Anne Dauphinais

Plainfield Proposed Trash-to-Energy Facility Withdrawn

On Thursday, I joined Senator Heather Somers, Rep. Doug Dubitsky, local officials, and area residents in Plainfield to discuss the proposed trash-to-energy facility and what comes next. While we are grateful the proposal has been withdrawn, my colleagues and I reiterated that we cannot let our guard down. Our communities deserve a voice in decisions that affect our neighborhoods, our environment, and our quality of life. I’ll continue standing with Plainfield and our surrounding towns to fight against this facility. I encourage residents to stay informed, stay involved, and keep speaking up. Your voice matters, and we need our communities to remain united to make sure this proposal stays off the table. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to protect our communities. We must keep the pressure on and make sure local voices are heard!

Dauphinais Visits Danielson Small Businesses, Highlights Local Entrepreneurs

DANIELSON, CT — In order to meet local business owners and learn more about their work, State Representative Anne Dauphinais (R-44) recently visited three Danielson small businesses. During her visits to Dollhouse Art Studio, Amy’s Cakery, and Balanced Bites, Dauphinais had the opportunity to see firsthand the variety of products and services local business owners are bringing to the community. "Small businesses bring so much to our Quiet Corner towns, and it’s important to support the people who take a chance, risk their livelihoods and follow their passions, and create something exceptional right here in our little town of Danielson," said Rep. Dauphinais. Dollhouse Art Studio , owned by Caryn Pierce, recently opened its new location on Main Street in Danielson. The studio offers customizable artwork, greeting cards, pet portraits, jewelry, and a variety of crafts. Customers can also participate in Bob Ross-style painting classes and small-group workshops for up to four people. Amy’s Cakery , owned by Amy Birdsall, specializes in handcrafted cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and other treats for birthdays and special occasions. The bakery has expanded its offerings to include breakfast sandwiches and lunch options, along with gluten-free and keto-friendly sweets. Birdsall recently earned second place in the live cake decorating competition at The Big E, showcasing her talent and craftsmanship. Balanced Bites , owned and operated by Meagen Zach, offers prepared meals and pastries made with wholesome ingredients for customers looking to make healthier food choices and work toward their personal wellness goals. The business features a rotating weekly menu to keep selections fresh and varied. Its approach emphasizes whole-food ingredients, with pastries made using alternatives such as oat flour and recipes that avoid added oils, butter, and sugar. "At the Capitol, I work to stop state policies that could potentially harm the ability of a small business to success." Rep. Dauphinais added, "These businesses are doing a great job finding their little niche in the marketplace and I appreciate everything they’re doing and encourage people to stop in, check them out, and support them.”

DAUPHINAIS CALLS FOR SUSPENSION OF GAS AND DIESEL TAX

Connecticut families are paying too much, and they are paying too much in taxes. That’s why I fully support the call to immediately suspend Connecticut’s gasoline and diesel taxes through the end of the year. Connecticut currently collects a 25-cent -per-gallon gasoline tax and a 49.9-cent -per-gallon diesel tax. Suspending those taxes, even temporarily, will ease the financial pressure families, workers, farmers, and small businesses in my district are feeling right now. To be clear: Connecticut government can afford to provide this relief. Our state has collected billions in taxes from hardworking people and businesses. When government has more money than it needs, we shouldn’t be looking for new ways to spend it. We should be looking for ways to return some of that money to the people who earned it. We can't forget that almost every tractor-trailer traveling on CT highways today is a diesel-powered truck, delivering essential products, like fuel, food or clothing to a business in Connecticut. And as diesel prices go up so do the cost of the goods on the truck. A gas-tax suspension would provide immediate relief at the pump. Suspending the gas and diesel taxes through December 31 is estimated to cost $128 million. Connecticut families shouldn’t have to choose between filling the tank, buying groceries, or paying the bills. It’s time to put taxpayers first and give some of their money back. I fully support suspending the gas and diesel taxes through the end of the year.

Plainfield Residents: New Update On the Proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility

Plainfield Residents: New Update On the Proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility I want to keep residents informed about the latest developments regarding the proposed waste-to-energy facility in Plainfield. I attended the Connecticut Siting Council's October 1 st virtual meeting where they voted unanimously to grant the Town of Plainfield additional time to respond to questions and provide information as part of the ongoing review of the project and against moving to full certification process and against dismissal of this "fast track" application. The Town’s responses are now due October 15 , with an evidentiary hearing and public comment session scheduled for October 22 . Letter from Siting Council here: pe1719_extdcltr-towninterrogresponses_100126_a.pdf The important dates are as follows: Ø October 15: Town/developer responses and major filings due Ø October 22: Siting Council evidentiary hearing + public comment Ø February 3, 2027: Current final-decision deadline Ø August 2, 2027: Extended deadline available under the parties' agreement Importantly, no final decision has been made on the project . The Town of Plainfield continues to participate formally in the CT Siting Council proceeding and is putting its questions, concerns and evidence on the official record. I will continue to follow this process closely and keep residents updated as additional information becomes available. It’s important that our community understands what is being proposed and what it could mean for Plainfield before any final decision is made.

Anne Dauphinais: Your Electric bill is High, It’s NO Accident.

KILLLINGLY- State Rep. Anne Dauphinais had the following statement on high electric bills and the bad policies by the Democrats in Hartford that continue to hurt our state residents. “Connecticut, your electric bill isn't an accident. It's policy. Hartford Democrats want credit because electric bills dipped this year. Here's what they're not telling you. Most of that relief came from two things, a nuclear contract at Millstone that expires next April, and $300 million the state borrowed to cover charges on your bill. That borrowing gets paid back, with interest, by taxpayers. Meanwhile, Eversource is asking for a new 11% rate increase. The Public Benefits Charge on electric bills has cost Connecticut ratepayers approximately a billion dollars each year. It's a list of state programs Hartford decided you should pay for through your electric bill instead of the state budget. I've fought to take the Public Benefits Charge off your bill, and put it where it belongs, out in the open. People deserve to understand what they're paying for when they open their electric bill. Families in Killingly, Plainfield and Sterling can't afford more bad energy policy.”