Month: April 2017

Fact Check: Republican Budget Raises Taxes $144 Million in First Year

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Fact Check: Republican Budget Raises Taxes $144 Million in First Year

Statements from Senate Democratic Leadership on the Republican Budget

Senate Democratic leadership today released the following statements concerning the Republican budget:

“At first glance, the Republican budget appears ostensibly responsible; however, a closer examination proves that not to be the case,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “The Republicans spent months apparently engaged in the Appropriations subcommittee process, all along giving us hopes of a bipartisan agreement they never intended to realize. It is duplicitous. It’s time to go to the negotiating table and get to work.”

“The Republicans crafted this half-baked budget in secret and without any transparency or public hearings,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “Buyers beware. The Republican budget raises lots of taxes, despite their rhetoric. Car taxes and property taxes will significantly increase for the middle class. In a sentence, ‘You can’t eat cake and lose weight’ and this is what their proposal wants people to believe.”

Republican Budget Facts

Raises Taxes

  • The Republican budget raises taxes $144 million in just one year by:
    • Raising taxes $55 million on Connecticut homeowners
      • The Republican tax plan eliminates the $200 property tax credit for those who are not elderly or do not have dependents
    • Raising taxes $25 million on the working poor
      • The Republican tax plan cuts the Earned Income Tax Credit to 25 percent of the Federal EITC
    • Raising taxes $64 million on car drivers
      • The Republican tax plan ends the Democratic initiative to cut car taxes for residents in towns with a mill rate higher than 37
  • These tax increases will come right out of the pockets of Connecticut families. These are direct tax increases on the people of our state.

Cuts Funding to Towns and Cities

  • The Republican budget cuts $340 million in funding to municipalities in first year
    • Eliminates the Municipal Revenue Sharing Account (MRSA) and takes the full 0.5 percent of the sales tax and adds it to the General Fund

Cuts Funding to Transportation

  • The Republican budget cuts $340 million in funding to the Special Transportation Fund (STF) in first year
    • Transfers 0.5 percent of the sales tax from STF and adds it to the General Fund
  • Violates the Transportation Lockbox they seek to create
    • Sweeps sales tax from STF

Secretive, Partisan Budget

  • The Republican budget was written behind closed doors without any input from Democrats.
  • While Democrats were working with Republicans in public crafting a bi-partisan budget, Republicans were drafting their own secret tax increase on homeowners, car drivers and the working poor.

Ends Open and Clean Elections

  • The Republican budget eliminates public financing for the Citizens Election Program

New Britain Lawmakers Announce Approval of Funding for New Columbus Commons Housing Construction

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New Britain Lawmakers Announce Approval of Funding for New Columbus Commons Housing Construction

Mixed-use building will provide affordable housing options near CTFastrak Station

Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) joined the other members of New Britain’s legislative delegation to announce the approval of funding for a mixed-use property in the vacant lot that used to hold New Britain’s old police station. The new building, which will be called “Columbus Commons,” will include commercial space for retail, office space and restaurants, along with 80 new housing units. The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) approved $16 million in equity funding today, which will allow construction to begin on this project.

“This is something that I have been working on for some time now, and I’m just thrilled that we will finally see this project come to fruition,” said Senator Gerratana. “Growing the transit-oriented district around CTFastrak is exactly what New Britain needs to grow our economy and move the city forward. Additionally, the city desperately needs to expand its housing stock, and Columbus Commons will greatly help us do that.”

“It is encouraging to receive news that the Columbus Commons project is moving forward,” Representative Bobby Sanchez (D-New Britain) said. “The anticipation to seeing this complex completed has been building up and we are thrilled to see funding allocated to keep it going. This development will enhance the appeal and prosperity of our city by creating an area that utilizes smart design to create a family-friendly, walkable neighborhood.”

“I’m so pleased we got this money approved. This project is an important part of New Britain’s future success,” said Representative Peter Tercyak (D-New Britain). “Betty Boukus should be smiling from heaven right now. She worked very hard to secure the bonding that made this project possible.”

“After being awarded $16 million in funding, the Columbus Commons project, which was proposed more than a year ago, is set to become a reality. This development promises to be a flagship facility,” said state Representative Rick Lopes (D-New Britain). “Not only will it revitalize New Britain’s downtown, but it will also serve as a space for the community to gather. It is vital that we continue to invest in our local infrastructure to gain new residents, job opportunities and sources of revenue.”

Columbus Commons will have commercial space available on the first floor, with apartment above. Of the 80 housing unit available, 64 will be priced to meet affordable housing guidelines. Additionally, Columbus Commons will provide supportive services for eight chronically homeless individuals and eight families with special needs.

Fact Check: Republican Budget Raises Taxes $144 Million in First Year

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Fact Check: Republican Budget Raises Taxes $144 Million in First Year

Statements from Senate Democratic Leadership on the Republican Budget

Senate Democratic leadership today released the following statements concerning the Republican budget:

“At first glance, the Republican budget appears ostensibly responsible; however, a closer examination proves that not to be the case,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “The Republicans spent months apparently engaged in the Appropriations subcommittee process, all along giving us hopes of a bipartisan agreement they never intended to realize. It is duplicitous. It’s time to go to the negotiating table and get to work.”

“The Republicans crafted this half-baked budget in secret and without any transparency or public hearings,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “Buyers beware. The Republican budget raises lots of taxes, despite their rhetoric. Car taxes and property taxes will significantly increase for the middle class. In a sentence, ‘You can’t eat cake and lose weight’ and this is what their proposal wants people to believe.”

Republican Budget Facts

Raises Taxes

  • The Republican budget raises taxes $144 million in just one year by:
    • Raising taxes $55 million on Connecticut homeowners
      • The Republican tax plan eliminates the $200 property tax credit for those who are not elderly or do not have dependents
    • Raising taxes $25 million on the working poor
      • The Republican tax plan cuts the Earned Income Tax Credit to 25 percent of the Federal EITC
    • Raising taxes $64 million on car drivers
      • The Republican tax plan ends the Democratic initiative to cut car taxes for residents in towns with a mill rate higher than 37
  • These tax increases will come right out of the pockets of Connecticut families. These are direct tax increases on the people of our state.

Cuts Funding to Towns and Cities

  • The Republican budget cuts $340 million in funding to municipalities in first year
    • Eliminates the Municipal Revenue Sharing Account (MRSA) and takes the full 0.5 percent of the sales tax and adds it to the General Fund

Cuts Funding to Transportation

  • The Republican budget cuts $340 million in funding to the Special Transportation Fund (STF) in first year
    • Transfers 0.5 percent of the sales tax from STF and adds it to the General Fund
  • Violates the Transportation Lockbox they seek to create
    • Sweeps sales tax from STF

Secretive, Partisan Budget

  • The Republican budget was written behind closed doors without any input from Democrats.
  • While Democrats were working with Republicans in public crafting a bi-partisan budget, Republicans were drafting their own secret tax increase on homeowners, car drivers and the working poor.

Ends Open and Clean Elections

  • The Republican budget eliminates public financing for the Citizens Election Program

Senator Winfield E-News: Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget Your Medicine Cabinet!

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Sen. Moore E-news: Apprenticeship Career Fair; Good Economic News

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Sen. Gerratana E-news: Connecticut Named a Top State for Children’s Health Care

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Statement From Senate President Martin Looney on Today’s Appropriations Meeting

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Statement From Senate President Martin Looney on Today’s Appropriations Meeting

Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) released the following statement regarding the Appropriations Committee not voting on a budget today:

“I want to set the record straight about what happened today in the Appropriations Committee. Led by their outstanding Chairwoman, Senator Cathy Osten, every Senate Democrat on the committee from across the political spectrum was prepared and committed to vote to move the process forward on a balanced budget and they are deeply disappointed that they were unable to do so today.

“I commend Senator Osten and her Senate Democratic colleagues on the extraordinary amount of work they put into this budget and share in their disappointment that it was not called for a vote. Our work does not end here. We will continue fighting for a fair, balanced budget that the people of Connecticut deserve and that will responsibly move our state toward future growth.”

Statement From Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney on Facebook Comments Directed at State Senator George Logan

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Statement From Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney on Facebook Comments Directed at State Senator George Logan

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) today released the following statement regarding comments posted on Facebook directed at State Senator George Logan (R-Ansonia).

“In this era of heightened political insensitivity, there is no place at the national or local level to use race, religion sexual orientation or economic status as a barometer of an individual’s worth,” said Senator Looney. “These types of statements directed at Senator Logan are just wrong—regardless of party—and do not belong in our public discourse.”

Sen. Bye Helps Break Ground on Burlington Library Expansion

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Sen. Bye Helps Break Ground on Burlington Library Expansion

State grant will help pay for one-third the cost of a major expansion

BURLINGTON—The town library expansion that has been nearly a decade in the making took a major step forward today with the groundbreaking of the $3.1 million project, of which the State of Connecticut is contributing $1 million.

Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) joined about 30 local town, library and building officials today to turn a ceremonial shovelful of earth on the project that will increase the size of the Burlington Public Library by approximately 40 percent, adding 3,500 square feet to the existing 8,950 square-foot library.

“This is a big project for the Burlington community, one that will be here for generations,” Sen. Bye said. “I’m really proud that the state has a fund specifically to help libraries in Connecticut. It shows the great partnership that exists between the state and all its various cities and towns, which is why we have one of the best qualities of life in America right here in Connecticut.”

State Librarian Kendall F. Wiggin agrees.

“The one million dollar state grant represents a belief by the Connecticut legislature that libraries are important in Connecticut—not just for books, but as places for people to meet and come together as a community,” Wiggin said. “This money from the state is an important and significant contribution to this project.”

The new library addition will feature interior renovations throughout the existing building; a 100-seat public meeting room with its own entrance, two conference rooms, additional bathrooms, a larger kitchen, a dedicated teen room, a larger local history room with increased storage, an expansion of the children’s room, and other site improvements.

In December 2013 the State Library Board—using funds provided in the state budget—approved a $1 million construction grant for Burlington. In March 2015, Burlington voters approved borrowing up to $3.125 million (minus the state’s $1 million) to build the addition.

McCrory Teams With Community Volunteers to Spruce-Up Rawson School on Comcast Cares Day

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McCrory Teams With Community Volunteers to Spruce-Up Rawson School on Comcast Cares Day

photo of Senator McCrory.

State Senator Doug McCrory (D-Hartford) joined more than 400 local Comcast NBCUniversal employees, their families and others on Saturday, April 22 to “make change happen” as they volunteered to spruce-up the Sarah J. Rawson Elementary School in Hartford for Comcast Cares Day.

Sen. McCrory joined Comcast Cable President and CEO Dave Watson to work on indoor and outdoor beautification projects that included creating a green, sustainable and healthy outdoor space and makeovers to the school’s STEM and VEX Robotics rooms.

The Rawson School holds particular meaning for Sen. McCrory, who started his teaching career here and who greeted several former students among the volunteers who now work at Comcast.

“A lot has changed in 20 years; I think the Rawson School has gotten better, but it still needs some TLC,” Sen. McCrory said. “Today, I and a whole lot of good people from Comcast and the community made the type of commitment that makes a difference: we put our time and our energy into this school, just like parents and teachers do every day. And we had a whole lot of support from nonprofits and local businesses. It was a great day, a great show of caring for the school and all that Rawson means to Hartford.”

In addition to the school work, there was a special Earth Day tree-planting dedication and a surprise grant to the school for $25,000, courtesy of the Comcast Foundation.

A number of local nonprofit organizations including United Way of Central & Northeastern Connecticut, Urban League of Greater Hartford, Easterseals Capital Region and Eastern Connecticut, KNOX, Leadership Greater Hartford and Village for Families and Children, were also part of the festivities. Local businesses also contributed to the day’s success, with donations of services and materials. Voices of Women of Color, Madonna Electric, Big Y Foods Inc., Tri-Wire, Triple Stitch, Café Services, PPC, Ryan Business, Northern Nurseries, Inc, BTS Graphics & Printing, LLC and Accenture all pitched in and provided supplies from Legos, paint and mulch, to coffee, donuts, and more to feed the many volunteers.

From using technology to create positive change, such as wiring community centers and libraries and teaching digital literacy skills, to mentoring youth, to beautifying parks, Comcast NBCUniversal employees volunteer on Comcast Cares Day to make a lasting impact. This year, more than 100,000 volunteers participated in nearly 1,000 projects across the country and around the world. To date, volunteers have contributed nearly 5 million volunteer hours at 7,700 projects since Comcast Cares Day began in 2001.