Martin Foncello

Rep. Foncello, CT House Republicans Unveil "Pathway to Affordability" Budget Plan

Balanced proposal spends less than Democrats' budget, cuts household costs, and delivers new school funding relief to every Connecticut community HARTFORD— State Representative Martin Foncello (R-Brookfield) joined his colleagues in the House Republican Caucus on Tues­day and released a budget adjustment plan for the second year of the state budget through a series of policies aimed at making Connecticut more affordable, lowering household costs, easing property tax pressures, and addressing the school funding crisis facing communities across the state. The $27.9 billion plan, called “Pathway to Affordability,” is balanced, provides more than $400 million in tax relief, falls $167 million under the state spending cap, and spends less than the governor’s budget proposal and the product advanced by Appropriations Committee Democrats. "Connecticut families are paying more for everything —from groceries and gas to insurance and property taxes. Spending more and hoping for the best is not a plan, but what we unveiled is balanced and delivers more than $400 million in real, sustainable tax relief," said Rep. Foncello . "Some of that relief includes eliminating taxes on Social Security, the sales tax on children's clothing, and tax on tips and overtime. We also send $365 million directly to towns to help hold down your property taxes due to rising education costs." School Taxpayer Relief & Affordability Plan (STRAP) The centerpiece of the House Republican proposal is the School Taxpayer Relief and Affordability Plan, or STRAP—a $365 million investment distributed to every city and town in Connecticut to help offset surging education costs and reduce the burden on local property taxpayers. Under this proposal, Bethel would receive $1,493,212 in additional aid, Brookfield would get $204,964, and Newtown would receive $668,117. The “Pathway to Affordability” plan includes a broad range of tax-and-fee relief: · Increase the state’s maximum property tax credit to $650 and expand income eligibility, extending relief to 800,000 filers · Curb healthcare costs by reducing a state levy on insurance companies ($20 million) that has been passed on to consumers in their monthly premiums · Eliminate income tax on all Social Security benefits · Eliminate the sales tax on children’s clothing · Enact a “no tax on tips” exemption · Reduce the sales tax on vehicles priced between $50,000 and $75,000 from 7.75% to 6.35%--because the cost of vehicles has risen sharply in recent years, and what once seemed like a luxury price point now covers everyday family minivans and work trucks · Eliminate fees on certain occupational licenses · Remove the “Passport to Parks” fee from motor vehicle registrations · Ease local tax burden by providing $2.5 million to help municipalities cover early voting costs The plan is funded through new revenue and spending discipline, including: · Recover $340 million by challenging New York’s “convenience of employer” rule, which forces roughly 80,000 Connecticut residents who work remotely for New York employers and pay income taxes to New York at rates higher (10.9% top rate) than they would pay here at home (6.99% top rate). The plan includes $1 million to help these workers file legal challenges against New York’s policy. · Save $153 million by budgeting state employee positions based on realistic hiring trends rather than funding all vacancies at once · Save $61 million by eliminating state-funded health insurance for undocumented immigrants, who retain access to care through Federally Qualified Health Centers · Removes 25% of double-funding of ECS grants to municipalities, saving $29 million · Save $12 million by reducing legislative earmarks · Save $3.5 million by eliminating inmate text messaging Among our targeted investments in public safety and human services: · $3.2 million to expand the CRISIS program helping police respond to and de-escalate situations involving individuals experiencing mental health or substance abuse crises · $1.5 million for domestic violence shelters · Provides funding to hire investigators for Medicaid Fraud Control · $2.4 million to increase provider rates for Birth-to-Three child development services · Creates an income tax deduction (up to $2k) for volunteer firefighter and EMS personnel ###

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

HARTFORD – State Representatives Martin Foncello (R-107) and Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) 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 .

CT DOT to Perform Maintenance Work on I-84 Ramps

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is performing wrong way driver detection maintenance and recertification on I-84 west and eastbound in Newtown on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. • I-84 West and Eastbound at Exit 10 in Newtown • I-84 West and Eastbound at Exit 11 in Newtown • I-84 Westbound at Exit 9 in Newtown Traffic will follow posted detours and drivers are advised to seek alternate routes during the ramp closures listed above. Modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area. The DOT is performing similar work throughout the region over the next two weeks. Monday, March 23, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. • I-84 East and Westbound at Exit 4 in Danbury • I-84 Westbound at Exit 5 in Danbury • I-84 Eastbound at Exit 2 in Danbury Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. • I-84 Eastbound, Exit 14 in Southbury • I-84 Eastbound, Exit 16 in Southbury • I-84 Westbound, Exit 15 in Southbury Monday, March 30, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. • I-84 Westbound at Exit 17 in Waterbury • I-84 Westbound at Exit 22 in Waterbury • I-84 Westbound at Exit 25 in Waterbury

Celebrating Read Across America Day at Candlewood Lake Elementary

State Representative Martin Foncello celebrated Read Across America Day by reading to students at Candlewood Lake Elementary School in Brookfield. Rep. Foncello was invited to read to three classes of Kindergarteners. He read The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli, Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock by James Dean and Kimberly Dean, and Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster by Mo Willems. Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2nd with the goal of sharing the joy of reading and promoting early childhood literacy with elementary school children. According to its website, The National Education Association seeks to build a nation of readers through its signature program, NEA’s Read Across America. For more information about this great event please visit www.nea.org/readacross .

CT DOT To Hold Information Meetings on I-84 Danbury Flex Lane

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will hold two public information meetings about the proposed I-84 Flex Lane in Danbury. The first meeting will be in-person on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph Church Hall at 376 Main Street in Danbury. In case of inclement weather, the alternate date is Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. During the first hour, individuals can view project-related materials and discuss any questions with the project team as part of an open house. A formal presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. The second meeting will be held virtually on Zoom on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.—to register, visit www.i84Danbury.com/FlexLane . The CTDOT notes that the Flex Lane is an independent project resulting from the I-84 Danbury Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study . This project also includes improvements to southbound Route 7 near westbound I-84 at Exit 7 to help traffic flow more smoothly and improve overall corridor operations. Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2028 based on the availability of funding and approval of permit(s). The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $250 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 90% federal funds and 10% state funds. Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the four-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by April 6, 2026, to: I84DanburyFlexLane@ct.gov (860) 594-3485 i84Danbury.com/FlexLane-comment/ By mail: Attention: Kevin Burnham, CTDOT, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131-7546 Please reference Project No. 0034-0364 in your correspondence.