I had an opportunity to attend the Veterans Stand Down event in Bristol last Friday and see first-hand the efforts of so many state agencies and organizations who came together with the sole purpose of assisting our veterans.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs brings together resources to educate and inform veterans on employment opportunities, VA and Social Services benefits, medical and dental assistance, help with housing, and various community resources.

It was great talking with veterans and…

On Friday, the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a ‘Veterans Open House’ for veterans, active duty servicemembers and their families.

PACT Act guidance, VHA healthcare enrollment & eligibility, toxic exposure screenings, and other important services will be available.

The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the Gold Star Families Memorial Auditorium at the Rocky Hill Veterans Home, 287 West Street.…

HARTFORD – State Representatives Cara Pavalock-D’Amato (R-77), Joe Hoxha (R-78) and Sen. Martin (R-31) voted in favor of the state’s $51.1 billion biennium budget that honors the fiscal controls put into place by staying below the spending, bonding, and volatility caps.

One of the most notable inclusions in the biennium budget comes in the way of $800 million in tax relief over the biennium, something Rep. Pavalock-D’Amato, Rep. Hoxha, Sen. Martin and their Republican colleagues championed last spring.…

BRISTOL – State Representatives Cara Pavalock-D’Amato (R-77), Joe Hoxha (R-78) and State Senator Henri Martin (R-31) will be hosting a Post-Session Legislative Update at the Bristol Public Library on Wednesday, June 14.

WHERE:
Bristol Public Library, 5 High Street

WHEN:
Wednesday, June 14
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

If you want to discuss the 2023 legislative session, have questions about state government, are experiencing an issue with a state agency, or have comments you’d like to share, this event…

Earlier this week, I voted against a bill that would place a second constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow for no-excuse absentee voting. This amendment seems redundant and unnecessary considering that just last week the legislature passed HB-5004, An Act Implementing Early Voting, which extends the ability for someone to cast their vote up to fourteen days before an election.

Ignoring bipartisan efforts, HB-5004 was drafted by the Majority party without any input from Republicans. Recommendations…

Sen. Tony Hwang and Rep. Cara Pavalock D’Amato, Ranking Republicans on the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, today slammed the Mar. 14 effort by Democrat Sen. Matt Lesser to use procedural and filibustering tactics to tie up legislation which aims to provide healthcare relief for struggling small businesses and their employees in Connecticut.

 “Sen. Lesser’s maneuverings and delays in the committee today speaks volumes about his misplaced priorities,” the lawmakers said.  “This legislation…

BRISTOL – Route 72 in Bristol will receive some much-needed safety upgrades and other enhancements thanks to a grant provided by the Community Investment Fund 2030 (CIF) Board’s approval of $6.8 million in funding.

The grant will be used toward the city’s Route 72 Corridor Improvement Plan which is focused on pedestrian safety enhancements, traffic calming and streetscape improvements along Riverside Avenue and Park Street.

According to their website, the CIF will provide a total of up to $875 million…

A coalition of business groups, chambers of commerce, and non-profit organizations today joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to support legislation offering healthcare relief for struggling Connecticut small businesses.

HB-6710 allows small employers to pool together to jointly purchase large group health insurance plans directly from a carrier, making health insurance more affordable and accessible.

Small employers with less than 51 employees cannot currently access the large group market.

Many…

Will Save Families Over $210 Per Year Immediately, More Over the Long Term

HARTFORD – Senate and House Republican Leaders detailed a comprehensive package of policy proposals to reduce the cost of electric bills and make energy more affordable over the long term.

The policies will reduce energy costs for CT families by over $362 million per year, saving the average household over $210 next year.  In the long run, the plan will drive down costs by even more and implement important ratepayer protections…

BRISTOL – State Representatives Cara Pavalock-D’Amato (R-77) and Joe Hoxha (R-78) applauded the announcement from the Department of Agriculture to award more than $42,000 in grants to Bristol to enhance farm-to-school programs.

The Bristol Child Development Center was awarded $18,600 for their “Little Chef” program. Established last year, this program teaches students and their parents about nutrition and farming through the use of interactive lessons.

Greene Hills Elementary and Ivy Drive Schools…