Posted on November 29, 2022
The Speaker called us into a special session on the Monday following Thanksgiving to take urgent action on the potential sunset of the gas tax holiday, increasing funding to the Low Income Heating Assistance Program, continuing free bus fare, and funding essential worker “hero pay” for efforts put forth in the throes of the pandemic. These are all important topics to debate and ultimately provide more funding to, but we fell short of the goal line and New Milford’s residents will pay the price.
I…
Posted on November 18, 2022
I am sharing an urgent consumer alert, regarding Connecticut’s utility companies. Eversource and United Illuminating have submitted electricity rate increase requests to the state’s Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA). These increases would double supply rates, effective January 1, 2023, resulting in increases of $85 and $79 respectively for households that use an average of 700kWh per month.
I have seen social media explode over this issue, and you’re right – these proposals are unacceptable.…
Posted on October 7, 2022
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s important to know that early detection can save lives. I supported a new law this year that will expand insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings. Specifically, it requires coverage for certain genetic testing, including for breast cancer gene one (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene two (BRCA2), under certain circumstances. It also requires post-treatment CA-125 monitoring (i.e., a test measuring the amount of the cancer antigen 125 protein); and (c)…
Posted on September 29, 2022
New laws are going into effect on Saturday, October 1st, and I have highlighted some of the major state policy changes for your review. You can check out all newly effective laws by clicking the button below.
Addressing Crime…
The legislature moved to address rising levels of crime. I supported the passage of Public Act 22-115 An Act Concerning Juvenile Justice and Services, Firearms Background Checks, and Larceny of a Motor Vehicle. The new law improves the ability of local law enforcement to review…
Posted on August 29, 2022
HARTFORD – The legislature’s Appropriations, Energy, and Human Services committees met at the Legislative Office Building on Monday to act on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Plan (LIHEAP) and Low Income Household Water Assistance Program Allocation Plan. State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford), member of both the Energy and Human Services committees, supported an amendment prior to the committee’s action that would supplement $112.3 million to the $79.2 million in expected federal LIHEAP funds…
Posted on August 25, 2022
HARTFORD – The legislature grapples with the reality that one-time federal funding for people who rely on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has evaporated. I want you to know that there’s a public hearing Monday that provides you an opportunity to share your concerns about this topic either in person (via Zoom) or by submitting written testimony. I hope you’ll consider participating by telling state lawmakers about how rising home heating costs will impact you and your family members.…
Posted on August 15, 2022
The House Clerk’s Office recently compiled voting record data for each legislator. State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) has earned a one hundred percent voting record for all roll call votes taken on the floor of the House of Representatives during the 2022 Regular Session.
Rep. Buckbee said, “It continues to be an honor to represent New Milford in Hartford, I will always be sure that your voice is heard!”
Legislators were asked to cast 265 votes on the House Floor, of which Buckbee participated…
Posted on July 29, 2022
New Milford – State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) recently visited the Education Center at The United Methodist Church. Buckbee was invited to learn more about the programs offered by the center. In the previous legislative session, Buckbee supported a comprehensive package of new laws to better the delivery of mental health services to Connecticut children.
“Thank you to Desiree and the entire Education Center staff and team at The United Methodist Church for inviting me to meet you and talk…
Posted on July 18, 2022
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline “9-8-8″ has been activated. This will serve as the universal emergency phone number for mental health crisis and suicide response, which can be called or texted 24 hours a day.
The mental health needs of our communities is an issue I have prioritized while in Hartford. Improving the mental health resources available is key to supporting our friends and loved ones and this resource is important.
For additional resources I encourage you to visit the Department…
Posted on June 14, 2022
HARTFORD – State Rep. Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) has spearheaded an initiative to use federal resource dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to create a grant program that would help Connecticut towns procure the necessary level of funding to hire additional school resource officers (SRO). Last week, Buckbee penned a letter to Gov. Lamont to formally request the matching grant program be established, which drew the support of his fellow House Republican colleagues.
“We have a historically…