Rep. Buckbee Begins 2020 Session

HARTFORD – On Wednesday, February 5th, the Connecticut General Assembly convened for the 2020 legislative session. This marks the beginning of Rep. Buckbee’s fourth legislative session working for the residents of the 67th Assembly District, which is comprised of New Milford.

“It’s always such an honor to participate in the Opening Day ceremonies to start legislative business for the year. The Capitol complex is full of positivity, I will look to build on that feeling as we get underway and consider important legislative topics,” said Rep. Buckbee.

Rep. Buckbee recently released details on his legislative initiatives this session, which focus on battling opioid addiction, promoting job growth, and investigating ways to increase transportation options for New Milford residents. In addition to addressing those topics, the legislature will be forced to close a projected $90 million shortfall in the current state budget.

“The reason we have a shorter session in even-numbered years is to allow the legislature to adjust the two-year budget. Often, and way more often than it should happen, the budget falls out of balance just months into its cycle. Consequently, the legislature has until May to come up with budgetary policy changes to close any projected deficiencies,” explained Rep. Buckbee.

In his address to the legislature, the governor reiterated his commitment to passing a state-wide tolling plan. A mechanism that Rep. Buckbee views as a “money grab.”

“Money is tight,” said Rep. Buckbee. “We don’t have a lot of wiggle room and I am fearful any means in which the state attempts to gain more revenue from its residents will have an incredibly negative impact in the long-term. Even if tolls were to be implemented on big trucks, the increased prices on goods they carry will ultimately be passed onto consumers. I think a big part of the reason why tolls have not passed is because the treatment of transportation-related tax dollars has been irresponsible.”

Rep. Buckbee points to the redirection of Special Transportation Fund dollars in the current budget cycle as a prime example of the mishandling of state resources. He believes plans that ask residents to foot the bill to pay for infrastructure improvements that the state should, and can already be making, within available appropriations are unpopular because people don’t trust that revenue collected from tolls will be used to pay for infrastructure projects.

The legislature is expected to consider a state-wide transportation plan, one that hinges on tolling, before the end of session. While a specific session date has not been set for a vote, the governor and Democratic legislative leadership have expressed that legislative action will be taken early in this year’s session.

For updates on the discussions being had in Hartford, be sure to check out Rep. Buckbee’s Facebook @Buckbee67.

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