Posted on March 18, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
I wanted you to be aware and spread the word about a regional forum I set up in Danbury, to flush out details and learn about tolls on Monday, April 1, 2019 at Danbury City Hall beginning at 7:00 p.m. I will be hosting the forum, along with Reps. Sredzinski, Harding, Smith and others. The presenters will be the Republican Ranking Members of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, State Sen. Henri Martin and State Rep. Laura Devlin.
The Transportation Committee and we legislators have already…
Posted on March 14, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
Opportunity to Testify and/or Submit Written Testimony
This Friday, the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee of the General Assembly will be holding a public hearing on Governor Lamont’s proposed revenue budget and the Senate Democrat Leader’s proposal to institute a statewide property tax and a statewide car tax.
As you may have heard, Governor Lamont’s proposed budget, SB 877 ‘An Act Concerning Revenue Items to Implement the Governor’s Budget’, expands many taxes, including the sales tax to…
Posted on March 6, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
HARTFORD – Newtown’s State Representative, Mitch Bolinsky participated in the 2019 National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) Advocacy Day at the Capitol last Thursday. After he welcomed attendees and pledged continued support for the treatment and research to conquer their rare diseases, Sandy Hook resident, Daniela Delgado, took the podium and captivated the crowd with her story of being a one of the 30-million people, half of whom are children, to have a rare disease and her amazing battle to help others.
“Daniela is an amazing young lady,” said Rep. Bolinsky. “Although just a sixth-grader, she has more than the courage to battle von Wildebrand Disease, a rare and serious bleeding disorder, and Ehlers Danlos Disease, that causes her joints to dislocate easily and triggers constant pain to her head, neck, shoulders, arms and legs. She has the drive to succeed in school and excel as a motivational speaker, spreading her special message of hope to others. She also is the founder and driving force behind ‘Daniela’s Little Wish’, a non-profit that ‘Bakes and delivers smiles around the world,’ providing free birthday cakes for kids with rare diseases and disabilities. You can find out more about her and her mission on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media sites.”
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Posted on February 26, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
“The Governor campaigned on structural changes, business-friendly policies, leveraging technology to address systemic efficiencies, regulatory mandate reform, and more. I had hoped to see more concrete plans to structurally reform Connecticut to better serve the essential needs of our residents, before jumping straight to tolls and taxes.
I see the state’s future success being tied to a well-balanced approach that encourages economic and population growth. In my opinion, given our current high-of-cost living status, our highly regulated business environment and the high cost of doing business in our beautiful state, we should not have come out of the box by making Connecticut less affordable. I do not agree with taking more from a diminishing tax base until we can demonstrate our ability and willingness to better stewards of the taxpayer’s tax dollars.
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Posted on February 26, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
Photo: Officer Maryhelen McCarthy stands with State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky outside of the Aging Committee public hearing on legislation that will strengthen the state’s elderly abuse registry.
Hartford – The Aging Committee heard testimony in support of a new law that would strengthen the state’s current ability to create a registry identifying individuals responsible for the abuse of elderly persons. State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown), a member of the committee, co-authored the bill, along with State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford, Orange, West Haven, Woodbridge) and strongly supported Newtown Police Officer Maryhelen McCarthy’s comments in favor of S.B. 828, An Act Redefining Exploitation of Elderly Persons.
Officer McCarthy serves as Newtown’s Community Crisis Intervention, Senior Advocate and is a veteran Patrol Officer.
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Posted on February 25, 2019 by admin
The legislature is always looking at ways in which it can help people. As a founding member of the legislature’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities caucus, Rep. Bolinsky participated in the ARC Family Day. According to Rep. Bolinsky, he heard compelling stories about how important it is to continue funding life-improving services, like day programs. Through continued advocacy, elected officials can work with families to reverse negative stigma about the I/DD community and ensure that quality…
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Posted on February 22, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
Friends and Neighbors,
Forced school consolidation is not my vision for Newtown Schools and is not likely yours. While efficiencies are a worthwhile pursuit, local control and careful consideration of anything that might negatively impact the effectiveness of our schools is a “non-starter” for me. No one knows what’s best for Newtown’s children than Newtown parents.
If you agree and do not want our children’s outcomes to be subject to state mandate, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO BE HEARD!
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Posted on February 19, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
Photo: State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky displays a photo of an ivory-based painting that is on display at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. Rep. Bolinsky testified with Brandy Culp, Curator of American Art at the Wadsworth.
HARTFORD – State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown) testified at Friday’s Environment Committee public hearing in support of a law that would preserve the state’s antiques industry, educational institutions, historical museums, collectors and owners of antiquities and legitimate works of art, while cracking down on the illicit trade of ivory products that threatens the very existence of endangered African Elephants and Rhinoceroses.
Rep. Bolinsky testified alongside the Wadsworth Atheneum’s Curator of American Art, Brandy Culp on HB5394, An Act Concerning the Sale and Trade of Ivory and Rhinoceros Horn in the State. He began by acknowledging, “It’s safe to say that all ethical, compassionate individuals and lovers of animals all know about and want to see an end to the trade of modern ivory and rhinoceros horn taken illegally from the wild by brutal, cruel poachers and traffickers. This goal is in strong support of our state being in full compliance to the July 6, 2016 federal law that banned all trade in modern ivory. That law defined modern ivory as being taken from the wild after February 26, 1976. Objects of art, family heirlooms and musical instruments, like Steinway Pianos, produced before that date were classified as ‘antiques’ and could continue to be possessed, sold, bartered, inherited, displayed or gifted.
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Posted on February 14, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
HARTFORD – State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown) spoke in favor of a new law that would allow minors holding a Connecticut “Graduated Driver’s License” to use backup cameras in their vehicles, without fear of being in violation of the state’s existing distracted driving laws.
Rep. Bolinsky said, “Currently, younger drivers are not allowed to glance down at their backup cameras without violating state law on distracted driving. I am fully supportive of enforcing our distracted driving laws, but backup cameras are devices that categorically help drivers avoid backing collisions.”
During his testimony, Rep. Bolinsky explained that modern engineering of many motor vehicles has made the classic over-the-shoulder check to see if there are obstacles far less effective. “The rear ends of most cars and light trucks now tend to be raked higher than the front, for aerodynamic reasons. Rear visibility no longer offers low-profile vision in these modern vehicles. This problem has been addressed with federally mandated backup cameras in all models built for sale in the United States, effective with the 2017 model year. Phase-in began in 2016. It’s time for Connecticut to get with the program.
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Posted on February 11, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
HARTFORD – State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-Newtown) testified today in support of two separate provisions that will improve public health for all residents of Connecticut. Bolinsky gave compelling testimony on a bill that seeks to expand eligibility to donate blood and another bill that officially licenses art therapists. The genesis of both legislative proposals came directly from constituent requests.
According to Rep. Bolinsky, his advocacy for the blood donor bill began in late 2017 when a Newtown High School senior, Harrison Eppers, and his friend, Rory Edwards, contacted him. Both of these young men have since graduated Newtown High School but submitted captivating testimony. In their place, Michael Enaye has stepped-up to coordinate blood drives at Newtown High School. He too, submitted testimony.
Harry’s mother, Shelley, was being treated for Multiple Myeloma, a rare blood cancer. Blood transfusions are needed to help fight this form of cancer and one way to assure a reliable supply of life-saving is to hold blood drives. Harry and Rory held one in Newtown and the drive was a success, but they learned it could have had twice the impact if not for a shortcoming in state law. Unlike most other states, Connecticut currently does not allow individuals under the age of 17 to be blood donors.
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