HARTFORD, Conn.—From capping greenhouse gas emissions to banning smoking in the Indian casinos, the state legislature debated a variety of issues in the 2008 session. But many measures failed because leaders ultimately decided not to tinker with the budget that takes effect July 1.
Here's a look at some of the major winners and losers of the session:
WINNERS:
TEEN DRIVING -- Tougher rules for teen drivers, such as an 11 p.m. curfew, more behind-the-wheel training and parental attendance at driver education classes passed the General Assembly and were signed into law by Gov. M. Jodi Rell.
MINIMUM WAGE -- Lawmakers voted to boost the hourly wage from $7.65 to $8 beginning Jan. 1, 2009, and to $8.25 beginning Jan. 1, 2010. It's unclear if Rell will sign the bill.
GLOBAL WARMING -- Bill will make Connecticut the fifth state to adopt mandatory limits between now and 2020 on greenhouse gas pollution that contributes global warming. State agencies will be required to adopt policies to meet the new caps.
SAFE TOYS -- Lawmakers approved limits for lead in children's products. Any products that fail to comply will be banned and considered hazardous.
VOTING AGE -- Voters will be asked in November to amend the state constitution and allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries so long as they turn 18 by the general election.
MORTGAGE RELIEF -- Reacting to the subprime mortgage crisis, lawmakers passed a bill that includes new, affordable refinancing programs with flexible credit underwriting to help homeowners, and tightens restrictions on mortgage lenders.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE -- In the wake of two deadly home invasions in Cheshire and New Britain, a bill that toughens penalties for repeat offenders passed the General Assembly. But it's unclear if $10 million for more prosecutors, probation officers and other criminal justice workers will become reality given the state's deficit problems.
NOOSE HANGING -- Bill makes it a crime to use nooses to intimidate people. The legislation stems from several high-profile noose-hanging incidents in Connecticut.
HEALTH INSURANCE -- A campaign to open up the state employee health insurance program to small businesses, municipalities and nonprofit agencies to help them save money made it's way through the session. But it's questionable whether Rell will sign the bill.
PRESERVATION -- A steering committee is created that will oversee efforts to preserve open space land, restore historic buidings and protect the state's character over the next decade. Advocates hope $100 million a year will ultimately be dedicated to the cause.
METAL THEFT -- Scrap metal processors are required to record certain information for all loads of scrap metal purchased or received, including a description, weight and price paid for the load. Also, the person who delivered the load must be identified.
LOSERS:CASINO SMOKING -- An effort to ban smoking in the state's two tribal casinos was snuffed out after the House of Representatives failed to take the bill up for a vote.
BOTTLE BILL -- A push to expand the longtime bottle redemption bill to include plastic containers for water, juice, sports drinks and flavored teas has fallen flat once again.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE -- Because of the decision to stick with the 2008-09 budget approved last year, funding was not included to provide rental assistance to public housing tenants.
PLASTIC BAG BAN -- Despite concerns about plastic grocery bags littering the environment, a bill that would have stopped stores from using them died during the legislative process.
SMOKING IN CARS -- A move to ban smoking in a motor vehicle while traveling with a young child fell short. It was modeled after the state's child restraint system law.
WITCHES -- Even though many lawmakers are history buffs, a resolution aimed at restoring the good names of people convicted of witchcraft in Connecticut during Colonial times died early on the legislative session.
CLOTHESLINES -- While there was a lot of debate over the so-called "right to dry," a bill that would have stopped condominium associations and municipalities from forbidding clotheslines never made it out of the legislature.
ICE MISSLES -- Legislation penalizing people who don't clean the snow and ice from the roofs of their vehicles melted away.
OPEN CONTAINER -- A bill banning passengers from having an open container of alcohol got snagged in the House of Representatives after hours of debate. It marked the second year in a row that the issue has died in the House.
