Appropriations Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5607
AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS TO
Title: REPLENISH THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION TRUST FUND.
Vote Date: 4/21/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/26/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Appropriations Committee
House Republican Leadership
REASONS FOR BILL:
Businesses and employees in Connecticut are struggling to recover from the COVID-19
pandemic. Connecticut has an Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, which pays for all
unemployment insurance benefits. The only source of revenue for this fund is through taxes
on Connecticut businesses. Infusing COVID-19 dollars into the fund would help avoid hurting
already struggling businesses with more tax burdens.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Eric Gjede Vice President of Government Affairs for the CBIA: Supports this bill believing it is
critical in stabilizing the Unemployment Trust Fund and avoiding long term economic
consequences.
Connecticut House Republicans Caucus: Support this bill because it would benefit small
businesses who would be hurt by increases in their unemployment insurance taxes.
Nicole Klarides-Ditria, State Representative 105th: Supports this bill because it would reduce
the future tax burden on the state's businesses that are already struggling to recover from the
COVID-19 pandemic.
National Federation of Independent Business: Supports this bill because its addresses an
anticipated rise in unemployment taxes because of the huge number of layoffs and the
depletion of the states Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which is a big concern among
small business owners.
Garrett Sheehan, President & CEO, Greater New Haven & Quinnipiac Chambers of
Commerce: Supports this bill because if it does not pass, businesses who want to hire new
employeesmay be stunted if employers are left to cover the bill for the Unemployment
Compensation Trust Funds $600-plus million debt.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Sal Luciano, President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO: Does not support this bill, suggesting
that using those fundsto replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund is not the best
use of these federal dollars and instead the state should be raising the taxable wage base.
The following are members of YMCA and request that the bill be amended to include
nonprofit organizations as well:
Timothy Barrett, Chief Operating Officer of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA
Greg Brisco, CEO of the Northwestern Connecticut YMCA
John Cattelan, Executive Director, Connecticut Alliance of YMCAs
Jennifer Gardner, CEO of the Darien YMCA
Denise Learned, Executive Director/CEO of Camp Hazen YMCA
Patrick Marchand, CEO from YMCA Camp Mohawk
Marie Miszewski, President & CEO of the Regional YMCA of Western, CT
Josh Royce, District Executive Director for the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA
David Stevenson, President & CEO of Central Connecticut Coast YMCA
Reported by: Eddie Aledia Date: 5/3/21
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