In This Issue:

From Paddi's Desk

CT Agency Corner

Municipal Roundup

Inside Scoop

This Day in CT History

This Week's News:

Red States Asking SCOTUS To Stop CT, Other Blue States From Forcing Climate Agenda On Rest Of Country...

Did Kosta Diamantis OK too big a school? CT to pick up $6.5M tab...

What's Special about a Special Session?

The term "Special Session" has been buzzing around the Capitol recently, leaving some to wonder what makes it so special. Is it the topic at hand, the timing right after the 2024 session ended with numerous bills still pending, or is there an urgent matter facing Connecticut?

Special sessions address urgent issues that cannot wait until the next regular meeting. According to Robert's Rules of Order, these meetings are convened for matters requiring immediate attention. The process for calling a special session typically involves specific steps, including providing written notices to all members within a designated timeframe, often outlined in the organization's bylaws. Notices for special meetings might need to be mailed at least 14 days in advance, and they must clearly state the meeting's purpose, as no other business can be conducted.

Urgent matters prompting special sessions can include natural disasters, economic crises, or significant legal changes required by court decisions. For example, the Connecticut General Assembly has been called into a special session to address state budget issues. If budgetary problems arise or a budget cannot be passed during a regular session, a special session ensures the government remains funded and operational. Other triggers might be court decisions requiring legislative action or constitutional requirements, such as the inability to pass a state budget, the removal of an elected official for misconduct, or urgent appointments that cannot wait until the next regular session.

Sometimes, policy priorities need immediate attention, particularly major legislative initiatives stalled by political or social pressures. In Connecticut's case for the Summer of 2024, the issue at hand is a policy matter gaining significant attention. The potential special session is linked to House Bill 5172, which aims to "fix" a 2022 law mandating towns to change their vehicle assessment system and introduce a depreciation schedule, so people pay less as their cars age. Although the legislature delayed the mandate to October 2024, the bill did not pass both chambers in the last session.

The House approved the bill on a bipartisan vote, but it encountered issues in the Senate. On the last day of the session, the Senate modified the language to allow municipalities a five-year phase-out and to increase the assessment percentage above a 70% cap. The House did not vote on these changes due to time constraints, lack of interest, or differing opinions. As a result, the current language will go into effect on October 1st unless a special session is held to address it.

What makes a special session "special" is the legislature's ability to schedule it anytime and for any duration. The scope of discussion is limited to the "call of the session." For example, Connecticut uses an "emergency certified bill" to frame any chamber debate, and anything not in the call of the session or contrary to the bill's intent is not allowed by the presiding officer.

For some, special sessions are indeed special, while for most, they indicate trouble. This summer's special session in Connecticut falls into the latter category. As Sun Tzu stated in "The Art of War," "In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." So never underestimate lobbyists and motivated legislators. They often find creative ways to introduce additional policy discussions during special sessions, even when they appear limited in scope.



Let's watch and see how this special session unfolds. I wonder what type of special antics will happen in the special session! 

Connecticut lawmakers failed to pass a bill addressing changes to the car property tax system before the legislative session ended, creating a potential need for a special session. The bill, House Bill 5172, sought to implement fixes to a 2022 law that mandates towns to use manufacturer’s suggested retail price for vehicle assessments and introduces a depreciation schedule. This law, delayed to go into effect in October 2024, aims to standardize vehicle taxation across towns but may significantly reduce municipal revenues, leading towns to shift tax burdens onto property owners.

The House passed the bill with bipartisan support, but the Senate's last-minute amendment allowing towns to phase out the car tax over five years and increase the assessment ratio on real estate led to a stalemate. The House did not vote on the amended bill, meaning the necessary adjustments to the 2022 law remain unaddressed. Lawmakers argue these changes are critical to avoid confusion and potential negative impacts on municipalities and small businesses, as varying tax classifications could arise without uniform guidelines.

Connecticut’s car tax has been a contentious issue for years, with previous attempts by governors to repeal it failing. The current impasse reflects deep-seated disagreements on how to balance municipal revenue needs with fair taxation. Key figures like Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw (D-Avon) and Sen. MD Rahman (D-Manchester) have highlighted the urgency of resolving this issue before the new system takes effect. The Planning and Development Committee emphasizes that the changes are essential to prevent disproportionate burdens on cities like Hartford and to provide clarity for taxpayers.

Identifying Funding Opportunities

As the legislative session came to a close, our team at Sullivan & LeShane turned our attention to the incoming opportunities that could benefit many of our clients looking for government investment in their initiatives. As is tradition, the government as a whole does not always make identifying and approaching funding opportunities easy. One of the many things our firm loves to dive into is the opportunity for grant support that is out there. Today our focus is on one of those opportunities that has an application due date in less than a month and is a transformational grant that has risen in popularity across the state. The Community Investment Fund, championed by several key state legislators has been in existence for a few years now. As we have written about in the past, states and even the federal government should take time to learn about the way this fund is run because of the success it has already had. The process is interesting, detailed, and expansive. It lacks the cumbersome nature of most grant opportunities and its efficiency in directing state investments should be mimicked by other grants, lets dive in.



55 distressed municipalities make the list of those who are eligible, part of that as well is the non-profit community and organizations serving multiple municipalities. This grant awards up to $175 million each year through two application periods (or more). The application portal is currently open and the due date is June 21 (just realized this is ALSO the due date of my first child but we will make sure all applications are in before then)! Key to this, and we can’t stress this enough, is buy-in from your project location’s leadership – general assembly members, local electeds, stakeholders, and key organizations must support the project and application to ensure its success. With announcements made in September, once that application is in the real work starts. Continuous advocating and gaining support during the summer is an important task. With several board members and a lot of applications (400+), this grant is a huge opportunity but only if you’re willing to do the work to apply. Post-session some people have taken time off or decided to just wake up from their two-week rest. Our team has been focused on opportunities like the CIF because opportunities like this are transformational to municipalities and organizations across our state. 

May 24th: New London Men First to Steam Across the Atlantic

Today in 1819, the Age of Steam knocked on the door of the Age of Sail. Moses and Stevens Rogers of New London began the first steam-powered voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in their hybrid steam-and-sail-powered ship S.S. Savannah. It was a voyage considered so risky, that not a single paying passenger could be found to accompany the crew.

Steam-powered technology was still in its infancy in 1818, when sea captain and entrepreneur Moses Rogers convinced investors in Georgia to finance his idea for a hybrid steam-powered sailing ship. The Savannah — named after its home port — was originally designed to be a “packet ship,” a tall-masted sailing ship that would regularly transport mail, passengers, and light cargo across the Atlantic. Thanks to the efforts of Moses Rogers and his brother-in-law Stevens Rogers, the Savannah was also outfitted with a steam engine and retractable side paddle wheels. This enabled her to maneuver under wind or steam power, which the Rogers believed would significantly shorten the duration of the trans-Atlantic crossing.

An engraving of the SS Savannah.

As soon as the Savannah was complete, the Rogers brothers began planning their first ocean-crossing voyage. Despite their best efforts, though, they could find no one willing to pay to take a month-long journey on their experimental, steam-powered vessel. Even experienced seamen balked at the invitation to help make nautical history. The Rogers had to take the ship to their hometown of New London just to find a crew willing to undertake the risky venture. Once a crew was signed, they returned the Savannah to its namesake port in Georgia, where it was graced with a brief visit from President James Monroe before steaming off for England.

On May 24, 1819, the Rogers brothers and their crew –but not one passenger — set sail from Savannah. Enduring rough weather for the entire voyage, the Savannah’s crew was forced to rely on sail power for the majority of the 29-day trip, only logging 80 hours of steam-engine use. The hybrid vessel arrived in Liverpool, England in mid-June to great fanfare, and visited several ports in Europe before sailing back to the United States. Despite the Savannah’s success as the first steamship to cross the Atlantic, passengers remained skittish about the safety of steam-powered ocean vessels. It would be nearly 30 years before another American steamship would attempt a trans-Atlantic voyage.

To view the full story on the CT Historian's website, click here.