots can be returned via prepaid mail, secure drop boxes at municipal offices, or in person at polling locations.
• Same-Day Registration and Voting:
• Same-day voter registration remains available at polling sites for those voting in person.
• Robust Voter Education Campaign:
• Outreach to inform voters about mail-in voting processes, deadlines, and security features.
• Multilingual resources to ensure accessibility for all communities.

🧮 Starting from Zero: Transforming Connecticut’s Budget Accountability and Efficiency

• Objective: Transition Connecticut to a zero-based budgeting (ZBB) system that ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the 1991 Constitutional Spending Cap.
• Mandate for Zero-Based Budgeting:
• Requires state agencies to build their budgets from zero, justifying every program, activity, and dollar allocated.
• Phases implementation to allow agencies to transition and provide feedback.
• Implementation Timeline:
• 2026–2027: Pilot ZBB in five high-expenditure agencies (e.g., Education, Transportation, Health, Public Safety, Environmental Protection).
• 2028–2029: Expand ZBB to 50% of state agencies.
• 2030–2031: Full implementation for all state agencies.
• Annual Compliance Audits:
• State Auditor’s Office to conduct reviews of ZBB submissions for accuracy and compliance.
• Submit annual compliance reports to the General Assembly.
• Training and Capacity Building:
• Mandates funding to train agency staff and implement advanced financial systems for budget preparation and analysis.
• Establishes a technical assistance team within the Office of Policy and Management.
• Public Transparency:
• Requires detailed ZBB reports to be published online for public review, including justifications for expenditures and performance metrics.
• Oversight Mechanism:
• Approps and FRB will oversee implementation, address challenges, and propose refinements.

👟 Stronger Together: Unified Leadership: Aligning Governor and Lieutenant Governor Elections

• Objective: Require candidates for Governor in Connecticut to select a Lieutenant Governor running mate, ensuring cohesive leadership and streamlined policy implementation. This aligns Connecticut with 26 other states that have implemented gubernatorial ticketing.
• Unified Candidate Tickets:
• Candidates for Governor must select their Lieutenant Governor running mate before primary.
• Both candidates will appear as a single ticket on the ballot in both the primary and general.
• Implementation Timeline:
• Effective starting the 2032 gubernatorial election cycle, with preparatory changes enacted by 2028.
• Amends state election laws and party nomination processes to accommodate ticketing requirements.
• State Comparisons:
• New York: Gubernatorial candidates select running mates, fostering alignment on policy priorities.
• New Jersey: Implemented ticketing in 2005, improving collaboration between the executive roles.
• Illinois: Requires joint tickets, reducing the potential for internal executive-branch conflicts.
• Legislative Framework:
• Mandates pre-primary nomination of Lieutenant Governor candidates by gubernatorial contenders.
• Establishes criteria for joint campaigns, including shared campaign finance disclosures and policy platforms.
• Public Education Campaign:
• Provides voter education materials explaining the benefits of unified tickets.
• Highlights the reduced potential for intra-administration disputes and enhanced policy consistency.
• Proposed Timeline:
• Adoption for the 2032 General Election, mandates that political parties’ rules are updated.

👟 Elevating Leadership: Full-Time Lieutenant Governor as Municipal Advocate: Redefining the Office for Modern Governance

• Objective: Transform the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut into a full-time position by formalizing a dual role as the state’s Municipal Advocate and assigning a traditional Commissioner Post, modeled after New Jersey’s robust approach to executive responsibility.
• Key Features:
• Municipal Advocacy Role:
• The Lieutenant Governor will serve as the primary liaison between the state government and Connecticut’s 169 municipalities.
• Responsibilities include:
• Addressing municipal concerns and fostering collaboration on economic development, infrastructure, and local governance.
• Chairing a Municipal Advisory Council to provide a direct line for towns and cities to voice concerns and propose initiatives.
• Commissioner Post Assignment:
• The Governor would appoint the Lt. Gov. to oversee a state agency ensuring a hands-on leadership role in state administration.
• Lt. Governor would continue to serve as President of the Senate, reserving the right to cast the tie-breaking vote.
• New Jersey Model as Inspiration:
• In New Jersey, the Lieutenant Governor also serves as Secretary of State, enhancing accountability and operational efficiency.
• Connecticut can adopt a similar framework to optimize governance while respecting the unique needs of the state.
• Proposed Timeline:
• Adoption for the 2032 General Election.

🚫 Empowering Balance: Modernizing Veto Authority: Encouraging Legislative Collaboration through Targeted Executive Tools

• Objective: Reform Connecticut’s gubernatorial veto powers by introducing amendatory and reduction vetoes, enabling the Governor to suggest precise changes to legislation and reduce appropriation amounts without full rejection, fostering dialogue and improving legislative outcomes.
• Key Features:
• Amendatory Veto:
• Allows the Governor to return a bill to the General Assembly with recommended amendments.
• Promotes constructive feedback and legislative refinement.
• Legislators can accept or override the amendments with a vote
• Reduction Veto:
• Grants the Governor authority to reduce specific appropriations in a budget bill without rejecting the entire measure.
• Ensures fiscal responsibility while preserving essential services.
• The Legislature can accept the reductions or override them with a supermajority vote.
• Replacement of Current Vetoes:
• Transition from the line-item veto to the reduction veto for budgetary precision.
• Retain the package veto for overarching legislation.
• Benefits:
• Enhanced Collaboration: Encourages bipartisan dialogue by fostering amendments rather than outright rejection.
• Improved Fiscal Oversight: Strengthens executive oversight on state spending through the reduction veto.
• Streamlined Legislation: Reduces the likelihood of prolonged legislative deadlocks by offering compromise solutions.
• Benchmarking Success: Models such as Illinois (amendatory veto) and Wisconsin (reduction veto) demonstrate the efficacy of such reforms.

🌱 Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Sustainability: Focused on long-term improvements in physical, agricultural, and environmental systems

• Legislative Management: Reforms to improve General Assembly facilities.
• Agri-UConn “CT’s Farming Future”: Admission preferences for Vo-Ag graduates at UConn.

👨🏻‍⚖️ Modernizing Legislative Spaces: Enhancing Efficiency and Transparency

• Impact: These reforms will enhance transparency, accessibility, and sustainability with the Legislative Office Building.
• Three-Digit LED Number Displays: Outside Committee rooms, display counters for transparency and reducing overcrowding during hearings. Cost estimate: $4,500.00.
• Bottle-Filling Stations: Install two accessible stations per floor in the Legislative Office Building to promote sustainability. Cost estimate: $30,000.00.
• Agenda Posting Improvement: Link committee/public hearing agendas directly from a bill’s webpage for better accessibility. Cost estimate: $0.00 (nonpartisan IT adjustment).
• Time Display Countdown in Committee Rooms: Install countdown clocks to assist speakers in managing their testimony time. Cost estimate: $17,000.00.

🐮 Cultivating Connecticut’s Future: Preferred Admission for Vo-Ag Graduates

• Preferred Admission: Graduates of Agriculture Science and Technology Education Centers receive preferred admission to the UConn College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources.
• Internships & Apprenticeships: Establishes tracking mechanisms for career opportunities post-admission.
• Eligibility Criteria: Minimum GPA and other qualifications required for program consideration.
• Objective & Purpose: (a) Retain skilled agricultural graduates in the state, (b) support agriculture workforce development and sustainability efforts, © Strengthen the pipeline for agricultural careers, (d) Promote higher education opportunities for students in the agriculture-related field.

🛡️ Marketplace Equity and Professional Standards: Legislation addressing consumer rights, occupational standards, and broader policy issues

• Taylor Swift Bill: Regulating Monopolistic Ticketing Practices.
• Occupational Licensing: Reforming and updating.

🎸All Too Well: Ticketing Reform Act — Consumer Protection and Marketing Fairness

• Objective: In response to growing public frustration over monopolistic practices in ticket sales, Connecticut proposes the “Taylor Swift Bill” to regulate unfair practices by ticketing companies like Ticketmaster. This legislation aims to foster competition, ensure transparency, and protect consumers from exorbitant fees and predatory resale markets.
• Policy Objectives:
• Combat Monopolistic Practices: Limit exclusivity agreements between venues and ticketing service providers to encourage competition.
• Fee Transparency: Mandate the disclosure of all ticket fees upfront, ensuring consumers see the full price before purchase.
• Resale Regulation: Cap ticket resale prices at no more than 50% above the face value to deter price gouging.
• Anti-Bot Measures: Enforce stricter penalties for the use of bots to buy tickets in bulk.
• Consumer Protections: Require refunds for canceled events, with clear policies on delays or reschedules.
• Key Features:
• Exclusivity Limits:
• Venues cannot enter ticketing contracts longer than three years with any provider.
• Service providers must disclose the terms of such agreements.
• Full Price Transparency:
• Ticket sellers must display the total cost of tickets, including fees, upfront on websites and promotional materials.
• Scalping and Resale Caps:
• Online resale platforms must cap ticket prices at 150% of the original cost.
• Prohibit speculative ticket listings (tickets not yet in the seller’s possession).
• Bot Prevention:
• Use advanced technology to block bot access during sales.
• Impose fines of up to $100,000 per violation for companies failing to prevent bot activity.
• Enforcement Mechanism: Empower the DCP to oversee compliance and issue penalties.

🎖️ Occupational Licenses and Veterans: Empowering Veterans, Strengthening Connecticut’s Workforce

• Key Objectives Expand and streamline licensing pathways for veterans by aligning military training with civilian job certifications, bolstering workforce participation, and manufacturing revitalization efforts.
• Policy Proposal:
• Amend Section 31–22u to include a five-year review cycle, ensuring up-to-date equivalency standards for military training.
• Create a standard equivalency list (e.g., MOS, AFSC, NEC) for civilian job credentials by 2029, in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Military Department.
• Introduce an opt-in interstate licensing compact to ease cross-state certification

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