David Rutigliano

Rutigliano Supports Boosting Connecticut Tourism

HARTFORD – State Rep. David Rutigliano, a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, voiced strong support for bipartisan legislation aimed at boosting tourism and local economies across Connecticut—both large and small. “Tourism is not just about Mystic or New Haven pizza,” said Rep. Rutigliano. “As a small business owner, I know firsthand how important tourism and visitor spending are to the success of our local businesses and communities. When we attract events—whether it’s a major conference, a youth sports tournament, a college visit, or a weekend festival—those visitors stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, shop in our stores, and explore everything Connecticut has to offer.” “That’s why it’s so important that we continue to recruit events of all sizes and invest in a smart, coordinated strategy that brings more people to our state and encourages them to spend their dollars right here in Connecticut,” he added. The proposal, SB-2: An Act Supporting Local Commerce , would dedicate the existing 1% Meals and Beverage Tax revenue to Connecticut’s municipalities and tourism. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing on March 27 in the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. The 1% Meals and Beverage Tax, enacted in 2019, is applied to prepared food and certain beverages in addition to the state’s standard sales tax. Under the proposal, revenue generated from this tax would be split between the municipality where it is collected and a strengthened, statewide tourism effort. The plan would provide much-needed support to local governments while investing in a coordinated, data-informed strategy to grow Connecticut’s visitor economy. Tourism remains a critical driver of Connecticut’s economy. It supports more than 125,000 jobs, generates significant state and local tax revenue, and fuels economic activity in communities across the state. The industry produces an estimated $19.5 billion in total economic impact and attracts approximately 70 million visitors annually. State officials estimate that for every $1 invested in tourism promotion, Connecticut sees a return of roughly $7 to $9 in tax revenue.

Rep. Rutigliano Looks to Strengthen Drug-Impaired Driving Enforcement

Rep. Rutigliano Looks to Strengthen Drug-Impaired Driving Enforcement HARTFORD — State Representative David Rutigliano (R–Trumbull) submitted testimony before the General Assembly Public Safety and Security Committee this week in support of legislation aimed at strengthening law enforcement’s ability to detect and prevent drug-impaired driving in an effort to make our roads safer. Rutigliano expressed his support for Senate Bill 405 , which would establish an Impaired Driving Enforcement and Drug Recognition Training Grant Program and dedicate a portion of cannabis tax revenue the state of Connecticut currently collects on cannabis sales to help police departments expand training for officers. The proposal would provide grants to law enforcement agencies to train officers in identifying drug-impaired drivers, including specialized training for Drug Recognition Experts (DREs), who are equipped to recognize impairment caused by substances other than alcohol. “Keeping our roads safe should always be a top priority,” said Rep. Rutigliano. “As cannabis becomes more widely available, law enforcement agencies are facing new and difficult challenges when it comes to identifying drivers impaired by drugs. This bill provides the resources departments need to train officers and strengthen enforcement so they can keep motorists, pedestrians, and families safe.” Since the legalization and commercialization of recreational cannabis in Connecticut through Connecticut Public Act 21-1, police departments across the state have raised concerns about the difficulty of detecting drug impairment compared with alcohol impairment, which can be measured using established testing methods. Unlike alcohol-related impairment, detecting impairment from drugs often requires specialized training and advanced evaluation techniques. Drug Recognition Experts play a critical role in identifying impairment, but many departments—particularly smaller or resource-limited agencies—do not have the funding to provide that training. Rutigliano noted that dedicating a portion of cannabis tax revenue to the grant program would help ensure municipalities have the resources needed to properly train officers. “If the state is generating revenue from cannabis sales, it’s only fair that some of those dollars be reinvested in public safety,” Rutigliano said. “This proposal helps make sure our police departments have the tools and training necessary to address impaired driving and protect our communities.” If adopted, the grant program would help expand impaired driving enforcement capabilities statewide, supporting additional training and resources for law enforcement agencies working to improve roadway safety across Connecticut.

Rep. Rutigliano Celebrates Reading with Trumbull Students

TRUMBULL – On Monday morning, students and teachers gathered for their annual assembly at Tashua Elementary School to kickoff reading week, complete with special activities – including a special guest reading by a local state legislator, State Representative David Rutigliano (R-123). Rep. Rutigliano was honored to participate and administer the reading pledge to all the assembled students and read the book, "Thank you Mr. Panda," by Steve Antony. “I want to thank Tashua Elementary School, all the dedicated teachers, Principal Neumeyer, and especially the amazing students for welcoming me back this year to read together,” said Rep. Rutigliano . “With a winter storm on the way and the possibility of losing more class time to snow, there’s no better time to remind our kids to grab a good book and keep reading at home. I truly enjoyed seeing their bright smiles and enthusiasm for learning. Reading remains one of the most powerful tools for a child’s overall growth, helping to shape their imagination, strengthen their confidence, and build the character they’ll carry with them into the future.”

House Republicans, Restaurant Industry Highlights Bill Eliminating State Tax on Tips and Overtime

House Republicans, Restaurant Industry Highlights Bill Eliminating State Tax on Tips and Overtime HARTFORD— Deputy House Republican Leader David Rutigliano (R-Trumbull) along with State Rep. Joe Polletta (R-Watertown), the House Ranking Member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee were joined by representatives from the Connecticut Restaurant Association to discuss House Bill 5010, which would exempt tips and overtime from Connecticut's personal income tax. “If Washington can come together 100 to nothing to give hardworking folks a little breathing room, Connecticut ought to be able to do the same,” said David Rutigliano . “The waitress pulling a double shift, the receptionist working overtime, the police officer missing dinner with their family — they’re not asking for a handout. They’re just trying to get ahead. Letting them keep more of what they earn in tips is simple, fair, and long overdue. In a state as expensive as ours, every dollar matters.” On July 4th, 2025, the Federal government passed H.R. 1 which included a bipartisan proposal to create a maximum deduction of $25,000 for income from tips and overtime for single filers making up to $150,000 and joint filers making up to $300,000. Connecticut is in an affordability crisis. From 2013 to 2023, Connecticut was in the bottom ten states for GDP growth. Our state saw one of the slowest job recoveries of any state post-Great Recession, which then worsened with the Covid Pandemic. Connecticut is consistently ranked among the top five highest tax burden states. Our energy and housing affordability is also consistently ranked in the top five most expensive of states. We cannot allow this trend of unaffordability to continue. This bill seeks to right some of the wrong done to the overburdened residents of our state and conform to the legislation already agreed upon by our federal government as a bipartisan solution to this crisis. Our hard-working waiters and waitresses, police officers and corrections officers, and countless other professions that work long hours to provide for their families deserve some level of reprieve in this unaffordable state.

Carpino & Rutigliano Applaud Vote to Ban “Gas Station Heroin” Kratom

HARTFORD —State Representatives Christie Carpino (32) and David Rutigliano (123) hailed the bipartisan Regulations Review Committee for their vote to approve regulations banning the sale of kratom in Connecticut, citing serious public health and safety concerns. Kratom, sometimes referred to as “gas station heroin,” is an unregulated substance often sold in Connecticut convenience stores and smoke shops, with little oversight regarding potency, purity, or marketing. “Last year, we raised serious concerns in the General Law Committee about the unchecked sale of kratom in gas stations and smoke shops across Connecticut,” said Rep. David Rutigliano, House Republican Deputy Leader. “This is about protecting consumers — especially young people — from a product that is marketed as harmless but carries real risks. I appreciate the Regulations Review Committee taking action to address this threat.” “Connecticut cannot afford to look the other way while an addictive and potentially dangerous substance, like Kratom, is sold over the counter with no meaningful consumer protections, especially for our kids,” said Rep. Carpino, the House Co-chair of the Regulations Review Committee. “These regulations put public health first and close a dangerous loophole that has allowed kratom products to proliferate in our communities.” The approved regulations will prohibit the sale and distribution of kratom products in the state, aligning Connecticut with growing national scrutiny over the substance.