By Anne White
The state Capitol is a hive of activity as lawmakers wade through the demanding public hearing phase of Connecticut’s five-month legislative session. With major policy proposals up for debate—including a sweeping tax cut plan, the erosian of the fiscal guardrails, the expansion of access to birth control, and contentious zoning reform bills—lawmakers and stakeholders are drawing clear battle lines.
At the center of the fray is New Canaan’s State Senator Ryan Fazio, the Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, who has introduced an ambitious tax reform proposal. His plan is designed to address Connecticut’s heavy tax burden, proposes income tax cuts, property tax caps, and a reinforcement of the state’s fiscal guardrails. But while Fazio’s allies view it as a long-overdue relief measure, opposition forces warn that it risks financial instability.
In a parallel debate, Fazio has also emerged as a vocal critic of the controversial “Work Live Ride” zoning reform, a bill that could reshape housing development across the state by overriding local zoning control. In a grueling 14-hour public hearing, he sparred with proponents of the bill, arguing that it represents an encroachment on municipal autonomy.
And in the background, another of Fazio’s legislative efforts has quietly come into full effect: an expansion of access to hormonal birth control through pharmacists, a policy shift that has garnered bipartisan support.
As the legislative session unfolds, these battles—over taxes, housing, and policy—are shaping into a high-stakes confrontation that could redefine Connecticut politics.
A Tax Reform Battle in the Making
Fazio’s tax proposal is aggressive in its scope. At its core is a 1% reduction in income tax rates for middle-income earners, an initiative he says will save the average household in his district about $2,000 annually. To finance these cuts, he proposes a combination of a two-year wage freeze for state employees, a tightening of spending growth, and the elimination of tax carveouts for politically connected industries.
The proposal also seeks to cap property tax increases at 2% annually, aligning Connecticut’s approach with Massachusetts’ successful model. The state currently ranks third-highest in the nation for property taxes, a burden that Fazio argues is eroding affordability and driving out residents.
Finally, the plan calls for extending Connecticut’s budget guardrails—caps on spending and borrowing first instituted in 2017 during a bipartisan agreement. Those limits have been credited with preventing significant tax hikes and stabilizing state finances, but Fazio warns that legislative leaders may look to weaken them. “These policies are necessary to reduce costs and taxes for families for the future,” he said.
While the plan has gained traction among fiscal conservatives, Democratic lawmakers are already signaling their resistance. Critics argue that a wage freeze for state employees, at a time when inflation has driven up costs, is politically untenable. Others say that limiting future spending growth could hamstring investments in infrastructure, education, and social services.
The Fight Over ‘Work Live Ride’ and Local Zoning
If tax reform is shaping up to be a fiscal fight, zoning reform has become a full-scale ideological battle. The “Work Live Ride” bill (HB6831), a key initiative of the Democratic majority, would mandate that municipalities allow multi-unit residential development as-of-right within a half-mile of public transit hubs. Failure to comply would result in the loss of state funding.
Proponents say the measure is a necessary step to combat Connecticut’s housing shortage and make communities more affordable. Opponents see it as an attack on local control that could alter the character of suburban neighborhoods.
Fazio, who sits on the Planning & Development Committee, has emerged as a leading critic of the bill. During a 14-hour public hearing, he argued that the proposal would disproportionately impact towns like Greenwich, Stamford, and New Canaan, forcing dense development into areas that lack the infrastructure to support it.
Joining him in opposition were Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo, New Canaan First Selectman Dionna Carlson, and Greenwich Communities Chair Sam Romeo. “This is about our ability to determine what kind of community we want to be,” Carlson testified. “This bill doesn’t respect that.”
Despite the pushback, supporters of the bill remain undeterred. Housing advocates argue that exclusionary zoning laws have historically driven up housing costs and reinforced economic segregation. With Governor Ned Lamont backing transit-oriented development as part of his economic strategy, the battle over HB6831 is far from over.
Birth Control Expansion Quietly Takes Effect
Amid the heated debates over taxes and zoning, a key policy change spearheaded by Fazio has quietly taken hold. His bill expanding access to hormonal birth control through pharmacists has now gone into full effect, with the state’s Department of Consumer Protection rolling out training programs to enable pharmacists to prescribe oral contraceptives.
The measure, which had bipartisan support, is expected to increase access to birth control, particularly in areas where healthcare providers are less accessible. “This is a meaningful step forward for women’s health in Connecticut,” Fazio said.
Public health experts have praised the law as a model for other states, though some conservative lawmakers raised concerns about regulatory oversight. As more pharmacists complete the required training, the number of locations offering direct prescription access is expected to grow.
What Comes Next?
With three months left in the legislative session, the battle lines are clear. Fazio’s tax cut proposal faces an uphill fight in the Finance Committee, where Democratic leadership has yet to indicate whether they will take it up. The Work Live Ride bill is expected to advance, but whether it passes in its current form is uncertain—particularly given the vocal opposition from suburban legislators. And the birth control law, now enacted, could serve as a rare point of bipartisan consensus in an increasingly divided political landscape.
Meanwhile, Fazio is taking his message directly to the voters. He is co-hosting two town hall meetings this week—one at Greenwich Town Hall and another in North Stamford—to rally support for his legislative priorities.
With Connecticut’s legislative session moving at full speed, these debates are far from settled. But in a Capitol defined by competing visions for the state’s future, one thing is certain: the fights over taxes, zoning, and policy are just getting started.
