Posted on November 18, 2019 by admin
On Thursday, November 21st, I will be co-hosting a discussion on youth vaping with State Representative Gail Lavielle. Joining us will be a panel of experts, community leaders, educators, youth counselors, student representatives, and other stakeholders to discuss the dangers of youth vaping, its impact on schools and the greater community, potential ways of addressing it, and more.
The keynote speakers are:
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Dr. Alicia Briggs, M.D., – Chair, Norwalk Hospital Department of Pediatrics
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Elizabeth…
Posted on October 11, 2019 by admin
WILTON – State Representatives Tom O’Dea (R-125) and Gail Lavielle (R-143) invite local residents and business owners to meet with them at the Wilton Library on October 24th for an informational forum discussing new taxes, fees and policies that will affect Connecticut businesses; such as minimum wage increases and paid family and medical leave.
When: Thursday, October 24th, 2019
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Wilton Library, Rimer Room
137 Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT
Rep. O’Dea currently serves as…
Posted on October 2, 2019 by admin
Several new laws and tax increases became effective on October 1st, 2019. These laws cover a number of issues from the opioid epidemic, youth smoking and vaping habits, school security, tax assistance for the elderly, and protection for victims of sexual assault and family violence.
Taxes increased on prepared meals, digital goods (Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, etc.) and motor vehicle trade-ins, to name a few.
I’ve provided more details below, along with useful links for your reference.
As always, if you…
Posted on September 13, 2019 by admin
HARTFORD – State Representative Tom O’Dea (R-New Canaan, Wilton), Deputy Republican Leader-at-Large, calls Democrats’ 7.35% tax on prepared meals a direct burden on the middle and working class residents of Connecticut. This tax was included in the 2020-2021 budget passed this year on May 4th without a single Republican vote.
“When Governor Lamont proposed a grocery tax earlier this year, it was not a popular idea. Nevertheless, Democrat legislators found a way to sneak it into the budget that passed…
Posted on August 17, 2019 by admin
HARTFORD – State Representative Tom O’Dea (R-New Canaan, Wilton) received a 100% 2019 voting score from the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA). Scores were determined by a member’s votes on key issues that supported Connecticut employers and promoted job growth. Legislation important to the business community addressed manufacturing careers, certain environmental issues, and the state budget, to name a few.
“I firmly believe that the only way Connecticut can recover is to dramatically…
Posted on June 19, 2019 by admin
This Friday, June 21st, State Rep. Gail Lavielle and I will be at Orem’s Diner in Wilton to discuss major legislative topics including the state budget, minimum wage, paid family and medical leave, regionalization, the opioid crisis, tolls, and more.
Here are the details:
Who: State Representatives Gail Lavielle and Tom O’Dea
What: Coffee Hour/Legislative Update
Where: Orem’s Diner, 167 Danbury Road, Wilton
When: This Friday, June 21st from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
This is your opportunity to discuss…
Posted on June 15, 2019 by admin
The 2019 legislative session has ended and there is much to discuss. Major items this year included the budget, a $15/hour minimum wage, a new 0.5 percent payroll tax to fund a state-run paid family and medical leave program, the ongoing tolls debate, the opioid crisis and more.
This Monday, June 17th, I will be hosting a Post-Session Legislative Update at the New Canaan Library, 151 Main Street, New Canaan, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This is your opportunity to discuss any issues we covered this…
Posted on May 23, 2019 by admin
Bills Advance to Senate
HARTFORD – State Representative Tom O’Dea (R-New Canaan, Wilton), Deputy Republican Leader-at-Large, voted for and celebrated the passage of two bills addressing the opioid crisis – H.B. 5524, An Act Increasing the Penalties for the Sale of Fentanyl, and H.B. 7190, An Act Extending Good Samaritan Protections for Persons or Entities that Include an Opioid Antagonist within a Cabinet Containing an Automatic External Defibrillator. Rep. O’Dea has signed on as a cosponsor to both…
Posted on April 12, 2019 by admin
CT State Rep. Tom O’Dea (R-New Canaan, Wilton), a member of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, joined WTIC News Talk host Todd Feinburg on April 11th to discuss the latest on tolls. Rep. O’Dea says the math on Gov. Lamont’s latest proposal does not add up. The governor’s plan calls for rates similar to legislative Democratic proposals and projects the same revenue, but his plan calls for about 50 tolling locations as opposed to…
Posted on March 29, 2019 by admin
On March 26, CT State Rep. Tom O’Dea (R-New Canaan, Wilton), a member of the Transportation Committee, joined WTIC News Talk host Todd Feinberg to discuss three tolls proposals recently approved by the committee – S.B. 423, H.B. 7202 and H.B. 7280. Rep. O’Dea and fellow Republican members voted against the bills citing multiple concerns:
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The cost to install and operate tolls
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The cost to bill individuals who do not have EZ passes or those with unreadable license plates
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A provision deeming the…