Advocacy in Action | May 7, 2026
Sine Die: 2026 Legislative Session
At midnight last night, the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned Sine Die and the 2026 Legislative Session came to a close.
The Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association represented our industry across many pieces of proposed legislation. With the support of our members, we successfully supported legislation to ensure the strength of prosperity of restaurants and hospitality businesses across the state, while also successfully stopping numerous bills that would have harmed our member businesses.
We are working on a deeper dive into the outcome of this year’s session and will share with you soon.
Please Complete Survey: Food Delivery Practices
The Federal Trade Commission is taking a closer look at fees, practices, and the competitive impact of third‑party delivery and has asked for input as it reviews delivery platforms across restaurants and retail. This process could shape how delivery is regulated moving forward — and it’s essential that restaurant operators’ experiences are part of the record.
Third‑party delivery working for both restaurants and customers remains a top priority for the National Restaurant Association. In 2020, the Association created the industry’s first‑of‑its‑kind Principles for Third‑Party Delivery, setting standards for transparency and fairness. Since then, the opportunities and challenges of these platforms have continued to evolve.
To ensure the National Restaurant Association’s comments reflect today’s real‑world restaurant operations, please complete this short survey. Your responses will directly inform National’s submission to the FTC, and helping ensure policymakers hear from restaurant operators, not just the platforms.
In his 90-Second Update, Sean Kennedy explains why this moment matters and how your input strengthens our advocacy.
| Complete Survey | Watch 90-Second Update |
Federal: Living Wage for All Act
Last week, four Congress Members introduced the Living Wage for All Act that would raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour for large employers (500+ employees) by 2031 and small employers by 2038. The tip credit would be phased out over a 5-year period.
Associations across the U.S. are working with our partners at the National Restaurant Association on messaging around our opposition of this harmful piece of legislation.
Governor Lamont Announces Town-by-Town Increase in State Funding in FY 2027 Budget
Governor Lamont announced a town-by-town breakdown of increased state aid included in Connecticut’s adopted FY 2027 budget, which provides an additional $273 million in funding for municipalities and school districts statewide.
The package includes roughly $173 million in new education funding and $100 million in general municipal aid, marking the first time in more than a decade that every Connecticut community will receive an increase in state support.
The funding increase was approved with bipartisan support in the General Assembly. Lamont said the goal is to help towns close budget gaps, support schools, and reduce pressure on local property taxes.
Connecticut Economic Update from the State Comptroller
For hospitality, restaurant, hotel, and tourism sectors, the broader economic outlook for May is mixed but relatively resilient.
Connecticut’s economy was among the faster-growing state economies in 2025, supported by business investment and steady consumer spending, although high gas prices and inflation are beginning to reduce discretionary spending power. The report suggests that consumer demand has remained stable partly because of larger tax refunds, which may help sustain travel, dining, and entertainment activity in the near term, however inflation-related pressures continue to impact consumer spending.
Milford: Advocates Aim to Combat Human Trafficking
Residents and anti-trafficking advocates in Milford are urging city officials to adopt a local ordinance aimed at combating human trafficking through mandatory education and awareness training.
Community members spoke at a recent Board of Aldermen meeting, proposing that hotel, motel, and truck stop employees be trained to recognize signs of trafficking and know how to respond appropriately. Advocates argued that Milford’s concentration of hotels and a busy truck stop create “risk factors” that traffickers may exploit.
Free Human Trafficking Prevention Training
This free 30-minute online training program developed by PACT in collaboration with the American Hotel and Lodging Association and Marriott International discusses the intersections between human trafficking and the hotel industry.
Senator Martin Looney Will Not Seek Reelection
Senator Martin Looney, the longtime Democratic leader of the Connecticut Senate, announced that he will not seek reelection after 46 years in the General Assembly.
Representing New Haven since 1981, Looney served as Senate Majority Leader for 12 years before becoming Senate President Pro Tempore in 2015, making him the longest-serving leader in both roles in Connecticut history.
He endorsed current Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff as his preferred successor.
Comments Submitted: OSHA Federal Standard
The Association joined forces with a group of trade associations representing small businesses and employers across multiple industries to send a letter to Senate leaders in support of the Heat Workforce Standards Act, which would block OSHA’s proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention standard and prevent similar rulemakings that could impose significant compliance costs on employers in the future.
The coalition argues OSHA’s proposal takes a one‑size‑fits‑all approach that fails to account for regional climate differences, industry‑specific job functions, or existing workplace safety practices, while adding new mandates around monitoring, training, recordkeeping, supervision, and paid breaks.
Latest on Tariffs
President Trump announced that the U.S. will remove the 10% tariff on whisky imported from the United Kingdom, ending duties imposed in 2025 as part of broader trade actions.
The tariff rollback restores tariff‑free trade for UK‑produced whisky — including Scotch— and is expected to lower costs for importers, distributors, and hospitality businesses.
The administration has not released detailed guidance on implementation, but the announcement signals potential momentum toward easing other trade barriers that affect the foodservice industry.