Subject & Research Guides: Government Information: Connecticut Info

Background Information

An Introduction to Connecticut State and Local Government
Call Number: REF JK3316 .S45 2003
Publication Date: 2003
This appx. 150 page book provides an excellent overview in 8 chapters with notes & index of the dimensions of government in Connecticut, both retrospective and current as of the early 2000s.
Local Government in Connecticut
Call Number: Ebook
Publication Date: 2013
Local government totally surrounds us, yet its services are often hardly noticed. What is the purpose of local government? Who runs these governments? This book explains the many facets of how local CT governments function. One of the final chapters looks at public policy.
The Face of Connecticut: People, Geology, and the Land
Call Number: CT DOCS G292: no.110
Publication Date: 1985
Explores the connections between Connecticut's people and the bedrock, soil, water, and landscapes. Investigates the history of Connecticut's land, from its ancient geologic beginnings to its recent transformation at the hands of western culture. There are two main sections: The first describes Connecticut's landscapes and discusses the associated history of land use; The second part is an account of Connecticut's geologic history and how geologists have pieced together that history.

Keeping Up with CT Politics

Access World News
Search over 150 Connecticut newspapers with some coverage going back as far as the 1980s.
Capitol Report
The latest news and updates in Capitol Report brought to you by the team at WTNH.com.
Connecticut Network
Connecticut Network is the citizen's source for complete and balanced television and webcast coverage of Connecticut state government and public policy.
CT Examiner
An online newspaper based in Old Lyme and dedicated to providing quality nonpartisan journalism to the small towns and cities of southeast Connecticut.
CT Green Energy News
News and events for advocates of clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate action at the state and local levels, focusing on Connecticut.
CT Mirror
A nonprofit, non-partisan online newspaper dedicated to informing Connecticut residents about the impact of public policy, holding government accountable, and amplifying diverse voices and perspectives.
CT News Junkie
Features original reporting on state politics, public policy, the courts, and also a healthy focus on our struggling health care system.
The Day (New London)
The Day newspaper of New London, founded in July 1881, is one of America's last independent newspapers. Search The Day website for articles going back to around 2000.
Hartford Courant
Search for news regarding politics in one of the oldest continuously running newspapers in the country. Coverage from 1991 to the present.
Search across CT publications
Use the custom Connecticut news site search tool on the New London research page.

Advocacy organizations

Connecticut Audubon Society
Conserves Connecticut’s environment through science-based education and advocacy focused on the state’s bird populations and habitats.
Connecticut Forest & Park Association
A nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people to the land in order to protect forests, parks, walking trails, and open spaces in Connecticut for future generations.
Connecticut League of Conservation Voters
A bipartisan, statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to giving our environment a voice at the Capitol. CTLCV works to elect politicians who will fight for clean air and water. Check out their annual scorecard of CT legislators!
DataHaven
A nonprofit that aims to empower people to create thriving communities by collecting and ensuring access to data on well-being, equity, and quality of life.
Eastern CT Green Action
A network of local groups devoted to slowing climate change through actions at the local and state level. They have a great weekly email about issues of political and environmental concern, and a useful website, too.
People's Action for Clean Energy (PACE)
A public health and environmental organization formed in 1973 by a group of concerned Connecticut citizens. Our mission is to transition Connecticut to clean energy through grassroots education and advocacy.
Save the Sound
The preeminent regionally-focused nonprofit leading the way on effective environmental programs throughout Connecticut and the greater Long Island Sound. We know how to achieve lasting change at every level, from your backyard to the halls of Congress.
Sierra Club, Connecticut Chapter
The nation's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.
Sunrise Movement Connecticut
Sunrise is a movement of young people uniting to stop the climate crisis.
Sustainable CT
Aims to provide municipalities with a menu of coordinated, voluntary actions, to continually become more sustainable; to provide resources and tools to assist municipalities in implementing sustainability actions and advancing their programs for the benefit of all residents; and to certify and recognize municipalities for their ongoing sustainability achievements.

Connecticut General Assembly (CGA) is the State Legislature

State Senators and Representatives: There are 36 state senators; each represents about 100,000 people in their district. There are 151 representatives; each represents about 22,000 people. Connecticut legislators are elected during even-numbered years and serve two-year terms with no term limits. As of September 12, 2023, Democrats maintained a 98-53 margin in the House and a 24-12 advantage in the Senate.* Find your senator and rep here

Legislative Session: Connecticut has a part-time legislature (though you can reach out to your lawmakers anytime!). Odd-numbered years run January to June and focus on passing the state budget, while even-numbered years run February to May. During the first half of session, the House and Senate usually only meet one day a week, but daily near the end. The rest of the time, your reps attend committee meetings and hearings.

Committees: There are 26 committees ranging from Environment to Transportation, from Public Health to Energy & Technology. Committees hold public hearings, listen to testimony, and send legislation on to the full General Assembly for a final vote. See all committees and members here

Ballotpedia profile of CGA
Ballotpedia is a nonprofit digital encyclopedia of American politics and elections whose goal is to inform people about politics by providing accurate and objective information about politics at all levels of government.
Connecticut House of Representatives Journal
The Connecticut House of Representatives Journal is available in print in Shain Library and online here.
Connecticut Senate Journal
The Journal of the Senate of the State of Connecticut is available in print in Shain Library and online here.
Connecticut State Register and Manual
A treasure house of factual information from the official record keeper for the State of Connecticut, available in print in Shain Library and online here.
CT State Legislature Bill Information Search
Search this database to find bills related to your topic. Try different keywords to find what you are looking for. E.g. if bottle bill doesn't yield results try searching for related synonyms, such as recycling or plastic. You can filter by year and political party.
Environmental Scorecard
The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters grades legislators on a 0% to 100% scale based on their votes on environmental bills in committees, the Senate, and the House. Each scorecard is a guide to the major environmental issues at play in each legislative session.
General Statutes of Connecticut
The General Statutes of Connecticut are the official codified public acts (as well as special acts that impact the public) of the State of Connecticut.
Law & Legislation Guide from CT State Library
Law & Legislative Reference Services at CT State Library serves as the permanent home of CGA official transcripts and legislative bill files. Their reference staff assist members of the public, students, state employees, attorneys, and others in their legal and legislative research.
Major Acts (Office of Legislative Research)
These summaries briefly describe the most significant, far-reaching, and publicly debated acts adopted by the General Assembly.
Major Issues (Office of Legislative Research)
Every year, legislative leaders ask the Office of Legislative Research (OLR) to identify and provide brief descriptions of important issues that the General Assembly may face in the upcoming session.
Make your voice heard (CT-N)
Learn how to testify at a legislative public hearning. CT-N shows you how with these videos and links that educate you on the process and help you better prepare.
Office of Legislative Research (OLR)
Provides nonpartisan, objective research for all 187 members of the Connecticut General Assembly and their caucus staff. OLR analysts draft bill analyses (plain language summaries) that appear in the file copies of all favorably reported bills; summarize public acts and publish separate reports identifying major acts and the impact of various provisions on particular occupations, industries, and groups; write research reports on a wide range of topics for legislators and committees; respond to research requests; staff legislative committees; and provide other services to the Legislature as needed.
Public & Special Acts
Public Acts tend to be general in nature and applicable to everyone in Connecticut, while Special Acts tend to apply only to a particular group, a particular geography, or at a particular time within the state.