How Will Connecticut’s New Budget Affect You?

The state of Connecticut’s budget is set to increase 2.5 percent before the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, 2015. Several of the tax breaks won’t be implemented immediately as the state can’t afford them.

You can read the legislation in full on the Connecticut state website, but here are some of the most significant ways it is going to affect you:

• Minimum wage increase: The much-discussed minimum wage increase will only come into effect January 1, when it will rise from $8.70 to $9.15. It increases to $9.60 on Jan. 1, 2016. By Jan. 1, 2017 it is planned to go up to $10.10.

• Sexual assault on campus: There have been numerousaccusations of mismanagement of sexual assault reports on campuses around the country. Now, Connecticut colleges must adopt and share information about policies relating to sexual violence, and to offer prevention and awareness programming. Colleges are also required to provide victims with information about their rights and options.

• Teachers: Up until now, Connecticut teachers could only be dismissed for specific reasons. Following a major education reform bill that came into effect Tuesday, teachers can now be dismissed for being judged generally incompetent.  

• Registered nurses: Advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs, can now practice independently, as long as they have been practicing with a physician for at least three years.

• Student athletes:  The Board of Education must now develop a concussion education plan for student athletes and parents before the student participates in sport. Patch reported similar ruling implemented in Virginia in 2011.

There are further details of the budget on The Hartford Courant.

What do you think of these changes? Will any of them affect you directly? Let us know in the Comments section.