Rep. Ackert Takes Oath of Office to Begin Session

Rep. Ackert Takes Oath of Office to Begin Session

HARTFORD– State Representative Tim Ackert (R-8) joined his fellow colleagues on Wednesday for the opening day of the 2017 Legislative Session.  Rep. Ackert enters his fourth term serving the 8th General Assembly District, which covers Columbia, Coventry, Tolland and Vernon.

“I am ready to get back to work on behalf of my constituents,” said Rep. Ackert. “Reckless budget decisions continue under the current administration. Municipalities and our school districts are being hit hard by the governor, and this will only cause property taxes to skyrocket. I encourage the governor and the majority party to have us in the room this session to help get Connecticut firing on all cylinders.”

The governor’s budget remarks to the General Assembly this week indicated that towns and cities would once again be a target for cuts.

“It is unfortunate that the governor continues to target municipalities,” added Rep. Ackert. “The current path that the governor is on is unsustainable, unpredictable and unfairly targets well run towns.  Municipal leaders throughout the state are running their towns with lean budgets, yet the governor continues to ask them to give more and more back to the state.”

In one of his first votes taken this session, Rep. Ackert sided with his House Republican colleagues on an amendment to change the House Rules to require that the General Assembly to review all state employee contracts. The amendment was voted down by the majority party Democrats along party lines, 76-72.

“I am discouraged by the majority party and their new leadership for rejecting this amendment,” said Rep. Ackert. “This amendment is a structural change that will give the people’s body of government control of the negotiations between the unions and the governor, which will provide union employees and nonunion employees more input on the contracts. It is important that all residents have their voice heard on this matter.”

Rep. Ackert will serve on the legislature’s Commerce, Insurance and Real Estate, and the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. Ackert can be reached at Tim.Ackert @housegop.ct.gov or 860-240-8700. Constituents can follow his legislative endeavors by visiting his website www.repackert.com or connecting with him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/repackert.

The 2017 Legislative Session will run for a five-month period from January 4th to June 7th.

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