Posted on August 14, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
Governor Lamont made a proposal earlier this year that would have eliminated our “Tax-Free Week.” Based on the fact that $1.7 billion in new taxes were recently approved with the two-year budget, I stood firmly against this proposal in order to provide minimal financial relief to the hard-working individuals and families throughout the state.
I am proud to say that his proposal was unsuccessful. Tax-Free Week will begin this Sunday, August 18th, and will conclude on Saturday, August 24th. Many items…
Posted on August 12, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
Hartford – Members of the House of Representatives were called to vote on 392 legislative items throughout the 2019 legislative session. According to voting records provided by the House Clerk’s Office, State Representative Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) participated in every vote, earning a perfect one-hundred-percent voting record. Only 26% of the members of the House of Representatives earned this achievement.
“Without participation, our government simply does not work. It is important that when…
Posted on June 14, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
Hartford – State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) co-sponsored several legislative initiatives, focusing on the delivery and accessibility of substance abuse and mental health resources. According to Buckbee, the opioid crisis has a direct correlation to the absolute necessity of such services and it is a core function of state government to ensure that those protections are provided to Connecticut residents.
“We have folks battling intense addiction, first responders ailing from post-traumatic…
Posted on June 4, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
HARTFORD – State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) stood with his Republican colleagues to oppose the Democrat budget, which came up for debate during Monday’s House session. Legislators were given less than 24 hours to review the document before the Speaker called for a vote. The document is comprised of $752 million in increased taxes over two years, not including the tax on hospitals.
“There is no evidence of structural changes, to help create an environment for economic prosperity, anywhere within…
Posted on May 31, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
HARTFORD – State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) hailed the passage of legislation that will improve the ability for students to enter Connecticut’s manufacturing industry. The bill, H.B. 5333 “An Act Establishing a Pilot Program for the Expansion of Advanced Manufacturing Certificate Programs”, was positively acted upon by the House of Representatives on Thursday evening.
“We are always looking for ways to improve the economic climate in Connecticut. The manufacturing industry has great potential…
Posted on May 23, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
HARTFORD – One of the final bills taken up by the House of Representatives on their Wednesday session was State Rep. Bill Buckbee’s (R-New Milford) proposal to study the use of blockchain technology to collect voter information. Similarly, Buckbee had played an integral part in moving along the initial study of blockchain technology, which was favorably voted into law during the 2018 legislative session.
Blockchain is most commonly known as the technology used in the trading and securing of cryptocurrency.…
Posted on May 15, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
HARTFORD – The House of Representatives approved a bipartisan measure on Tuesday that will provide greater protection against forest fires and the dangers associated with them. State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) was contacted about a current staffing requirement issue by a constituent, Sergio Ligouri, a state trained forest wild fire firefighter who has fought large scale forest fires around the country. Under existing state law, an individual must also be an employee of Connecticut’s Department…
Posted on April 26, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
HARTFORD – State Representative Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) voted against a detrimental arbitration agreement that came before the House of Representatives during the legislative session earlier this week. The agreement will end up costing taxpayers over $500,000 annually by awarding an increase to Deputy Wardens’ base salaries, as well as including a provision for a one-time bonus of $2,000. Despite his opposition, the contract was approved by the majority party, with all Republican members of…
Posted on April 22, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
Hartford – State Representative Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford), State Representative Rich Smith (R-Sherman), and State Senator Craig Miner (R-Litchfield) hosted the 2nd annual New Milford Day at the State Capitol on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. The event was started last year to allow businesses, nonprofit organizations and community leaders to visit the Capitol and showcase what New Milford has to offer the rest of the state.
Rep. Buckbee recognized several of New Milford’s distinguished guests including…
Posted on April 16, 2019 by Greg MacKinnon
Photo: Rep. Buckbee presents a legislative citation to Essay Contest Winner, Aiden Rustigan.
New Milford – State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) sponsored an essay contest asking students at Schaghticoke Middle School to write on Founding Father and local hero, Roger Sherman. Rep. Buckbee recently visited the school and presented the contest’s first place prize to Aiden Rustigan, with Shayne Kayfus taking the second place prize.
“Roger Sherman’s 298th Birthday is this year. The pieces Aiden and…