February 24, 2015

This Week At The Capitol

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I would like to update you with what is going on at the State Capitol this week. Below you will find some information regarding proposals that may be of interest to you.

In addition, I hope you will consider joining me at my Legislative Coffee Hours in Old Saybrook on Thursday, February 26th, from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at Dunkin Donuts located on 1635 Boston Post Road (Across from Benny’s).

This coming week is a big one for transportation in Connecticut. The Transportation Committee, of which I am a member, is having a public hearing on Wednesday, February 25th at 10:30 AM in Room 1 E of the Legislative Office Building.

Included on the list of bills to be heard is H.B. 6818, a proposal to re-establish tolls in Connecticut. One of my proposed bills, H.J. 9, which recommends a Constitutional Amendment to protect the Special Transportation Fund from being raided for other purposes, is also being heard Wednesday.

Now that the Governor has released his budget, the Appropriations Committee will be holding public hearings and state agency budget presentations to discuss his proposal from Tuesday, February 24, 2015 through Friday, March 6, 2015.

Times and locations are listed here – budget hearing schedule.

If you plan to testify at any of the state budget public hearings, please submit 30 copies of written testimony at the time of sign-up, but not later than 2:00 PM on the day of the hearing. Testimony received after the designated time may not be distributed until after the hearing.

The Environment committee, of which I am also a member, is having a public hearing on Friday, February 27th at 12:00 PM in Room 1 D of the Legislative Office Building.

A bill I’m supporting that day is H.B. 5709, an act to prevent the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) from going beyond what is required under federal law in designating stormwater sewer systems outside of urban areas. This bill seeks to protect small towns from burdensome unfunded mandates involved in the DEEP’s proposed revisions to the MS4 permit.

If you do not have prior experience testifying at a legislative public hearing please click the following link on the CGA website explaining the process. http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/Content/YourVoice.asp

If you cannot testify at one of the public hearings in-person, but wish to submit written testimony, please email your written testimony in either Word or PDF format to the Committee having cognizance:

Transportation Committee – Tratestimony@cga.ct.gov

Appropriations Committee – APPtestimony@cga.ct.gov

Environment Committee – Envtestimony@cga.ct.gov

The full public hearing agendas are hyperlinked to each bill proposal. For the rules in submitting written testimony please click this link. Each committee has different rules and deadlines.

If you would like to testify in person to have your voice heard, you can get directions to the Legislative Office Building, by clicking HERE.

I’m also interested in your opinions on all issues and any questions you may have. Please e-mail me anytime at Devin.Carney@housegop.ct.gov.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!

Devin Carney

23rd District State Representative

Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook & Westbrook