Mark Anderson

Supporting Riparian Buffer Zones

HARTFORD - State Rep. Mark Anderson (R-Granby) participated in the off-session working group to study and propose recommendations that will help preserve Connecticut's riparian buffer areas. A riparian buffer is a strip of trees, shrubs, and grasses planted or maintained alongside a waterway (such as a river, stream, lake, or pond). It acts as a natural, vegetated protective zone between land and water, filtering pollutants, stabilizing banks, and providing wildlife habitat. Check out his comments on the floor in support of passing legislation, H.B. 5334 An Act Concerning Riparian Areas.

Anderson Announces School/Taxpayers Relief & Affordability Plan (STRAP)

Connecticut’s broken education funding formula has forced cities and towns to make up the difference, leaving property taxpayers to shoulder the burden. The House Republican School Taxpayer Relief and Affordability Plan (STRAP) would return $365 million to communities across the state. For the 62nd District, that means: Barkhamsted – $222,064 Granby – $809,503 Hartland – $159,272 New Hartford – $447,582 STRAP is built directly into the state budget, so towns can count on consistent funding year after year—no scrambling, no uncertainty. It provides meaningful, sustainable relief for local property taxpayers while lawmakers continue working to fix the flawed Education Cost Sharing formula for good. More Information Click here to access the STRAP tool and see allocations for each town. Click here for the Pathway to Affordability plan site.

Anderson, Republicans Advocate for Tax Relief

HARTFORD - I joined my fellow House Republicans for a news conference to refocus the conversation on affordability because it remains the number one issue facing Connecticut residents. We highlighted two key areas where action is needed: real tax relief and ensuring Connecticut keeps the tax revenue it rightfully deserves. This session, House Republicans have introduced legislation to deliver permanent property tax relief directly to families. Our proposal would more than double the state property tax credit—from $300 to $650—while expanding eligibility to reach over 800,000 filers. That’s meaningful, lasting relief. We also addressed a major issue impacting thousands of Connecticut workers. Under New York’s “convenience of the employer” rule, remote employees who live in Connecticut but work for New York companies are taxed as if they’re working in New York—even if they never leave home. As a result, New York collects the income tax, and Connecticut loses out. About 80,000 Connecticut residents are affected, and many are paying significantly higher taxes because of it. New York’s top income tax rate is 10.9%, compared to Connecticut’s 6.99%. Even more concerning, some workers risk being taxed twice on the same income. While Connecticut created a tax credit in 2019 to offset this, that’s only a temporary fix, not a real solution. It’s time to bring that revenue back home and deliver the kind of sustainable relief Connecticut families deserve.

🌱 Ag Day at the State Capitol

Hartford - Wednesday, March 18, marked "Ag Day" at the State Capitol—an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate Connecticut’s agricultural community and the vital role it plays in our state. I had the pleasure of meeting with FFA students from Northwestern Regional 7 during their visit to Hartford. With so many farmers and agricultural vendors on hand, the students had a valuable opportunity to explore potential career paths, learn more about the industry, and connect directly with elected officials. We also had a thoughtful discussion about several policy proposals that could impact Connecticut’s farming community, and I appreciated hearing their perspectives. A special thank you to Program Director Andrew O’Brien for coordinating the visit and making the day possible for these students. It’s always great to connect with residents of the 62nd District, and today was no exception. I also had the chance to speak with Josh Capiga, co-owner of CT Garlic Company, who is doing impressive work producing high-quality garlic and seed right here in Connecticut. Their commitment to regenerative farming practices is helping to strengthen sustainable agriculture in our state. Their products are available both direct-to-consumer and at the wholesale level. Ag Day is a reminder of how important it is to support local agriculture year-round.

WATCH: Anderson Speaks in Support of Livestock Protection

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