Mitch Bolinsky

Bolinsky & Foncello Food Drive Collects Generous Donations for FAITH Food Pantry

NEWTOWN, CT – State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Martin Foncello are hailing the success of a recent community food drive benefiting the FAITH Food Pantry, thanking the residents of Newtown for coming together to support neighbors in need. The food drive generated a substantial collection of nonperishable food items, diapers, personal care items and cleaning supplies for the pantry's community, along with nearly $150 in cash donations and $50 in Big Y gift cards. The monetary donations will help FAITH Food Pantry staff purchase additional supplies of the most needed goods for local families facing food insecurity. “This was exactly what we hoped would happen when we organized this food drive – neighbors helping neighbors,” said Rep. Mitch Bolinsky. “The generosity of the Newtown community was tremendous. People stopped by, donated what they could, and took the time to thank us for giving them an opportunity to help. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed.” Foncello echoed Bolinsky’s appreciation for the community response. “Marty and I wanted to put together something simple that could make a real difference for people in our community,” said Bolinsky. “The response showed once again that when Newtown comes together, we can accomplish a lot.” Throughout the event, community members also took the opportunity to speak with Rep. Bolinsky and thank him for his continued involvement in the community. Several residents specifically praised Bolinsky for his willingness to put politics aside and remain focused on serving the Newtown community. “I am a member of this community first, and I want people to know that I am always willing to roll up my sleeves, work with my neighbors and help wherever I can. There are times when we may disagree politically, but helping a neighbor is something we can all agree on.” Foncello said the success of the food drive demonstrated the strength of the Newtown community. “We are extremely proud of the response,” said Foncello. “The food, cash and gift-card donations will go directly toward helping people in our community. Most importantly, it showed what can happen when people come together with a common goal.” Bolinsky and Foncello thanked everyone who donated, volunteered, or stopped by the food drive, as well as FAITH Food Pantry for its continued work helping local families. After the event, Bolinsky packed his SUV with the donations and delivered them down the street to FAITH Food Pantry. “We are grateful to everyone who helped make this food drive such a success, and we hope we can continue finding ways to give back to the community we are proud to call home,” said Rep. Bolinsky.

Bolinsky Supports $86.2 Million Energy Assistance Plan to Help Connecticut Families This Winter

HARTFORD – State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, a member of the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, voted Wednesday to approve an $86.2 million plan to provide critical energy assistance to lower-income Connecticut families ahead of the winter heating season. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is federally funded and administered in Connecticut through the Department of Social Services and local Community Action Agencies, which help eligible residents apply for assistance. “Sometimes, circumstances make it necessary for families-in-need to reach out to keep their homes warm in the winter,” said Rep. Bolinsky. “That’s what LIHEAP is for. I’m grateful for the continued collaboration between our state and federal social-service agencies with this program. A warm home should never be out of reach because the heating bill is too high. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’m glad we are able to support this assistance for Connecticut families who need a little extra help making ends meet.” Bolinsky concluded, “It’s also important to note that this temporary, supplemental support program requires application or re-application each year. Typically, the application process begins online on September 1 and in-person shortly thereafter, and covered deliveries usually begin on November 1. As soon as the agency confirms dates and issues application guidance, I will touch base again with those specifics.” LIHEAP helps approximately 94,300 Connecticut households each year and is available in all communities. Roughly 31,000 participating households include elderly members, 13,000 households with individuals with disabilities, and 9,000 households with children under age 6. Eligible households can receive between $355 and $705 in heating assistance, depending on household size and income.

Bolinsky Celebrates Newtown’s Designation as Connecticut’s 17th Cultural District

Bolinsky Celebrates Newtown’s Designation as Connecticut’s 17th Cultural District NEWTOWN, CT — State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) is celebrating the Connecticut Office of the Arts’ approval of Newtown’s application to establish a state-recognized Cultural District, making Newtown the 17th community in Connecticut to receive the designation. Bolinsky, was a proud supporter of the enabling legislation, Public Act 19-143 , that created Connecticut’s Cultural District program and is particularly excited, not just about the recognition Newtown's talented arts community has earned, but for the spotlight under which it will grow. “Putting forth legislation to nurture and build upon our town's enclaves of creativity, and planting seeds to help it grow is the aim of Connecticut’s Cultural District program, and I’m especially pleased to see Newtown become the 17th community in our state to receive this designation,” said Rep. Bolinsky. “This is a wonderful recognition of the history, character and incredible potential that make Newtown such a special place.” Newtown’s Cultural District encompasses three distinct subdistricts — the Borough, Sandy Hook and Fairfield Hills — each representing an important part of the community’s identity and future. “The beauty of Newtown’s Cultural District is that it tells a much bigger story,” Bolinsky said. “The Borough represents our past, with its historic buildings and longstanding character. Sandy Hook represents our present — a vibrant community that continues to thrive and grow. And Fairfield Hills represents our future, with tremendous potential for what that property can become.” Bolinsky noted that Newtown, the largest geographic town in Fairfield County, has a unique combination of historic character, vibrant village centers and opportunities for future economic and cultural development. “This designation gives us a tremendous opportunity to celebrate where we’ve come from while thinking creatively about where we’re going,” Bolinsky said. “Our history is worth preserving, our communities are worth investing in, and our future is full of possibility. I’m proud to see Newtown recognized for all three.” The Connecticut Office of the Arts, part of the Department of Economic and Community Development, announced the approval Monday. Newtown now becomes the 17th state-recognized Cultural District in Connecticut.

Bolinsky, Foncello Hold Community Office Hours in Sandy Hook

Bolinsky, Foncello Hold Community Office Hours in Sandy Hook Newtown residents raise concerns about electric rates, property taxes, cameras and election security NEWTOWN, CT – On a steamy August morning, State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) and Martin Foncello (R-107) held community office hours Friday, in the comfort of Ralph’s Sandy Hook Cafe, giving Newtown residents an opportunity to discuss the issues that matter most to them. The Newtown representatives thanked everyone who attended the event. Residents brought a wide range of questions and concerns, including about Connecticut’s fiscal health, electric rates, veterans’ property tax relief, election security and the use of various types of public-facing law-enforcement cameras. “Showing up, being accessible, and listening to the folks we represent is one of the most important parts of this job,” said Rep. Mitch Bolinsky. “ Our thanks to Ralph and crew for the hospitality of their casual, cozy cafe to hear directly from residents, our neighbors, about their concerns, including the cost of electricity, property taxes, public safety and election security, to name a few.” On the state’s fiscal health, both representatives stressed the importance of maintaining Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails and continuing to pay down state debt. Bolinsky noted: “In a year of state election advertising, the messaging can get a bit misleading. While it is absolutely true that the historic 2017-2018 Bi-Partisan Budget I had a hand in produced more than seven years of state surpluses, and knocked $11-billion off the state’s long-term, unfunded retiree healthcare and pension liabilities, Connecticut still has about $35-billion unfunded long-term debt left from its decades-long practice of not properly funding, or deferring these obligations altogether. The fiscal guardrails are still needed to eventually get the state back ‘in the black’. Weakening them, like the Governor and Majority Leaders did at the end of 2026 regular session by breaking the ‘Volatility Cap’, was a move my colleagues and I strongly opposed, and led to deferring part of our 2026 paydown, shorting retiree plans’ repayment for the first time since 2017. Connecticut is far from being awash in extra cash, as some campaign ads would have you believe.” Electric rates were another major topic of discussion. Residents expressed frustration with the high cost of electricity and the various charges included on their monthly bills. “People are more than a little fed up with opening their electric bills and seeing rising costs they have little control over,” said Bolinsky. “They deserve to know where that money is going, including executive compensation and other expenditures, while looking for real ways to bring energy costs down for Connecticut families. I’m most alarmed by all the hidden costs being approved without transparency and stashed in Public Benefits. by ”We need to keep asking tough questions and shining the light of transparency on all the charges in our electric bills that don’t power our homes and businesses. When public benefits rise meteorically because our state leaders choose to defer payment of pandemic-era, executive-order driven moratoria on four-years of unpaid bill forbearance, or for deferred line maintenance and storm damage charges, this indebtedness accumulates. It’s time for Connecticut to pay as it goes and see to it that the Public Benefit explosion of August 2024 does not become a regular occurrence, although PURA has already approved an 11% increase for January 1, 2027, and the latest deferral of line maintenance and storm damage repair is coming, and could impact our electric bills again around August 2027. Stay tuned…” Foncello also emphasized the need to take a hard look at public benefits charges that are passed along to ratepayers. “Families should not be treated like an unlimited ATM every time the state wants to fund another program,” said Foncello. “We need greater transparency and accountability in our energy system, and we need to focus on lowering the bills that residents are paying every month.” Veterans’ property tax relief was also discussed. Both representatives said they remain committed to finding additional ways to reduce the tax burden on Connecticut veterans. Election security and voter identification were also raised by residents. Foncello, who serves on the General Administration and Elections Committee, discussed the importance of maintaining accurate voter rolls and ensuring that Connecticut’s elections remain secure and reliable. Residents also raised questions about cameras, including school bus cameras, speed cameras and Flock cameras. The representatives discussed the different purposes and concerns surrounding each technology, including questions about how surveillance information is used and who ultimately has access to it. “Technology can have a role in improving public safety, but we also have to make sure there are appropriate safeguards and accountability,” said Bolinsky. “Residents are asking legitimate questions about how these cameras are being used, how information is stored and whether they are being used for their intended purpose. Those concerns deserve serious consideration, and until get answers from, and set parameters on the companies being paid to administer them, we need to slow it all down .” The representatives also heard from residents about what they would like to see prioritized by their legislators moving forward. “We appreciate everyone who took the time to come out and speak with us,” said Foncello. “Whether it was about the cost of living, taxes, public safety or the way our state government operates, these conversations matter. Our job is to listen, bring those concerns back to Hartford and continue working to make Connecticut a more affordable place to live.” Bolinsky and Foncello encouraged residents to continue reaching out to their offices with questions, concerns or ideas for improving the community.

State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky to Host Community Food Drive at Newtown Big Y

State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky to Host Community Food Drive at Newtown Big Y NEWTOWN – State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown) is partnering with FAITH Food Pantry of Newtown, Inc. inviting residents to help support local families in need by participating in a community food drive on Monday, August 17 , at the Big Y at Newtown's Queen Street Shopping Center Rep. Bolinsky will be on-site collecting donations of non-perishable food products, personal care items, paper goods, diapers, pet food & care items, or gift cards to benefit food-insecure families and individuals in Newtown and Sandy Hook. FAITH stands for "Food Assistance, Immediate, Temporary Help". They are our community's largest, all-volunteer, nonprofit, free and discreet local food assistance organization, serving Newtown and Sandy Hook. "Even a single donation can make a meaningful difference for a neighbor in need," said Rep. Bolinsky. "The need is great, and it's my hope to welcome and thank those who help stock FAITH'S shelves and fulfill its mission to serve our neighbors, close to home." To donate, for a confidential consultation, or to become a volunteer, visit www.newtownfoodpantry.org . EVENT DETAILS: WHO: State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown) WHAT: Community Food Drive WHEN: Monday, August 17 th from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. WHERE: Big Y World Class Market, 6 Queen Street in Newtown For more information, please contact Rep. Bolinsky's office at Mitch.Bolinsky@housegop.ct.gov or call 1.800.842.1423.