HARTFORD – On Monday, March 18^th, Deputy House Republican Leader Tom O’Dea led debate in the Transportation Committee on a series of roadway safety initiatives, including a proposal (S.B. 424) which would lower the legal BAC limit for drivers from 0.08 to 0.05.

The concept of reducing driver impairment on Connecticut roads is a noble pursuit, and one he is willing to support, but Rep. O’Dea contends that it misses the mark on what has contributed to a record span of roadway fatalities since 2022.…

On Monday, the Transportation Committee held a public hearing to debate a list of bills including raised H.B 5057 – An Act Standardizing Drive-Only Licenses. This legislation would make “drive-only” licenses, which are provided to undocumented or illegal immigrants, indistinguishable from standard driver’s licenses in Connecticut.

HARTFORD—House Republicans, in advance of the start of the 2024 legislative session, unveiled proposals Thursday that will maintain the state’s fiscal stability while making Connecticut a more affordable place to live.

Among the proposals is a call to amend the State Constitution to protect the “fiscal guardrails” that have allowed the state to build a solid Rainy Day Fund and begin to pay down long-term debt.

“Maintaining our state’s fiscal health is the legislature’s top priority, and in 2017 we…

This week is National School Choice Week, and from January 21st – 27th, we are recognizing the ongoing fight for school choice in Connecticut. The fight for school choice is a fight for equity, a fight for freedom of choice, and a fight to empower students and families with the best tools to be successful as lifelong engaged citizens and learners.

Below, you can read about our fight for school choice in Connecticut, how it benefits students and families, the costs to taxpayers, and some of our legislative…

Several new laws took effect on January 1st that could have an impact on you, your business, or our community. I have highlighted some of them below.

An expanded list of those enacted on January 1st, along with summaries, can be accessed here.

Tax Cuts

The state budget, adopted in June, cuts the bottom two marginal income tax rates for all filers from 3% to 2% and from 5% to 4.5%. Income taxes on the first $50,000 in taxable income will be lowered for single filers and married people filing separately,…

NEW CANAAN – Deputy House Minority Leader Tom O’Dea on Friday led applause from state lawmakers, local officials, and community leaders over a $2,000,000 allocation by the State Bond Commission for facility improvements at the New Canaan Playhouse theater.

“I am appreciative of this decision from the Governor, his team, and commission members to recognize the need and demand to invest in this project, and for the work of local leaders and community voices who have continued to pursue their vision…

Connecticut’s largest business organization recognized State Representative Tom O’Dea with a perfect voting score on key bills impacting Connecticut’s economic growth and business climate during the 2023 legislative session.

The Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) ranked all state lawmakers based on their support for the business community’s positions on 10 important policies. The bills all affect job creation, small business growth and economic stability in Connecticut.

The scorecard…

“The recent terrorist attacks in Israel are heartbreaking – and they must be strongly condemned. I mourn those lost, pray for their grieving families, and stand with Israel and its people in their fight to protect their right to exist in peace. As a community, let us amplify our support for Israel and its people, and our Jewish neighbors in Connecticut and everywhere. These terror attacks by Hamas exhibit a serious threat to our strongest allies and advocates for peaceful democracy in a violent region.”…

Grace is a young New Canaan resident who last year was diagnosed with Leukemia. She has been receiving treatment and is doing well. Since then, another young girl from New Canaan has been diagnosed with Leukemia and in addition, a Saxe Middle School teacher has received the same diagnosis for her daughter.

That’s why Grace’s family created the Gracie Fund for Pediatric Cancer. The Gracie Fund has partnered with Yale Children’s Hospital and their Director of Pediatric Oncology, Dr. Stephanie Massaro…

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced a series of four public hearings to gather input on the proposed rail and bus service changes, as well as proposed rail fare increases.

Proposed rail service changes include:

• Decreased Monday through Thursday service on the New Haven Line from 239 trains to 237 trains.
• Decreased Friday service on the New Haven Line from 241 trains to 234 trains.
• Decreased weekday service on the New Canaan Line from 41 trains to 39 trains.
• Decreased weekday…
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