As we welcome the New Year, many new state laws will become effective on Monday, January 1^st. These include tax cuts, which were approved in the 2023 budget agreement, (1) to adjust the tax schedule impacting retirees living on fixed incomes, (2) create eligibility for an Earned Income Tax Credit, and (3) decrease certain income tax rates.

The changes enacted for 2024 will decrease the two lowest income tax rates:

• The 3% rate on the first $10,000 earned by single filers and the first $20,000 by…
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Connecticut’s Dept. of Emergency Services and Public Protection has launched the “Bring Me Back Home” program. This initiative encourages those to sign-up to a registry, which can be easily accessed by local law enforcement. The provided information and photo, accessible through the COLLECT criminal justice and safety system, helps first responders and families reunite with individuals living with cognitive challenges, such as Dementia or Autism.

To learn more about the program or to sign-up, click…

Photo: State Rep. Jay Case, State Sen. Lisa Seminara, State Rep. Bill Buckbee, and New Milford resident Monika Nugent are pictured at the Legislative Office Building following Wednesday’s waiver vote.

HARTFORD – On Wednesday, December 13, the Appropriations and Human Services Committee approved a new waiver requirement for services through the Department of Development Services (DDS). Within this waiver requirement update, a provision of Public Act 23-137 will be enacted to allow immediate family…

The Dept. of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for its Farm Transition Grant program, a competitive matching grant program for Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives to support the diversification of existing farm operations, transitioning to value-added agricultural production and sales, and other venues in which most products sold are grown in the state.

You can view the program guidelines here.

Applications are due to the department by Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

Click…

The CT DOL is alerting residents of a new fraud scam targeting job seekers. Criminals are soliciting banking and other information by calling residents and claiming to be an employer registered with CTHires, the state’s job bank.  The attempts to steal personal data through this scam include callers asking for Social Security, bank account, and credit card numbers as well as telling residents they must pay a fee to have their application reviewed for employment. The agency recommends that all unemployment…

Photo (from left to right): Jim Schneider (Kimberly-Clark Energy Procurement), Jean Cronin (President Hughes & Cronin Public Affairs), Susan Bruce (Energy Counsel, McNees Wallace) Nate Kenney (Kimberly-Clark Plant Manager), Rep. Martin Foncello, Rep. Pat Callahan, Rep. Cindy Harrison, Rep. John Piscopo, Rep. Joe Gresko, Sen. Stephen Harding, Rep. Bill Buckbee, Branch Sinkule (Kimberly-Clark Government Relations) are pictured at the Kimberly-Clark Kleenex plant in New Milford.

NEW MILFORD – The New…

The Governor and legislative Democrats made headlines recently when they announced their intention to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles in 11 years, a move we fear will all but eliminate consumer freedom while increasing the financial pressure on residents and business owners already squeezed by Connecticut’s infamous tax and regulatory environment.

Those concerns aside, the proposed regulation to have 100% of new passenger vehicles sold be green vehicles by 2035 raises many other familiar…

HARTFORD – State Rep. Billy Buckbee (R-New Milford) spoke during a news conference on Wednesday morning at the Legislative Office Building regarding the proposed mandate on gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Lawmakers raised several concerns about the mandate, its potential impact on consumers, energy costs, and infrastructure viability.

“There are certainly merits that electric vehicles bring to the table, but the issue comes when the state government forces all residents and businesses to purchase only…

New Milford – State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) spent Monday morning at New Milford High School meeting with civics students. During his visit to the school, Buckbee gave presentations to two groups of students, each covering an overview of the General Assembly and details of the various steps it takes a bill to become a new state law. Buckbee also spent time fielding questions from the students. “It’s important that students know that they have representation in Hartford and how they can contact…

HARTFORD – The Connecticut Business & Industry Association has released its 2023 legislative records. CBIA has ranked each individual legislator’s support, or opposition, to legislation that seeks to support Connecticut businesses, increase economic opportunities, and create greater affordability.

According to CBIA, State Rep. Bill Buckbee received a 100% voting record for the 2023 session. To review the state house voting records, you can click here.

“I appreciate the recognition for my voting record…

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