Advocacy in Action | May 1, 2025
Arts, Culture & Tourism Day
Arts, Culture, and Tourism Day
🗓️ Wednesday, May 7, 2025
🕓 10AM - 1PM
📍 1st Floor of the State Capitol Building, Hartford
Arts, Culture, and Tourism Day is an opportunity to celebrate and highlight the diverse businesses, organizations, cultural institutions, and attractions that make Connecticut a premier destination—and a great place to live and work.
This event will bring together stakeholders, professionals, and enthusiasts to recognize the hard work and dedication of those who promote Connecticut’s rich heritage, diverse attractions, outstanding hospitality, and creative economy.
Attendees will have the chance to network, engage with industry leaders, and learn about exciting developments across the sector.
The CRA team will be in attendance, alongside local restaurants representing the industry.
Registration is not required, but we do encourage you to reach out to your local legislators to let them know you will be in attendance. Parking details here.
Webinar: Wage & Hour Class Actions
Webinar: Wage & Hour Class Actions, Emerging Risks, Litigation Trends, and Defense Strategies for Restaurants
🗓️ Wednesday, May 7, 2025
🕓 1:30PM - 2:30PM
📍 Online Webinar
👉 Register Here
Wage and hour class and collective action litigation continues to evolve, presenting new challenges and strategic considerations for the restaurant industry.
This webinar will explore the latest trends in wage and hour class and collective actions, including key case law developments, emerging certification strategies, and evolving state law claims. Participants will gain practical insights into mitigating litigation risks, enhancing compliance programs, and crafting effective defense strategies to combat costly and reputation-impacting class action lawsuits.
Connecticut Budget Update
On April 22, 2025, Connecticut's Appropriations Committee approved a two-year, $55.7 billion budget proposal that prioritizes funding for K-12 education, higher education, child care, and social services. The plan includes significant investments such as $84 million annually for special education and increased support for housing initiatives.
However, the proposed budget exceeds the state's constitutional spending cap by $215 million in its first year, marking the first time since 2007 that such a breach would occur. Governor Ned Lamont and Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about the sustainability of the budget, especially in light of potential reductions in federal aid.
Final negotiations between the Legislature and the Governor are expected before the session adjourns on June 4.
Alcohol-To-Go Reminder
Alcohol-to-go is permanent in Connecticut. In 2023, the Governor signed House Bill 6548 into law, eliminating the previously imposed expiration of June 4, 2024 and making alcohol-to-go permanent.
This bill gives restaurants the opportunity to safely sell alcohol with their to go food orders.
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You may sell securely sealed containers of alcoholic liquor to go.
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The beverage does not need to be in the manufacturer’s original container, but the container you use cannot have a lid with sipping holes or straw holes.
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The beverage must be placed in a bag by an employee.
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The beverage must be accompanied with food prepared on the premise.
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Limits: 196 oz. of beer; 1L of spirits; 1.5L of wine.
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The sale of alcoholic liquor for off-premises consumption under this section shall only be conducted during the hours a package store is permitted to sell alcoholic liquor.
Bill Tracker
The Connecticut Restaurant Association actively monitors a wide range of legislation throughout each legislative session. It's important to note that the introduction of a bill does not guarantee its passage.
The CRA Bill Tracker gives you a sense of the breadth and variety of legislation we track throughout session, as well as an overview on the status of each bill.