Senator Tony Hwang Raises Representative Due Process Concerns Over Emergency Certification Process; Supports Senate Bill 298 Despite Objections

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Lord John Acton (1834-1902)

HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Tony Hwang (R–Fairfield) today voiced strong opposition to the disrespectful legislative process used to advance Senate Bill 298, an “emergency certified” measure encompassing nearly 100 sections and 50 legislative bills/concepts spanning budget appropriations, education, pension offsets, and dozens of policy provisions that were never raised in public hearings this session.

While Senator Hwang reluctantly voted yea on the overwrought omnibus bill due to specific provisions that were critical to his constituents and many communities across Connecticut, he sharply criticized some of the provisions within the bill and the arrogant and deliberate manner in which the legislation was brought forward by the Democrat majority.

“Emergency certification is intended for dire, time-sensitive situations requiring immediate legislative action,” said Hwang. “Senate Bill 298 is a nearly 100-section omnibus measure containing a wide array of unrelated policy proposals, many of which were never subject to public hearing, committee review, or meaningful debate. That undermines transparency, accountability, and the very purpose of the legislative process.”

Hwang emphasized that the use of emergency certification in this instance bypassed regular order, limited public input, and constrained lawmakers’ ability to fully vet complex provisions that will have lasting and consequential impact on CT residents.

“As state senator, I am being asked to vote on a massive, multi-section omnibus bill that contains provisions I support and others that demand proper scrutiny and public input – that was publicly shared with me mere hours before the final Senate vote,” Hwang continued. “This approach reflects the arrogance of one-party rule and Democrat supermajority and a troubling pattern of sidelining minority voices – and more importantly, the voices of the citizens we represent. Election results matter. Process matters.”

Despite his objection to some of the controversial and expedited sections of SB 298, Hwang said he could not ignore elements within the bill that provide necessary funding and policy adjustments such as $600,000 in funding notwithstanding for Fairfield’s Mill Hill Elementary School’s construction project. Extend pausing the forced enforcement of racial imbalance statutory requirements at public schools until July 1, 2030. This language will reevaluate and alleviate the state mandated student redistricting that will disrupt student learning and their social-emotional stability.

Hwang supported creating a 15 member working group to address and raise awareness about antisemitism in public schools by assisting the board of education and other education stakeholders. This bill is necessary to fight against increased incidences of hate crime and violence against our Jewish neighbors in CT. Hate crimes against the Jewish people in Connecticut are up 560% since 2020, and Connecticut ranked 9th in antisemitic incidents per capita in 2024, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

Senate Republicans offered amendment LCO 2239, which was a proposal to bring income tax cuts to lower, working, and middle class residents, and eliminate occupational licensing fees.

We also offered LCO 2244, which was to eliminate the income tax on Social Security income.

LCO 2297 was called to clarify and reaffirm legislative intent regarding PURA’s authority in the Aquarion/Eversource matter. The amendment is intended to correct and clarify legislative intent following emergency certification from PA 24-1 passed in the June 2024 special session, affirming that the decision falls squarely under PURA’s jurisdiction.

“We saw three amendments denied by legislative Democrats on party lines that would have saved Connecticut residents money in the face of an affordability crisis,” added Sen. Hwang. “They were ways to make SB 298 more palatable, and return some money to the families in our state. To tell them we are looking out for the public interest.”

“My vote in support of Senate Bill 298 should not be interpreted as an endorsement of how it was advanced,” he stated. “We can disagree on policy, but we must never disregard the democratic process. This is the people’s house: a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. When the legislative and representative process is ignored, public trust is diminished in government.”
Hwang called for bipartisan reforms to restore transparency and ensure that emergency certification is used only in truly urgent circumstances.

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” Hwang concluded. “We must recommit ourselves to openness, accountability, and respect for the legislative process.”