Posted on February 15, 2019 by jdooley

HARTFORD- State Rep. David Rutigliano (R-123) testified in the Insurance and Real Estate committee on his proposal to stop insurers from denying coverage or charging a higher premium if an individual has previous claims histories concerning Naloxone Hydrochloride (Narcan).

Rep. Rutigliano was pleased by the positive reception the legislation, HB-6087 An Act Restricting the Use of Prior Claims Histories Concerning Naloxone Hydrochloride received by members of the Insurance committee during the public hearing.

“We are receiving reports that some people who have filled the prescription for Narcan are being denied life insurance and disability insurance or are being quoted an increased rate for health insurance,” Rep. Rutigliano said.

According to Rep. Rutigliano state residents are being red flagged for possible drug addiction or simply as the ‘use of drugs.’ We must educate that Narcan cannot be self-administered; it is one of the only prescriptions that you have to have filled for others. Read More

Posted on January 30, 2019 by jdooley

HARTFORD- State Reps. David Rutigliano (R-123 today came out against the legislative concept of applying a state sales tax to groceries and non-prescription medicine.

The concept is under consideration by Gov. Ned Lamont, according to published news media reports.

“This ‘grocery tax concept’ is just one of hundreds of terrible pieces of legislation this session which will look to take money out of our family checkbooks. Unfortunately, the majority party has decided to use their election victories to punish middle class working families,” said Rep. Rutigliano.

Groceries and non-prescription medicine are not subject to the 6.35% sales tax currently. The proposal would add both non-prescription medicine and groceries to the taxable items with the ‘promise’ to lower the overall sales tax.

Lamont’s review of sales tax exemptions comes as majority party Democrats are floating additional ways to collect more revenue for the state, including a statewide property tax and bringing tolls back to the state.

Posted on January 14, 2019 by jdooley

Last session, I joined my legislative colleagues to pass two provisions (included within the bi-annual budget) regarding Social Security Income Deductions and Retirement Income Deductions designed to provide seniors with much-needed tax relief. The first eliminated the income tax on Social Security and the second will phase out the income tax on pensions over the next few years.     **Social Security Income Tax Deduction     **Effective for tax years beginning after 2019, individual taxpayers may deduct 100 percent of Social Security income, if federal adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than:     • $75,000 for single filers and married taxpayers filing separately;     • or $100,000 joint filers and heads of household Taxpayers with incomes equal to or greater than the thresholds qualify for a 75 percent deduction. The income thresholds are increased from $50,000 and $60,000, respectively.     **Retirement Income Tax Deductions Effective beginning with the 2019 tax year, individual taxpayers may deduct a portion of retirement income that is included in federal gross income, if federal AGI is below:     • $75,000 for single filers, married taxpayers filing separately, and heads of households;     • or $100,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly To read more about these changes, you can read the Research Report provided by the non-partisan Office of Legislative Research – https://www.cga.ct.gov/2018/rpt/pdf/2018-R-0005.pdf It is recommended that you consult a certified tax preparer regarding any deduction. FOLLOW STATE REP. DAVE RUTIGLIANO Questions? Contact 860-240-8700