Connecticut GOP Pushes Bill to Curb State Employee Telework

HARTFORD, Conn. (Day.News) — Connecticut House Bill 5705, titled 'An Act Limiting Remote Work For State Employees,' was introduced on Jan. 21, 2025, by Rep. Mark W. Anderson (R-62nd District) and co-sponsored by Rep. Anne Dauphinais (R-44th District).[1][3][8] The partisan Republican proposal seeks to amend state statutes to restrict telework, overriding existing collective bargaining or arbitration agreements, amid ongoing discussions about state employee performance in hybrid setups.[1][8][9] Referred immediately to the Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees, the bill remains at 25% progression with no further action as of early 2026.[1][3] Proponents argue it addresses fiscal impacts and productivity concerns, echoing a related 2025 Senate Bill 220 by Sen. Heather S. Somers (R-18th District), which calls for a study of remote work's effects on state operations.[4] AFT Connecticut, representing state workers, has voiced opposition, noting a public hearing on the measure to reduce telework options.[9] The push contrasts with Connecticut's 2021 remote work tax relief signed by Gov. Ned Lamont (D), which retroactively exempted 2020 home-based employees from creating corporate tax nexus and offered credits for cross-state commuters.[2] No recent legislation expands permanent telework for agencies like the Department of Children and Families, despite pandemic-driven shifts; instead, current efforts focus on reining in flexibility to boost in-office presence across Hartford's state complex.[1][2] As the 2025 session progresses, the bill highlights tensions between modern work preferences and demands for accountability in Connecticut's $28 billion state budget, where employee costs form a major chunk. Labor leaders warn of morale hits, while sponsors cite unproven remote efficiencies in public service roles.