Connecticut Special Session: State Lawmakers To Vote on $500 Million Contingency Fund, Housing Bill

On Wednesday, November 12, and Thursday, November 13, the Connecticut General Assembly is scheduled to convene for a special session to address pressures caused by the more than month-long federal government shutdown and to finalize a compromise affordable housing bill.

Next week, the legislature is poised to vote on a proposal to create a $500 million contingency account to safeguard essential social services.  Lawmakers and Governor Ned Lamont are negotiating the parameters of the legislation, which would divert $500 million now slated for the state pension funds to the state’s budget reserves.  Democratic and Republican leaders have said the goal is to preserve federally funded services if they become endangered by the ongoing shutdown or H.R.1’s budget cutbacks.

“We’re going to set aside $500 [million].  It’s a federal relief fund, just in case.  I outlined some of the priorities I have related to the shutdown, and that’s all going to go through our office,” Lamont said at a news briefing on Wednesday, November 5.

Lamont said new housing legislation, aimed at creating as many as 150,000 new units, is close to being finalized between his office and State Senate and House Democratic leaders.  The bill seeks to replace House Bill 5002, An Act Concerning Housing And The Needs Of Homeless Persons, which the governor vetoed over the summer.  At the Wednesday news briefing, the governor said he anticipates the “better” bill will be available to the public “at least a few days before the special session.”