The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) named 54 state lawmakers as “affordability champions” based on their support for 12 key bills during the 2026 legislative session. This designation is part of CBIA’s annual scorecard assessing how closely lawmakers align with business-friendly policies impacting employers and the economy.
To earn this title, lawmakers needed a score of at least 85%. Among the recipients, 48 were Republicans, comprising 38 House members and 10 senators. Additionally, 6 House Democrats achieved this standard, while no Senate Democrats did.
Perfect scores were awarded to 23 lawmakers, including 5 senators and 18 representatives. The scorecards evaluated both enacted legislation and bills that did not advance.
CBIA supported measures such as eliminating the sales tax on electricity and natural gas for qualifying businesses and establishing a small business assistance position in the state. However, it opposed certain legislation imposing new requirements on warehouse operators and changes to workforce rules, which were signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont. The organization also rejected a proposal allowing striking workers to collect unemployment benefits, which did not proceed to a Senate vote.
CBIA President Chris DiPentima emphasized that these bills were vital for affordability, economic growth, and competitiveness.
