On July 5, 2011, Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy signed into law the nation’s first statewide paid sick day law. The law gives an estimated 300,000 new workers in Connecticut – many of them hourly or service industry workers - the ability to earn paid sick days from their employer. This historic passage makes Connecticut the first state in the nation to pass this type of legislation, a victory that was four years in the making.

Partnering with the Connecticut Coalition for Working Families, Anzalone Liszt Research helped identify the elements of paid sick day legislation that resonated best with voters – the positive impacts that the legislation would have on Connecticut’s communities, families, and children. The Coalition invested in paid media surrounding the bill, highlighting these positives. Additionally, Anzalone Liszt found that Connecticut voters rejected the notion that this legislation would hurt businesses and the local economy, an argument espoused by the bill’s opponents during the debate. 

The research found that voters do not view this as a partisan issue – a majority of Democratic, Independent, and Republican voters all supported the bill. Moreover, voters were more willing to support a public official who got behind the legislation in the next election. The research helped inform legislators and the press about public attitudes towards the issue.

In the end, the state Senate narrowly passed the bill 18 to 17, followed by a House vote passing it 76 to 65. Anzalone Liszt Research is continuing its work helping states and localities pass paid sick day legislation, including recent efforts in Philadelphia and Denver.