Legislature Graded on Equity Agenda

 

The State Capitol was filled this week with labor and community organizations pushing for bills in the Equity Agenda that will raise wages for tipped workers, extend healthcare to immigrant youth, fully fund higher education, protect Uber drivers, fund child care, protect against unjust evictions, expand paid sick days, and more.

They all came together for the Connecticut for All Democracy School held in the rotunda of the State Capitol. Grading the legislators, participants held up PASS or FAIL signs as speakers representing each constituency of the Equity Agenda explained why their bill was urgent to pass this session.

Led by professor Seth Freeman, president of SEIU 1973 that represents community college faculty, FAIL signs dominated, serving as a warning for legislators to act before the May 8 adjournment.

One exception was the victory of Personal Care Attendants in 1199 who won approval for funding to raise their wages to $24 an hour over six years. When this was announced cheers and PASS signs went up.

Many interrupted their lobbying efforts to take part in the Democracy School. Together their collective strength could be felt along with the resolve to continue the fight for all parts of the equity agenda.

When one state senator was approached to support the extension of just cause eviction protections to all renters he repeated the corporate landlord's line that they have to have the ability to remove bad tenants. In fact the law already exists for those over 65 and those with disabilities with no problem.

SB 143, supported by the CT Tenants Union, addresses the crisis created by mega landlords grabbing up properties with the intent of raising rents to get more profits.

Following the Democracy School, an extraordinary press conference was held by Connecticut Students for a Dream with dozens of high school students from Danbury, New Haven and Hartford who took time from their spring break to support expanding health coverage regardless of immigration status for young people up to age 18.

Currently coverage stops at age 15. One 17 year old courageously told her story of needing serious surgery because of the high cost of healthcare without coverage. Rep Jillian Gilcrest pledged to do all she can to get the bill passed this session and to continue next session to win health care for all ages, supporting the demand of Connecticut Students for a Dream and Husky for Immigrants,.