Mitch Bolinsky

Newtown Lawmakers Back House Republican Plan to Deliver Real Affordability Relief, with Permanent Property Tax Solution

HARTFORD – State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) and Martin Foncello (R-107) expressed their strong support for a House Republican proposal aimed at addressing one of Connecticut residents’ top concerns: affordability. Both Bolinsky and Foncello gave their full support for the plan's focus on providing practical relief to Connecticut taxpayers. At the unveiling, House Republicans highlighted two key priorities: recovering tax revenue currently lost to neighboring states and expanding eligibility for Connecticut’s property tax credit to help more families keep more of their income. “Affordability is the issue I hear about most from families in Newtown,” Rep. Bolinsky said. “People are dealing with rising property taxes, higher utility bills, and the growing cost of everyday necessities. Before asking taxpayers for more, Connecticut should focus on collecting the taxes that are already owed and using those resources to provide meaningful relief.” The proposal would more than double the state property tax credit—raising the maximum from $300 to $650—while broadening income eligibility to reach more than 800,000 filers across Connecticut. The plan also calls for stronger efforts to recover tax dollars currently going uncollected—particularly revenue lost to neighboring states such as New York—and reinvesting those funds in Connecticut. Bolinsky and Foncello also support expanding eligibility for the state’s property tax credit, which would allow more middle-class families, seniors, and working households to benefit from targeted tax relief. Rep. Foncello noted that New York's "convenience of employer" rule, which diverts millions in Connecticut-earned income tax dollars to Albany every year from Connecticut residents who are employed by New York companies but working from their homes, isn't the only front where New York is winning at Connecticut's expense. "Another prime example is the gas pipeline running through Brookfield, which Connecticut can't tap into. That infrastructure, which the company wants to expand, only benefits New York while Brookfield residents take on all the security and environmental risks," said Rep. Foncello. More information about the House Republican affordability proposal is available here: https://www.cthousegop.com/new-york-is-eating-our-lunch .

Bolinsky Backs Effort to Expand Home-Based Oral Health Care

HARTFORD, CT — State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R–Newtown), Ranking Member of the State’s Aging Committee, voiced strong support for a consensus committee bill that will expand access to routine, preventative oral health care services to include homebound Connecticut residents. At a press conference hosted by the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI), Rep. Bolinsky joined fellow lawmakers, dental professionals, and advocates in urging passage of House Bill 5303 . The proposal would allow licensed dental hygienists to provide preventive oral health care directly in patients’ homes. The bill, which passed unanimously out of the Aging Committee, would permit hygienists with at least two years of experience to deliver services—including cleanings, oral exams, X-rays, and referrals—in private residences under the same standards currently applied in nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and group homes. “This is exactly the kind of common-sense legislation that our Aging Committee always agrees upon, and the reason we pass so much good, non-partisan policy”, said Rep. Bolinsky , who continued, “There’s never a bill that passes out of this committee with surprises. We keep things simple by focusing on the well-being of our Seniors, as well as expanding the “portability” of Aging-in-Place services for folks that may otherwise be unable to access preventative care. We also engage our stakeholders early, knowing many of them will be the ultimate administrators of the programs we make portable. It’s this kind of transparency, and genuinely open idea-exchange that helps our committee pass our priority bills with unanimous, or near unanimous support. This “unity of purpose” makes our team very special.” Aging committee Co-Chair, Representative Jane Garibay (D–Windsor/Windsor Locks), kicked-off the event, by emphasizing the importance of removing barriers to care for vulnerable populations, and Dr. Frank Amaefuna , a CT dentist and COHI board member spoke in support saying, “When patients go years without seeing a dental professional, they are more likely to experience preventable issues - this legislation creates a pathway to reach those patients before small issues become serious health problems.” Research confirms that untreated oral health issues can contribute to serious medical conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Allowing care in the home will improve early detection and reduce preventable health complications for countless residents, from our homebound seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, to residents facing transportation barriers. According to DataHaven, approximately 400,000 Connecticut adults experience transportation insecurity, and nearly half have not seen a dentist in the past year. Among Medicaid-enrolled adults, that number rises to 50 percent. Bolinsky concluded , “Our homebound seniors, veterans, and disabled deserve access to the same quality of care as the rest of us. HB-5303 makes this possible without creating new state programs or mandates, plus, performing preventative care has been shown to ultimately reduce system-wide cost by heading off more intensive, more dangerous surgical or coronary care. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues and COHI, taking this step to improve outcomes and quality of life with this simple initiative.” HB-5303 has received bipartisan support, and is amassing bipartisan co-sponsors, including Reps Bolinsky and Garibay. It is currently awaiting action on the House floor.

Rep. Bolinsky Celebrates Reading with Newtown Students

NEWTOWN – On Monday morning, State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) visited Head o’ Meadow School in Newtown as a guest in the school’s Mystery Reader program celebration. During his visit, Rep. Bolinsky read " Carl and the Meaning of Life " with Mrs. Kuligowski’s kindergarten class. The book was written by Connecticut author Deborah Freedman and is beautifully illustrated. During, and after reading, he spoke with the bright-eyed, curious class members about the book’s theme of kindness, connectivity and how even the smallest contributions to our community can make a big difference in bettering the lives of so many. “I’ve always believed that a good book has a way of bringing people together. A story like Carl’s can, in the purest way, teach us how, together, we all contribute to making our town a flourishing, growing, healthy and wonderful place by just doing our parts. I really think the class came away with an understanding that even the smallest things cannot be taken for granted. It was a very cool morning!” said Rep. Bolinsky. Bolinsky’s strong connections to Head ‘o Meadow began nearly 26 years ago, when his daughter and son attended the neighborhood school, at which he also spent 11-years as a Cub Scout Pack 470 Leader, its Cubmaster, and then, its Pack Committee Chair. As Cubmaster, Pack 470 grew to become Newtown’s single largest Scouting unit at the time, serving 106 Head o’ Meadow families. In his 14 th year as Newtown’s State Representative, Bolinsky concluded with a reflection. “Sharing a story with these students—especially in a school that means so much to my own family—made the experience even more special. Reading to children just sparks their imaginations, opening the door to the real power of kindness and connection. I’m so thankful to the teachers and staff at Head O’Meadow for creating an environment where that love of learning grows every day.”

Bolinsky Connecticut Alzheimer's Advocacy Day

Bolinsky Connecticut Alzheimer's Advocacy Day HARTFORD- In a room packed with Alzheimer’s advocates, family members and state officials, State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106), attended the Alzheimer’s Association’s’ 2026 ‘Day of Advocacy’ at the State Capitol today. Bolinsky thanked all advocates, and fellow Connecticut state lawmakers for their past support, and asked for their continued support in building future legislation in the state’s Aging, and Human Services Committees. The advocacy day is designed to inspire all legislators to take action on key Alzheimer’s priorities to improve the lives of Connecticut residents, their families, and caregivers of facing dementia and related brain-health diseases. Rep. Bolinsky, the ranking member of the Aging Committee and who, along with his wife, cared for three-parents over a 10-year journey, said a few words about his family’s experiences, displaying a young photo of his late father, emphasizing the critical role families play in the care of loved ones. He then asked his Aging Committee Co-Chairs to the podium and thanked them for their bipartisan partnership, referring to the committee as one that “works in ways that set a high bar for legislative accomplishment and collaborative style” to support caregivers and improve the lives of Connecticut's aging community. “Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease that steals memories, independence and, far too often, the peace of mind for families who are already carrying so much,” said Rep Bolinsky. “I know this struggle personally. My own father battled Alzheimer’s for 7-years. Seeing someone you love slowly lose pieces of themselves is something no family is ever truly prepared for. Today’s Advocacy Day was a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a real Connecticut family facing a similar heartbreaking journey. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to support policies that expand resources, improve care, and ensure families dealing with dementia know they are not alone.”

Bolinsky Earns 2025 AARP Legislative Achievement Award for Third Consecutive Year

HARTFORD – State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown) has been named a recipient of the 2025 AARP Legislative Achievement Award by AARP Connecticut , marking the third consecutive year he has received the honor. The award recognizes Rep. Bolinsky’s leadership in ensuring high-quality care for residents of long-term care facilities and his continued advocacy on behalf of Connecticut’s older adults and their families. In a letter announcing the award, Nora Duncan , State Director of AARP Connecticut, commended Rep. Bolinsky for his dedication to policies that help ensure residents—especially older adults—feel welcome, safe, and comfortable in their homes and care facilities. “I am deeply humbled to once again receive the AARP Legislative Achievement Award,” said Rep. Bolinsky, Ranking Member of the Aging Committee . “Connecticut’s seniors deserve dignity, respect, and the highest quality of care. I remain committed to supporting policies that protect our most vulnerable residents and strengthen the services families rely on.” Rep. Bolinsky has been a long-time, vocal, advocate for seniors, focusing on issues including long-term care standards, support for family caregivers, and strengthening nursing home oversight to ensure accountability and quality outcomes in residential facilities. “Receiving this recognition three years in a row is especially meaningful in terms of our Aging Committee’s commitment to the state’s growing population of older residents, and the growing number of families who care for them.” Bolinsky added, “This would not be possible without a genuine dedication, and the teamwork needed to keep moving the ball forward. It’s an honor to serve with the women and men of the legislature’s most collaborative, bipartisan committee - especially with my Democratic Co-Chairs Rep. Jane Garibay and Senator Jane Hochadel. They are fabulous partners in maintaining our focus on addressing the concerns of older residents and their loved ones.” AARP represents nearly 600,000 members in Connecticut and advocates for policies that improve the quality of life for residents age 50 and older.