Donna Veach

Rep. Veach Votes in Opposition to State Budget

Last Saturday, the House took up debate on the biennium budget. While it contains some positive elements, it ultimately falls short of the proposal offered by my House Republican caucus. I opposed this budget because it does not fully account for the state’s overall financial condition. It loosens fiscal safeguards to rely on unpredictable one-time revenues, even as a nearly $1 billion deficit is projected in the near future. Our municipalities need stable, long-term funding, and our taxpayers need meaningful, sustainable relief. Connecticut must address its structural budget challenges instead of masking them with temporary fixes. Additionally, it fails to remain with our fiscal guardrails. Our residents deserve responsible and sustainable spending, not gimmicky election year handouts and earmarks.

Rep. Veach Offers Comments on Opposition to Vaccine Bill

"Legislation should be intended to solve a problem or address an ongoing issue. Unfortunately, the vaccine bill being pushed forward doesn’t meet those basic requirements. The process was flawed from the beginning in that it silenced many concerned voices by limiting their right to voice those concerns to their elected officials," Rep. Veach said. "I can’t vote in good conscience to support a bill that encroaches on an individual’s religious rights and freedoms, while giving unilateral authority to an entity (DPH Commissioner) who by its passage will be granted the authoritarian right to determine who gets what vaccines and when. I guess the my body my choice and the no king’s ways of thinking don’t apply here."

House Republicans Unveil Pathway to Affordability Budget

House Republicans’ “Pathway to Affordability” budget plan puts Connecticut’s families first – with $400M in tax relief and key investments in mental health, public safety, education, and families, our goal is to provide long-term sustainability, not one-time election year gimmicks. Key points: ➡️ More than $167 million below the spending cap ➡️ Spends less than budgets from legislative Democrats and Governor ➡️ Reclaims CT revenue from New York ➡️ Sustainable: Doesn’t rely on volatile, one-time revenues Find out more here .

House Republicans Drive Earmark Reform Bill

Connecticut’s taxpayers deserve the utmost transparency when it comes to how government handles their money, and as it currently stands, this process needs some serious overhaul. Yesterday, the House took an important step to address those concerns with the passage of HB-5039. Within this bill there are reforms to address a gap that allows recipients to pass along funds to another organization without approval, transparency, or accountability. Additionally, it requires earmark recipients to also receive prior approval. Any organization who receives passed-along funds would also be subject to the same transparency requirements as the original earmark recipient.

House Republicans Propose Permanent Property Tax Relief

Connecticut is losing roughly $340 million in tax dollars to New York due to a structural problem called the "convenience of employer" rule or convenience tax. As a result, millions in Connecticut-earned income are sent to New York every year. Under this rule which was implemented during COVID-19, Connecticut residents who are employed by a New York company (but work remotely) are paying income taxes to New York rather than Connecticut. Our plan would bring that money back to the taxpayers of Connecticut through sustainable relief. Read the plan here