Republicans held a news conference yesterday to unveil progress on a petition process to call the legislature into special session. The call to action outlines five proposals that would provide ratepayers with immediate relief. We will look toward the next session to craft a long-term plan that provides stability and clarity for residents and businesses. To date, all Republican members of the General Assembly have submitted their names to the petition.

To view our news conference from yesterday,…

Consumer Alert – Connecticut’s annual Sales Tax Free Week will take place from Sunday, August 18, through Saturday, August 24. This is an excellent time to buy new clothes for back-to-school or to freshen up your wardrobe. Many clothing items that are marked under $100 will be exempt from the state’s sales tax. The exemption applies to retailers that are physically located in Connecticut and to sales that are made from on-line merchants.

• For more information and specifics for what items qualify…
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Hartford – The House Clerk’s Office has compiled its 2024 vote tally calculations into a voting record report. This annual report details how many times each representative voted throughout the course of the 2024 regular and special sessions. Rep. John Piscopo (R-76) was notified that he achieved a perfect, 100% voting record this year.

“It is an honor to be entrusted with the voice of our community. Voting is perhaps the most critical part of any legislator’s job, and I take that responsibility…

The rise in electric costs have caused many of you to reach out to me. I share your frustration in this seemingly endless cycle of rate increases. Below, I have compiled background information on the issue, ideas we have put forth and will continue to advocate for that will lower costs, and options for you to try and lower your current rate.

Background on Rates…

High rates are due to factors like our location and lack of natural resources, infrastructure upgrades, Connecticut’s high business costs,…

HARWINTON – State Rep. John Piscopo joined his Senate colleagues, Senators Lisa Seminara and Henri Martin, to co-host a Legislative Update at the Harwinton Town Hall on Monday night. The delegation provided a rundown of the new laws enacted throughout the 2024 session and current events impacting the community.

“Thanks to all who made the effort to join us on a Monday night! We had a packed house – a testament to how engaged the folks in our community really are. We had productive discussions about…

Litchfield – State Reps. Karen Reddington-Hughes (R-66), John Piscopo (R-67) and State Sen. Stephen Harding (R-30) applauded the allocation of $800,000 in grant funding to the Town of Litchfield to implement its Sidewalk Enrichment Plan. The funding was announced on Tuesday by Gov. Lamont as part of the Community Connectivity Grant Program (CCGP). This round’s grant allocations totaled $12 million and were dispersed over 17 communities, including Litchfield.

“Mobility and safe access to walkways…

HARTFORD – Each year, the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Research (OLR) publishes a collection of “Acts Affecting” reports. These reports provide a brief explanation of the new state laws impacting various subjects and topics. To date, reports cover the following categories:

• Seniors
• Housing & Real Estate
• Business & Jobs
• People with Disabilities
• Municipalities
• Banking
• Energy & Utilities
• Veterans & the Military
• Town Clerks & Elections
• First Responders
• Animals & Agriculture
• Insurance
• Taxes
• Criminal…
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Several new laws will be going into effect on Monday, July 1^st. I have highlighted some of the major pieces of legislation for your review and encourage you to check out all the newly effective laws.

Click here to review all new Connecticut laws taking effect on July 1^st.

July 1^st New Laws…

School Mandate Relief (Public Act: 24-45)

• This new law creates an advisory council to examine any mandates imposed on local boards of education by the General Assembly and will provide recommendations to remove…
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Retire your worn or damaged American Flags! I will be co-hosting flag drop offs for those who are in possession of an unserviceable American Flag. You can go to your town hall until Thursday, June 13th, to place the flag to be retired in our collection box. It will then be given an official retirement at the conclusion of the drive.

Collection Dates: May 30th through June 13th 

Locations: 

• Burlington Town Hall 
• Harwinton Town Hall 
• Litchfield Town Hall 
• Thomaston Town Hall 

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The nonpartisan Office of Legislative Research (OLR) has published its 2024 “Major Public Acts” report. This report gives a categorical breakdown of the major topics that the General Assembly addressed in the 2024 session. OLR produces this report in consultation with the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA). The legislation included in the report has been broken out into 20 different categories including energy, environment, taxes, and transportation.

To review the report in its entirety,…