Connecticut Senate Forms Tourism Marketing Group

0:00It's April 22nd. This is Hartford News Today, powered by AI. Connecticut State Senate just gave a unanimous thumbs up to Senate Bill 305, creating a working group to dive deep into statewide. Marketing and tourism efforts. They voted 35-0 with one Senator Absin, and now the bill heads to the House for their take. The group pulls in big players like reps from the Commerce Committee, the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Office of Policy, and Management, the Governor's Office, and the Connecticut Tourism Council. Their job is a full review of investments and participation in promoting the state. Senator Joan Hartley, co-chair of the Commerce Committee, stressed how vital it is to scrutinize where the money goes for state promotion. Tourism Marketing funding has tanked, dropping from $12.1 million in fiscal year 2022 to just $4.5 million. For fiscal year 2026, a 63 percent cut. A few other bills this session pushed a pump up

1:02that funding, showing lawmakers see tourism as key to the economy. This working group could spark real changes. The group has until January 1st, 2027, to drop their report and recommendations before wrapping up, so keep an eye on how the House responds to keep Connecticut on the map.