Government of Connecticut

The Government of Connecticut is guarded and established by the Connecticut Constitution. Connecticut became a 5th state of the United States on January 9, 1788 ^[1]. The government of Connecticut is divided into three distinct branches, namely the Executive branch, the Legislative branch and the Judicial branch.

Connecticut Executive Branch

The Connecticut Executive Branch is a well functioning body of the government of Connecticut and several state government departments work under the executive branch. Executive branch comprises of 18 departments and 56 agencies. The Governor of Connecticut leads the executive branch of the government as the chief executive head. The executive branch of Connecticut is led by the Governor. The governor may serve the State for any number of terms but not more than two consecutive terms. The state also elects through voting 4 other executive officers, namely, Secretary of the State, Comptroller, Treasurer and Attorney General. Each officer may be elected for four-year terms.

Learn more: Connecticut Executive Branch

Under the Constitution of Connecticut -

The governor of Connecticut also has the power to forbid the law enacted by the state legislature and can also cancel certain particular provisions in the bill.
All superior court judges and county prosecutors are also appointed by the governor.

Office of the Governor of Connecticut:
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue Executive

Hartford, Connecticut 06106
Tel: (860) 566-4840
Toll-Free: (800) 406-1527
TDD: (860) 524-7397
Fax: (860) 524-7395

Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut:
State Capitol
Room 304
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, Ct 06106
Tel: (860) 524-7384
Toll-Free: (866) 712-6998
TDD: (860) 524-7397

The lieutenant governor is next in line to serve as acting governor in the governor's absence from the state, disability of the governor, unfortunate event of governor's death, resignation or terminated due to impeachment.

Other Elected Officials include-

Office of the Attorney General

The Attorney General of the State of Connecticut is the highest ranking law enforcement officer for the state. He/she is the head of the Department of Law, and is regarded as the State's chief legal officer.

Contact Details:
55 Elm St., Hartford 06106
Attorney General - (860) 808-5318
Deputy Attorney General - (860) 808-5320

Office of the Secretary of the State

The Secretary of State is a constitutionally elected official in the executive branch of state government. The secretary has many duties and responsibilities to fulfill for the state, including administration of elections and providing certain business services to the public.

Contact Details:
30 Trinity Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Telephone: (860) 509-6200

O ffice of the State Comptroller

The State Comptroller is the State’s chief fiscal officer and he/she has the responsibility to ensure that tax payers' money is used effectively and genuinely by the State and local governments for the upliftment of the state.

Contact Details:
55 Elm Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
Telephone: (860) 702-3300
E-mail: Comptroller.Lembo@ct.gov

Office of the State Treasurer

The State Treasurer is responsible to efficiently manage the finances and public resources. The Treasurer also has the responsibility to overview cash management, debt management, pension funds etc. of the state

Contact Details:
55 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-1797
Telephone: (860) 702-3010

Connecticut Legislative Branch

Connecticut Legislature is the body of the state government of Connecticut which is divided into two separate bodies, namely State Senate and House of Representatives. All legislators must reside in their respective districts they represent. The two legislatures meet in the Legislative Building at the Connecticut Capitol in Hartford.

Contact Details:
Connecticut Legislative Office Building:
300 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

Learn more: Connecticut Legislative Branch

The Connecticut State Senate is the upper house of the state legislature and consists of 36 state senators. The Connecticut House of Representatives is the lower house of the Connecticut legislature, consisting of 151 members. The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the assembly who is elected by the members of the house through a House resolution. It is a leadership position and he/she must administer the majority party agenda and delegate the duty to the members of the house.

Learn more:

Connecticut State Senate

Connecticut House of Representatives

Connecticut Judicial Branch

Under the Connecticut Constitution, the Judiciary branch applies and interprets laws and regulations to ensure justice in the state. The judicial system of Connecticut is served by numerous efficient professionally trained judges. The courts in state consist of Supreme Court, Appellate Court, Superior Court and Probate Court.

Learn more: Connecticut Judicial Branch

Connecticut Supreme Court

Supreme Court is Connecticut's court of highest appeal consisting of a Chief Justice and 6 Associate Justices. The court is led by the Chief Justice of Connecticut. The proceedings of the Supreme Court are such that no testimony is required by witnesses and each party’s lawyers put forward oral arguments of maximum thirty minutes. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to decide on the constitutionality of the law or cases which are related to the law.
Judiciary

Contact Details:
231 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut
Telephone: 860-757-2200

Lear more: Connecticut Supreme Court

Connecticut Appellate Court

The Connecticut Appellate Court is the court of Intermediate appeal. The court has legal power over matters in civil and criminal cases (except for death penalty cases) appealed from superior court and also reviews matters from other lower courts.

Contact Details:
75 Elm Street, Hartford
Filing Address:
231 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
Telephone: 860- 757-2200
Fax: 860-757-2217

Judges' Secretaries: 860-713-2192
Fax: 860-713-2216

Office hours: 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Connecticut Superior Court

The Superior Court is divided into 4 divisions, including criminal; civil; juvenile and family matters.

Connecticut Superior Court Contact Details

Civil Division

Civil Division handles cases involving suing someone to safeguard personal, civil, or property rights. A Judge, jury or non judicial officer may decide all cases, based on the choices of the parties and the type of claim. Small claims cases, such as landlord-tenant cases are generally handled by geographical area courts. Judicial district courthouses hear civil jury, administrative appeals and non-jury cases. Special tax session hears all tax cases.

Cases include-

Personal or automobile accidents
Product or professional liability disputes
Landlord-tenant disputes
Disputed contracts

There are 5 parts of the Civil Division, namely-

Administrative Appeals
Civil Jury
Civil Non-Jury
Landlord-Tenant, including evictions (called summary process)
Small Claims

Criminal Division

Criminal Division hears cases involving someone who has been accused and prosecuted of breaking the law by state. A state's attorney represent the state. Most of the criminal cases other than the most severe cases are handled in the state's geographical area courts.

Based on the degree of the offense, criminal cases are divided into 3 kinds, including-

Crimes which include misdemeanors and felonies
Infractions. Eg. Traffic tickets.
Violations which include motor vehicle cases (punishable by a fine only)

Family Division

All cases related to family and juvenile relationships are heard by Family Division. Judicial district courthouses hear most family cases. Juvenile court facilities hear juvenile cases.

Cases include-

Divorce
Child custody
Child support
Relief from abuse (temporary restraining orders)
Juvenile delinquency
Child abuse and neglect
Termination of parental rights. Most family cases are heard in judicial district courthouses.

Juvenile Division

It is Superior Court's special subdivision that is dedicated to safeguard children's' rights, family confidentiality and relationships. The state has twelve Juvenile Courts.

Cases include-

Termination of parental rights
Delinquency (crimes committed by children under age 16)
Emancipation of a minor
Families with service need (FWSN) (a family with a child under age 16 who has bad behavior).
Neglected or uncared for children and youth

Juvenile Matters Divisions

Connecticut Probate Court

Connecticut's Probate Courts oversee-

Decedents' estates and trusts
Sensitive issues that affect elderly, children, individuals with intellectual disability and with psychiatric disabilities.

Office of the Probate Court Administrator
186 Newington Road West Hartford, CT 06110
Telephone: 860-231-2442

Hours of Operation: 8am-5pm

Also read: Probate Court Guidelines

Connecticut Taxation

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services manages and administers a standard tax laws in the state. Tax laws include entire laws and taxes on income, sales, property, luxury, bingo, and estate. Before the state follow an investment-only income tax system and later amendments were made in the system in which equal taxes on employment and investment income were levied at a highest rate of 4%.

Important Tax Rates: ^[2]

The income tax rates are divided into six brackets and the maximum marginal income tax rate was hiked to 6.7%. The six income tax brackets are 3%; 5%; 5.5%; 6.0%; 6.5% and 6.7%.
The general sales and use tax rate - 6.35%
The room occupancy tax - 15%
The tax on the rental or leasing of a passenger motor vehicle for a period of 30 consecutive calendar days or less - 9.35%
The sale for more than $50,000 of most motor vehicles, jewellery (whether real or imitation)- 7%
The sale for more than $100,000 of a vessel, an article of clothing or footwear - 7%
All tobacco products - 50% of the wholesale sales price of such products
Alcoholic beverages tax rates - hike of 20%
All real and personal property assessment rate - 70% of fair market value

Connecticut State Agencies or Executive Offices

Several state agencies operate concurrently with the state government to manage and administer the workings of various departments of the state.

Given below are some of the main state agencies of Connecticut.

Connecticut State Department of Education

The Connecticut State Department of Education under the leadership of the state Superintendent of Public Instruction is serving the state to ensure excellent education system. It is the administrative body of the State Board of Education of Connecticut. The department operates to improve the public education Institutes

system and also to enhance student academic achievements and outputs. The department’s mission is to provide world class education and best values to the students to ensure success in education, workplace and in every spheres of life.

Contact Details:
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-713-6543
Website: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/site/default.asp

Connecticut Department of Administrative Services

The department offers the following administrative services-

State Employment Jobs, Exams and Special Notices
State Procurement Marketplace
State Property Surplus Program
Leasing and Property Transfers
Statewide Human Resources Administration
DAS Workers' Compensation Administration
Fleet Operations
DAS Contractor Prequalification Program
Bureau of Properties and Facilities Maintenance

Contact Details:
165 Capitol Ave
Hartford, CT, 06106
Phone: (860) 713-5850
Fax: (860) 713-7255
Website: http://das.ct.gov/mp1.aspx?page=9

Connecticut Department of Public Health

Connecticut Department of Health works efficiently to improve the health and living standards of the community by implementing many health regulating services and policies. The health department also has its sub divisions which provide all vital records and health statistics of the state. The health department also focuses on community and environmental health so that people lives a healthy life.

Contact Details:
410 Capitol Avenue
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134
Phone: 860-509-8000
Website: http://www.ct.gov/dph/site/default.asp

Complete Contact Details of the Department

Connecticut Department of Transportation

Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) overviews the entire transportation network of the state to ensure safe and easy commuting of people and goods. ConnDOT owns, manages and maintains numerous lane-miles of roadway, bridges, tunnels, rails and also responsible for air and water quality, communities and roadsides. transportation system

Contact Details:
2800 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06111
Phone: 860-594-2000
Website: http://www.ct.gov/dot/site/default.asp

Connecticut Department of Military Affairs

Connecticut Department of Military Affairs is a significant department which serves as a guardian of the state. The department operates as the homeland defence, homeland security, and emergency mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery activities to protect the citizens of Connecticut, their property and the environment.

Contact Details:
State Armory 360 Broad Street
Hartford, CT 06105-3706
Phone: (860) 524-4953
Website: http://www.ct.gov/mil/site/default.asp

Complete Telephone Directory of the Department

References:

Connecticut Statehood
Connecticut Tax Rates