CPSA Column: General Assembly Update, Outlook and Committees | The Beverage Journal (2024)

Legislative Session Update

By Carroll J. Hughes, Executive Director, Connecticut Package Store Association

The general feeling of legislators at the General Assembly this year is to leave issues related to the Total Wine lawsuit off of the legislative agenda. However, this may not be the position of the Governor or other special interest groups.

There are apparently a few persons who believe that it is appropriate to attempt to gain advantage over retail package stores. These reported efforts are offering false hope to big box stores, chains, and others working to eliminate competition.

The issue of the budget will continue to dominate at this year’s legislative session.

Committees

Legislators on the General Law and Finance, Revenue and Bonding committees deal with issues affecting the liquor industry. All other legislators are important to you, but these will be the primary committees that will affect your business.

Please make contact with the legislators listed below who are from your district, as we have done in the past. If you need any information on any of these legislators, please contact the CPSA office at 860-346-7978.

Finance, Revenue & Bonding

Senator Toni Boucher, Vice-Chair, Wilton (R); Senator Steve Cassano, Member, Manchester (D); Senator John W. Fonfara, Co-Chair, Hartford (D); Senator Scott L. Frantz, Co-Chair, Greenwich (R); Senator Ted Kennedy, Member, Branford (D); Senator Carlo Leone, Vice-Chair, Stamford (D); Senator Art Linares, Member, Old Saybrooke/East Hampton (R); Senator Henri Martin, Member, Bristol (R); Senator Michael A. McLachlan, Member, New Fairfield/Danbury (R); Senator Marilyn Moore, Member, Bridgeport (D); Senator Len Suzio, Member, Cheshire/Meriden (R); Senator Gary A. Winfield, Member, New Haven (D); Rep. James M. Albis, Member, East Haven (D); Rep. Emil Altobello, Member, Meriden (D); Rep. Angel Arce, Member, Hartford (D); Rep. Eric C. Berthel, Member, Watertown (R); Rep. Larry B. Butler, Member, Waterbury (D); Rep. Vincent J. Candelora, Member, Durham (R); Rep. Devin R. Carney, Member, Lyme/Old Lyme (R); Rep. Holly. H. Cheeseman, Member, East Lyme (R); Rep. Christopher Davis, Ranking Member, East Windsor (R); Rep. Laura Devlin, Member, Fairfield (R); Rep. Adam Dunsby, Member, Easton (R); Rep. Josh Elliot, Vice-Chair, Hamden (D); Rep Livvy R. Floren, Member, Greenwich (R); Rep. John H. Frey, Member, Ridgefield (R); Rep. Robin Green, Member, Andover (R); Rep. Joseph P. Gresko, Member, Stratford (D); Rep. Stephen G. Harding, Member, Brookfield (R); Rep. John “Jack” F. Hennessy, Member, Bridgeport (D); Rep. Laura R. Hoydick, Member, Stratford (R); Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, Member, Derby/Seymour (R); Rep. Gail Lavielle, Member, Norwalk (R); Rep. Roland J. Lemar, Member, New Haven (D); Rep. Rick Lopes, Member, New Britain (D); Rep. Brandon L. McGree, Vice-Chair, Windsor (D); Rep. Patricia Bille Miller, Member, Stamford (D); Rep. Russell A. Morin, Member, Wethersfield (D); Rep. Bruce V. Morris, Member, Norwalk (D); Rep. Mary M. Mushinsky, Member, Wallingford (D); Rep. Jason Perillo, Member, Shelton (R); Rep. Chris Perone, Member, Norwalk (D); Rep. John E. Piscopo, Member, Litchfield (R); Rep. Lonnie Reed, Member, Branford (D); Rep. Jason Rojas, Co-Chair, Manchester (D); Rep. Robert Sanchez, Member, New Britain (D); Rep. Hilda E. Santiago, Member, Meriden (D); Rep. Steven Stafstrom, Member, Bridgeport (D); Rep. David T. Wilson, Member, Bethlehem/Woodbury (R); Rep. Terrie Wood, Member, Darien/Norwalk (R); Rep. Dave W. Yaccarino, Member, North Haven (R).

General Law

Senator John A. Kissel, Vice-Chair, Enfield (R); Senator John Larson, Vice-Chair, East Hartford (D); Senator Carlo Leone, Co-Chair, Stamford (D); Senator Kevin Witkos, Co-Chair, Avon/Torrington (R); Rep. Emil Altobello, Member, Meriden (R); Rep. David Arconti, Member, Danbury (D); Rep. David Baram, Co-Chair, Bloomfield (D); Rep. Michael D’Agostino, Vice-Chair, Hamden (D); Rep. Anthony D’Amelio, Member, Waterbury (R); Rep. Daniel Fox, Member, Stamford (D); Rep. Laura Hoydick, Member, Stratford (R); Rep. Brenda Kupchick, Member, Fairfield (R); Rep. Linda Orange, Member, Windham (D); Rep. Daniel Rovero, Member, Killingly (D); Rep. David Rutigliano, Member, Trumbull (R); Rep. Richard Smith, Ranking Member, Danbury (R); Rep. Melissa Ziobron, Member, Colchester (R).

One of the wonderful things about CPSA is that our members don’t end participation at sending in dues. We are proud to have one of the most vibrant and involved groups of business owners in Connecticut. That is what has made us so strong and successful for so many years.

It is up to you to carry on this legacy. Be a part of this hardworking group by getting to know your legislators. Many of our new legislators have included their passion for supporting small businesses in campaigns. Let them know you were listening and that you care.

Please reach out to the CPSA office if you need any information to make contact with these legislators. If your town or city is not listed here, you can find out who is representing your district by visiting https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp.

For more information on any of these topics and more visit CPSA online.