A Message from CRA President & CEO | 2025 CT Legislative Session Kicks Off Today
Dear Connecticut Hospitality Community,
Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, I want to take a moment to thank our members for the continued commitment to Connecticut’s restaurant industry and support of the Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA). With the legislative session kicking off today and running through June 4th, I wanted to share some important updates and ways you can get involved in our advocacy efforts this year.
Minimum Wage Update
First, an important reminder that as of January 1st, the minimum wage in Connecticut increased from $15.69 per hour to $16.35 per hour. Thanks to CRA’s advocacy in 2019, we successfully secured a freezing and decoupling of the tip credit from these increases in minimum wage. This means:
- Server tip credit remains at $6.38 per hour.
- Bartender tip credit remains at $8.23 per hour.
These were important wins for our industry, and they would not have happened without your support and the collective strength of our members.
CGA Legislative Session
Now, we’ll need your support and energy to continue in 2025. (If you are not already a CRA Member, join here!) Part of the Connecticut Restaurant Association’s commitment to the industry includes protecting your interests at the State Capitol. While we expect a range of issues to come forward, some of the key topics impacting our industry include:
- Labor issues: Preserving the tip credit to maintain competitive wages for servers and bartenders.
- Swipe fees: Continued advocacy to prevent credit card companies from charging interchange fees on sales taxes which burden small businesses.
- Meals & Beverage Tax: Continuing to explore ways to have this revenue be invested back in the industries where it is generated.
We will be closely monitoring these and other emerging bills and concepts, ensuring your voice is heard at every step. Once the legislative process is underway, we will send updates on key legislation and how you can get involved. Members - you'll receive timely updates through our new Advocacy in Action emails.
Stay Informed and Get Involved
We know advocacy is stronger when everyone is engaged. Here are some ways you can stay involved and informed:
- Active Membership: Dues revenue supports our ability to have the best and brightest minds working to protect and advance our industry here in Connecticut. Our dedicated team of professionals includes CRA leadership & staff, our contract lobbyist, our hospitality legal team, a government relations PR firm, plus a Board of Directors made up of experienced restaurateurs from across the state. Membership dues renewals will be sent soon - keep an eye out for your 2025 invoice. New to the CRA? Sign up here.
- Advocacy Text Alerts: Sign up here to receive timely updates on legislative issues and action opportunities.
- “Advocacy in Action” Emails: Members can keep up to date by reading our monthly updates, packed with everything you need to know about the issues affecting our industry. The frequency of these updates will increase during the legislative session.
- Attend Legislative Events: We’ll notify you about public hearings, committee meetings, and events at the Capitol where your voice can make a difference. If you are interested in serving on the Legislative Committee, please contact us.
The CRA’s success in advocating for the restaurant community depends on your involvement. Together, we’ll continue to tackle the challenges ahead to ensure our industry can continue to thrive here in Connecticut. Your support fuels the work we do every day.
Thank you for being part of the CRA family. Here’s to a productive 2025 legislative session!
Best regards,
Scott Dolch
President & CEO
Connecticut Restaurant Association