2008 Connecticut State Legislative Wrap-Up

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A legislative session that began with high hopes and a budget surplus of over $230 million in February turned into a session facing a projected budget deficit of $80 million in early May. The Governor and Democratic leaders reacted to this news by agreeing to not make any changes to the FY 2008—FY 2009 Biennium Budget that was adopted last year, the first time this has happened since Connecticut began operating on a Biennium. It soon became clear that anything that appeared to require a budget increase would not be passed. AARP was among a large crowd of advocates who saw many of their hopes dashed at the very last minute because of the deteriorating fiscal pictures.

Disappointing News for Two Top AARP Priorities

• Single Point of Entry for Long-Term Care, HB 5791.  Despite a large grassroots effort by AARP members, and over 62 cosponsors of HB 5791, the legislative session ended without this being called for a vote. It would have created a one-stop place where individuals could receive information and assistance in accessing long-term care.

• Small Business Retirement Plans, SB 652.  Senate passed SB 652 but time ran out before House could vote. This would have created a state sponsored pre tax retirement savings vehicle for workers in small businesses in Connecticut.

Good News on Other AARP Priorities (Legislation That Passed Both Chambers)

• Responsible Lending and Economic Security, HB 5577 (as amended). Hailed by press across Connecticut as the major win of the Session, this establishes affordable refinancing programs, emergency mortgage assistance, & foreclosure mediation programs, and various future mortgage lending protections for consumers.

• Money Follows the Person (MFP), SB 561.  Allows MFP slots for people seeking to transition from a nursing home to the community to expand from 750 to 5,000; creates an MFP Trust Fund to be used to expand home and community services in the future; and requires development of a plan to establish a demonstration project to provide services similar to MFP for adults at risk of a long-term nursing facility placement.

• Older Driver Automobile Insurance Discounts, SB 279.  Enables drivers 60 or older to receive a 5% insurance discount if they successfully complete an approved online driver safety course. (Previously, discount only available for classroom courses).

• Expanding Bus Transportation, HB 5734.  Reinvests $5 million originally bonded for bus retrofits into new bus purchases in order to expand the service and reach of Connecticut’s bus system.

• Supporting Grandparents and Relative Caregivers, SB 66.  Allows more grandparents (or other relatives) who take over guardianship of a grandchild to access state grants, by allowing those who obtained guardianship in Superior Court to apply for grants previously restricted to only those who obtained guardianship in Probate Court.

• Admission of Older Persons & Persons with Disabilities to Subsidized Housing, HB, 5127.  Allows elderly and disabled individuals accepted into federal or state subsidized housing to terminate their existing lease without penalty if they provide 30 days written notice to their landlord.

• Home Care for the Disabled, SB 414.  Increases the asset limits for the Connecticut Home Care Pilot Program for the Disabled to match that of the Connecticut Home Care Program for the Elderly thus enabling more people to qualify for support. Unfortunately, language that would have expanded the pilot program and the personal care assistant program for people with disabilities (thereby addressing a growing waiting list) was deleted from the final bill because of the cost.

• Hospice Benefit in Medicaid, Substitute for SB 558.  Creates a Hospice Benefit for people receiving Medicaid by 2/1/2009.

We are pleased that important legislation that AARP strongly supported did pass, despite the challenging legislative session. We plan to continue efforts on both Single Point of Entry and Small Business Retirement Plans with an eye to 2009!