Exodus 20:14 – End of session marked by departures, tension between Dem caucuses

HARTFORD, Conn. –The 2014 legislative session concluded at midnight Wednesday, marking the end of more than 18 lawmakers’ careers — perhaps the most simultaneous legislative retirements since the passage of the income tax.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Democratic lawmakers praised the early-session passage of legislation raising the state minimum wage to $10.10 by 2017. But the final day’s usual rapid-fire passage of bills was slowed this year by farewell tributes and an unusual level of procrastination on the huge bill implementing the state budget.

The Senate took more than five hours during the final day to bid farewell to Senate President Donald Williams (D-29) and Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (R-28). In the House, lawmakers recognized several outgoing members, including Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero (R-142).

In the final seconds of the legislative session, Cafero thanked House Speaker Brendan Sharkey (D-88) for being fair and offered what sounded like a public rebuttal of the Senate. Cafero said Sharkey respected the legislative process — a clear nod at the Senate’s grass seed bill, which did not go through the normal committee process.

See the complete story at CT News Junkie.