State Rep. Dauphinais Talks the 2017 Legislative Session With Killingly Residents

HARTFORD – State Representative Anne Dauphinais (R-44) and State Representative Daniel Rovero (D-51) held joint office hours for their Killingly constituents to discuss the current legislative session and provide answers to their local and statewide concerns.

The face-to-face setting allowed the lawmakers the opportunity to address residents’ questions about state employee pensions, special funds and lock boxes, and municipalities taking on 1/3 of teacher’s pensions.

Killingly residents were also extremely frustrated with many of the governor’s proposed budgetary increases, such as the overall increase to the state’s pistol permits fees. Currently the initial fee for first time permits is $140, per the governor’s proposal, that amount would more than double to $370. In addition, five year renewals would also increase from $70 to $300.

“Many residents expressed their concerns over the disappearing jobs and increases to taxes and fees, both Representative Rovero and I want our constituents to know that we hear your concerns loud and clear,” Rep. Dauphinais said.

Neither Rep. Dauphinais nor her Killingly constituents were not in favor of Connecticut bringing back tolls to supplement revenue.

“We don’t need to add another reason for people to continue leave the state and this would essentially be yet another tax to our already overtaxed residents,” Rep. Dauphinais said. “We have a spending problem, not a revenue problem.”