Posted on January 2, 2024
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,…
Posted on December 6, 2023
HARTFORD — State Representative Joe Polletta (R-68) released the following statement opposing a “One Fair Wage” proposal affecting Connecticut food servers and restaurant owners.
“When our local restaurants and the people who staff them are just recovering from government’s pandemic shutdowns which led to increased costs and decreased business, they are insulted with another radical proposal which would eliminate the tip credit for food servers and further cripple a vital industry in Connecticut.…
Posted on October 31, 2023
Connecticut’s largest business organization recognized State Representative Joe Polletta 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…
Posted on October 19, 2023
Posted on October 12, 2023
HARTFORD – State Rep. Joe Polletta (R-68) on Thursday highlighted a new, lesser-known provision in the two-year state budget that provides more financial support for the families of law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty.
The biennium budget signed by Gov. Lamont in June allocated $500,000 in each of fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to create the Fallen Officer Fund, an initiative proposed by House Republicans in the 2023 legislative session. The bill became an element of budget negotiations…
Posted on September 1, 2023
The application period for the 2023-2024 winter season of the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) will begin on September 1, 2023. The program helps Connecticut residents – including both homeowners and renters – with the costs associated with heating their homes.
Basic benefits toward heating bills range from $180 to $530 depending on income, size of household, and need. Benefits are available for households with incomes up to 60% of the state median income, which equates to roughly $79,910…
Posted on June 6, 2023
HARTFORD – On Tuesday, State Rep. Joe Polletta (R-68) voted to adopt the FY 2024-2025 Connecticut state budget, headlined by a historic cut to the state income tax for middle- and low-income earners and families.
The fully balanced bipartisan budget features more than $150 million for local education, investments in public safety, strict adherence to fiscal guardrails established in the 2017 budget agreement, and establishes a phase-out on pension and annuity taxes. Each of these key initiatives…
Posted on May 15, 2023
HARTFORD – On Monday, State Representative Joe Polletta (R-68) announced the award of a state grant for restoration efforts towards the Naugatuck River Greenway in Watertown as part of the Connecticut Recreational Trails Program.
Watertown will receive $299,935 as part of the program which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and is one in a series of grants approved by the State Bond Commission in July 2022.
“I am thrilled to announce the funding…
Posted on May 2, 2023
2024-2025 plan provides more tax relief than Governor and Democrats, invests in key areas including education and nonprofit social safety net providers
HARTFORD—House Republicans on Tuesday released a balanced budget proposal that provides more than $1 billion in broad-based tax relief to Connecticut residents while also making historic investments in education and providing more funding for nonprofit providers.
“Connecticut residents and families are needing financial relief and the House Republican…
Posted on April 6, 2023
HARTFORD – On Thursday, State Representative Joe Polletta (R-68) announced that the State Bond Commission voted to confirm a series of state grants to municipalities in favor of specific community-building initiatives.
The announced funding includes an award to the town of Watertown reimbursing the Police Department for expenses of body-worn cameras, dashboard cameras, and video storage devices.
“This funding for public safety equipment in Watertown is a necessary investment in making our streets…