Advocacy in Action | May 8, 2025
Take Action Now To Support CT TourismThis week, we proudly participated in Arts, Culture Tourism Day at the State Capitol, helping shine a spotlight on the critical need to reinvest in our state’s arts, culture, and tourism sectors. Tourism marketing is a vital economic driver for Connecticut’s restaurants and small businesses, which is why the CRA has pushed hard this session to increase funding in the state budget for this purpose.
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The CRA is asking you to get involved by reaching out to your local state legislators to ask them to increase tourism marketing funding.
Unfortunately, we are fighting an uphill battle: current state plans would actually cut tourism marketing from $12.1 million in 2023 to $4.5 million on July 1, 2025. Setting aside 20% of the existing Meals & Beverage Tax would inject more than $20 million into Connecticut’s tourism marketing budget, providing a major boost to our local hospitality industry. CT’s hospitality industry is special - an incredible 97% of Connecticut full-service restaurants are independently owned and operated - it’s undeniable the importance of protecting and promoting what we have here. Standing alongside other CT attractions, hotels, events, and so much more, sent a powerful message about why investing in our state’s tourism is so important. |
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CRA Night at the Capitol |
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Attend or Table at Night at the Capitol!
🗓️ Monday, June 2, 2025 🕓 5PM - 7PM 📍 Legislative Office Building Atrium, Hartford 👉 Registration Required The evening will bring together restaurateurs, vendors, and legislators, offering a platform to demonstrate the strength of our collective voice and advocacy efforts; an impactful showcase of industry talent and unity during the final week of the 2025 Legislative Session. |
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Proposed Single-Use Plastic Ban in Stamford on hold following strong opposition |
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A proposed ordinance in Stamford aimed at banning single-use plastic items in dine-in establishments, has been temporarily put on hold following strong opposition from local business owners. The ordinance, which would require restaurants to use reusable foodware for on-site service, faced criticism over concerns about increased costs and insufficient time for compliance. Business owners highlighted significant rises in food and container costs in recent years and emphasized the impracticality and customer dissatisfaction with alternative packaging. D.C. Mayor Proposes Reinstating Tipped Minimum WageWashington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed reinstating the tipped minimum wage, effectively reversing Initiative 82, a 2022 ballot measure that aimed to phase out the tip credit system by 2027. Mayor Bowser's proposal, included in her 2026 budget plan, seeks to restore the tip credit, allowing employers to pay tipped workers a lower base wage, supplemented by customer tips to meet the standard minimum wage. She argues that the elimination of the tip credit has placed undue financial strain on the restaurant industry, which is already grappling with rising operating costs, rent, and labor shortages. |
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