CT State Senator Christine Cohen highlights some her most impactful policy work

Connecticut State Senator, small business owner, and NewDEAL Leader Christine Cohen highlights the key policy initiatives she’s championed in the State Senate — from paid family leave to environmental protection — and how they reflect her pragmatic, pro-business, and values-driven approach to leadership.

Listen to the full episode:    • How Government Can Support Small Businesse...  

Senator Cohen reflects on the major legislative wins she’s helped deliver during her time in the Connecticut State Senate with a focus on policies that support working families, small businesses, and a healthier environment.

Senator Cohen shares why she became a vocal advocate for paid family and medical leave, framing it not just as a moral imperative but a pro-business policy that benefits employers and employees alike. Drawing on her own experiences as a small business owner, she discusses the real challenges of offering benefits like healthcare — and why she’s also pushed for a public option to make coverage more affordable for small businesses across the state.

She also dives into her environmental leadership as Senate Chair of the Environment Committee, where she spearheaded initiatives like Connecticut’s plastic bag ban and a landmark ban on PFAS “forever chemicals.” Now as Chair of the Transportation Committee, she’s continuing this work by addressing transportation emissions through the Connecticut Clean Air Act, a major legislative milestone she co-authored with fellow NewDEAL Leader Will Haskell. Her efforts to promote public transit and electric vehicle adoption are driven by a vision of positive environmental, economic, and quality-of-life outcomes for Connecticut residents.

Tune in to hear how Senator Cohen is tackling complex issues with common-sense solutions, and leading the charge for a more sustainable, inclusive, and business-friendly future.