Rep. Christopher Poulos Offers his Take on Recent Legislative Session

The Connecticut State Capitol Building WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

After the Connecticut legislative session wrapped up on May 6, the Outsider sent a questionnaire to all the members of the Southington delegation asking them to comment on four topics: bills that passed that they felt Southington residents should welcome; bills that passed that Southington residents should be wary of; bills that did not pass; and their experience of the recent session.

We will print one set of answers each week. The third set of replies was submitted by Representative Christopher Poulos, who represents Connecticut's 81st House District.

1. Bills Southington residents should welcome

Several bills passed this session that I believe Southington residents should welcome because of the direct impact they could have on our community, particularly when it comes to affordability, municipal support, education, workforce development, and services for veterans.

One measure that will impact Southington was SB 1, the state budget implementer bill. In addition to statewide affordability initiatives like expanding property tax credits, exempting Social Security income from the state income tax, and reducing costs on certain everyday purchases, the budget also delivered an additional $1.015 million in supplemental education and municipal funding to Southington. That support is intended to help ease pressure on local property taxpayers. At a time when families continue to face high costs for groceries, utilities, and housing, I believe maintaining strong state support for municipalities is critical.

Another important bill was HB 5406, the Connecticut HERO Act. This legislation included several meaningful initiatives to support veterans and military families, including expanded recognition programs, DMV fee waivers, improved school transitions for military children, and a review of expanded dental care access for veterans.

I was especially proud that Southington played a role in helping elevate the dental benefit discussion included in the bill. Members of the Southington Veterans Committee helped bring attention to the challenges many veterans face in accessing affordable dental care after their service. Their advocacy reinforced the importance of studying and improving these benefits at the state level. Southington has a strong and active veterans community, and I believe the HERO Act reflects our continued commitment to honoring and supporting those who served our country.

I would also highlight HB 5003, which focused on workforce development and strengthening Connecticut’s workforce pipeline. The bill included initiatives supporting teachers, nurses, paraeducators, first responders (police, fire, and EMS), and veterans entering the workforce, while also investing in job training and recruitment efforts. For Southington, where employers and small businesses continue working to fill critical positions, these investments could help strengthen our local economy and support workforce needs for years to come.

2. Bills residents should be wary of

One bill that I believe Southington residents should pay close attention to is HB 5350, the cannabis expansion bill that would significantly loosen restrictions on THC potency in Connecticut. The bill removes THC caps on cannabis flower and concentrates, raises THC limits in infused beverages, and expands the sale of new cannabis products. Supporters argue the changes would help Connecticut businesses compete with neighboring states, but opponents raised serious concerns about public health and youth exposure.

During debate, lawmakers from both parties expressed concerns about the potential mental health impacts of higher-potency cannabis, particularly on teenagers and young adults. Concerns included increased risks of addiction, psychosis, impaired driving, and accidental overconsumption. Some legislators pointed to studies showing increases in psychiatric emergency room visits among adolescents following marijuana legalization in other states.

For communities like Southington, where families and schools are already working hard to address youth mental health and substance abuse challenges, many residents may understandably question whether expanding access to stronger cannabis products is moving too quickly without enough safeguards in place. While the state should absolutely crack down on illegal and unregulated products, I believe there are legitimate concerns about whether removing potency limits could create unintended public health and safety consequences.

3. Bills that did not pass but are worth noting

One bill that did not pass this session, but that residents and small business owners should still be aware of, was HB 5378. The proposal sought to create a new option for small businesses to purchase health coverage through self-funded Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements, or MEWAs. The goal was to allow small employers, nonprofits, and trade organizations to pool together to increase bargaining power and potentially lower healthcare costs.

Supporters argued the bill could provide much-needed relief as Connecticut’s small-group insurance market continues to shrink, with fewer insurers participating and premiums continuing to rise. Many small businesses have struggled to maintain affordable coverage for employees, and advocates viewed HB 5378 as a way to expand options and improve affordability.

Although the bill ultimately did not advance, the debate highlighted the ongoing challenge of making healthcare more affordable for Connecticut’s small businesses and working families.

4. What the legislative process is really like

What I’ve learned during my time in Hartford is that the legislative process is far more collaborative, detailed, and people-driven than most residents ever get to see. Behind every bill are countless conversations with lawmakers from both parties, municipal leaders, advocates, small business owners, educators, veterans, and residents who simply want their voices heard.

This past session reinforced for me that good policy happens when you stay accessible and grounded in your community. Whether I was advocating for increased municipal aid for Southington, supporting investments in education, working alongside the Southington Veterans Committee on portions of the HERO Act, or discussing concerns around healthcare affordability and public safety, the most productive conversations were always centered on practical solutions rather than politics.

I also gained a greater appreciation for how much work goes into balancing competing priorities. The state budget process, in particular, involved extensive bipartisan negotiation to meet the needs of communities across Connecticut. More than 55% of Republicans in both chambers joined Democrats in supporting the budget. While no budget process is perfect, it was an example of lawmakers working together to find common ground and keep Connecticut’s core services and municipal support stable. At the same time, there are always tradeoffs that require careful consideration.

That reality shows up throughout the legislative process. Sometimes a bill that a legislator or delegation may not fully support still becomes law because it advances priorities that benefit other regions of the state. For example, an initiative designed for dense urban areas may address challenges that are very different from those facing suburban towns like Southington. Part of the job is understanding those distinctions, advocating for your community, and still respecting the broader needs of the state as a whole.

At the same time, not every good idea becomes law. In those cases, lawmakers often reflect on where a proposal fell short and consider ways to improve it for a future session.

For me, the experience has been both humbling and motivating. Representing Southington in Hartford is a responsibility I take seriously, and every conversation — whether at the Capitol, a school event, a ribbon cutting, or while knocking on doors — serves as a reminder of who I’m there to represent.