HARTFORD — State Representative David Rutigliano (R-123) took the oath of office on Wednesday, January 9^th kicking off his new term as a state legislator.

Rutigliano is ready for the new legislative session and hopes to tackle sensible common sense ways to reduce state spending, and bring business and jobs back to our region.

“My hope for the new term is we can finally end the unending budget deficits we have faced that have throttled our state’s economy and stunted job growth,” said Rep. Rutigliano. “I was elected to be the voice of the Trumbull taxpayers and will work to protect families from any additional state burdens, like higher taxes or tolls.”

The legislative session, which gaveled in Wednesday, will stretch through June 5, and lawmakers will work with the governor to set the budget for the next two years. Connecticut taxpayers are expecting an almost $4 billion deficit.

Trumbull constituents can follow committee meetings and House debates as they unfold live on Connecticut’s public affairs television network, CT-N, or by streaming the proceedings online by visiting www.ctn.state.ct.us. 

HARTFORD—State Rep. Dave Rutigliano (R-123) received his legislative committee assignments and House leadership role from House Republican Leader Themis Klarides for the 2019-2020 legislative term this week.

Rutigliano was re-elected to a fourth term on Nov. 6^th and in the days afterward he has prepared himself for the start of the legislative session that opens on January 9^th.

The legislative proposed bill deadline is January 18^th.

Rep. Rutigliano will continue as a key member of the House Republican caucus, having been re-appointed by House Republican Leader Themis Klarides (R-114) as a Republican Whip. This is in addition to his assignment as a Member of the General Law, Labor and Public Employees, Regulations Review and the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding committees.

Rep. Rutigliano will be serving on Finance, Revenue, and Bonding, —the influential tax-writing committee, as a fiscal watchdog for Trumbull taxpayers.

###

TRUMBULL- State Reps. David Rutigliano (R-123), Laura Devlin (R-134) and Ben McGorty (R-122) joined a member of the Salvation Army Bell Ringing Brigade on Wednesday, December 19^th to help raise money outside the Trumbull Stop & Shop for the annual Red Kettle Campaign. 

TRUMBULL– State Representatives David Rutigliano (R-123), Laura Devlin (R-134) and Ben McGorty (R-122) are participating in the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign by ringing bells at the Trumbull Stop and Shop on Wednesday December 19^th from 5:30pm-7:00pm.

The Trumbull State Representatives asking people to join them and spread the holiday cheer for those in need.

The public is invited to support the cause with donations of any size. The Salvation Army provides food, clothing, comfort and care to local residents as well as people in need across the United States. Stop and Shop is located at 100 Quality Street in Trumbull.

WHO: State Representatives David Rutigliano, Laura Devlin and Ben McGorty
WHAT: Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign bell ringing
WHEN: Wednesday December 19^th from 5:30pm-7:00pm
WHERE: Stop and Shop is located at 100 Quality Street in Trumbull
WHY: The Trumbull lawmakers will join fellow volunteers ringing bells to raise money for the Salvation Army this holiday season

All proceeds will be donated directly to The Salvation Army.

TRUMBULL- Trumbull State Reps. David Rutigliano (R-123), Laura Devlin (R-134) and Ben McGorty (R-122) will be hosting four separate ‘Legislative Listening Sessions’ over the coming weeks. The listening sessions are free and all Trumbull residents are encouraged to attend.

The specific dates and details of each session are listed below:

• Saturday, January 5, 10:00am-11:00am at Best Edibles on 4235 Madison Avenue.
• Thursday, January 10, 7:00pm-8:00pm at the Trumbull Town Hall on 5866 Main Street in the Nichols Room.
• Tuesday, January 15, 8:00am-9:00am Bruegger’s Bagels at 900 C, White Plains Road.
• Thursday, January 24, 7:00pm-8:00pm at the Trumbull Town Hall on 5866 Main Street in the Nichols Room.

The three state representatives, who together represent the town of Trumbull in the CT House of Representatives, want to hear from their constituents, encourage them to join their legislators and talk about any issues, questions or concerns related to state government. The deadline for individual legislators to propose bills is January 18^th; residents are encouraged to bring their ideas forward for possible consideration.

The 2019 Legislative Session begins on January 9^th.

Reps. Rutigliano, Devlin and McGorty always have an open door policy and if you are unable to attend any of the four Legislative Listening Sessions listed above, you can reach them by calling 1-800-842-1423 or email their offices’ at  Laura.Devlin@housegop.ct.gov, Dave.Rutigliano@housegop.ct.gov, Ben.McGorty@housegop.ct.gov.

For updates on future coffees or legislative information please visit their legislative websites at www.repdevlin.com, www.reprutigliano.com, www.repmcgorty.com and sign-up for their newsletters.

On Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Trumbull Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Bring your pills for disposal to the Middlebrook School on 220 Middlebrooks Avenue in Trumbull.

Medications must be in original containers, with names crossed out. Expired or unwanted prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and vitamins/nutritional supplements will also be accepted.

Help prevent over-the-counter (cough medicine, pain relievers, etc.) and prescription drug abuse by dropping off any unwanted, expired, or unused medicines, vitamins, or nutritional supplements. All medications must be in original containers, with all names crossed out.

**The service is free and anonymous, no questions will be asked**

No needles or sharps will be accepted.

Examples of sharps include:
• Needles – hollow needles used to inject drugs (medication) under the skin
• Syringes – devices used to inject medication into or withdraw fluid from the body
• Lancets, also called “fingerstick” devices – instruments with a short, two-edged blade used to get drops of blood for testing. Lancets are commonly used in the treatment of diabetes.
• Auto Injectors, including epinephrine and insulin pens – syringes pre-filled with fluid medication designed to be self-injected into the body
• Infusion sets – tubing systems with a needle used to deliver drugs to the body.
• Connection needles/sets – needles that connect to a tube used to transfer fluids in and out of the body. This is generally used for patients on home hemodialysis.
In 2017, Rep. Rutigliano authored a new law which allows for the proper disposal of unused prescription drugs at certain state pharmacies.

The legislation allows up to 50 retail locations during the first year and not more than an additional fifty retail locations in each year thereafter, at Connecticut licensed pharmacies to accept and dispose of unused prescription drugs.

Pharmacies all over the country have started to offer this service, since being allowed by the federal government in 2014. By starting to make this practice legal in Connecticut, we can add another tool in the toolbox for drug abuse prevention.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 27, Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.

As summer draws to a close and back-to-school shopping starts, I wanted to remind you that “Tax Free Week” is coming up, beginning Sunday, August 19 and ending Saturday, August 25.

This one-week event eliminates Connecticut’s 6.35 percent sales tax on clothing and footwear costing less than $100. Please note: This benefit has been substantially reduced from previous years.

Tax Free Week was first enacted in 2000, and applies to most clothing and footwear purchases intended for everyday use. Legislation enacted in 2015 reduced the exemption to clothing and footwear costing less than $100 per item. The “sales tax holiday” occurs the third Sunday in August through the following Saturday.

Since sales tax is calculated after the use of any coupons or discounts, if the final price is less than $100, the sale is exempt from taxes. Clothing or footwear under $100 put on layaway is also tax-free.

For a complete listing of items that qualify as tax exempt and others that do not, please click here.

Feel free to consult with your local retailers and if you would like to review additional details about the event, you can consult the Department of Revenue Services webpage by clicking here.

Brings Safety Awareness to Community

TRUMBULL – State Reps. David Rutigliano (R-123), Laura Devlin (R-134),  and Ben McGorty (R-122) along with Trumbull First Selectwoman Vicki Tesoro, the Trumbull Police Department and Trumbull Public Works Department, the Stop and Shop management team and members of Trumbull Animal Group (TAG) were present for the unveiling of the newest ‘Heat Kills – If you love ’em, don’t leave ’em’ awareness program sign installed at the entrance to the Stop and Shop Plaza off of Quality Road.

Last summer, the Trumbull State Representatives kicked this Public Safety Awareness Program to remind residents about the dangers of leaving children and animals in cars. The goal is recruit businesses throughout Trumbull put up signage and window stickers to spread the word about keeping children and animals safe.

Within the last week, Rep. Devlin has received word from the Westfield Mall in Trumbull that they will also display ‘Heat Kills’ signage in the mall parking lot.

Rep. Devlin said, “These ‘Heat Kills – If you love ’em, don’t leave ’em’ signs and stickers give people an easy way to call the Trumbull police if they see a child or pet in a hot car while they are out around town. I want to thank Stop and Shop for participating in this awareness program.”

‘This is great community program that will save lives. I ask anyone out there to use their good judgment and protect the welfare of your children and pets,” said Rep. Rutigliano.

First Selectwoman Vicki Tesoro said, “This is an important public service program for the Town of Trumbull sponsored by our State Representatives and I support any initiative that helps keep our children and pets safe.”

McGorty said, “I will continue to work with my colleagues to recruit businesses to put signs and stickers at their businesses as a public safety reminder.”

All three legislators said they supported a bill this legislative session which gives immunity to any ‘Good Samaritan’ who enters the car by force and protects the ‘Good Samaritan’ against any potential civil damages or criminal penalties when rendering aid.

Latest News from the State Capitol

Outgoing Gov. Dan Malloy has decided that after seven and a half years in office, he wants to put $10 million on the state taxpayers’ credit card to study the issue of tolls in Connecticut.

Think about that.

As Gov. Malloy is leaving the job…he wants to borrow $10 million of OUR money…to study tolls!

Tolls on I-95, I-91, I-84, Routes 8 and 25, the Wilbur Cross Parkway, the Merritt Parkway, and more.

The state Bond Commission is expected to vote on the $10 million allocation on July 25.

If you want to help defeat this $10 million proposal, please contact members of the Bond Commission and urge them to “Vote NO on the Tolls Study!”

Contact information for members is listed below:

Let them hear you!

Governor Malloy

(860) 566-4840

Benjamin Barnes, Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management

(860) 418-6500, Ben.Barnes@ct.gov

Denise L. Nappier, State Treasurer

(860) 702-3010, state.treasurer@ct.gov

Kevin P. Lembo, State Comptroller

(860) 702-3301, Comptroller.Lembo@ct.gov

George C. Jepsen, Attorney General

(860) 808-5318, attorney.general@ct.gov

Melody A. Currey, Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services

(860) 713-5100, Melody.Currey@ct.gov

John W. Fonfara, Senator and Co-Chair Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee

(860) 240-8600, John.Fonfara@cga.ct.gov

Jason Rojas, Representative and Co-Chair Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee

(860) 240-8500, Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov

For any questions please call my office at the State Capitol at 1.800.842.1423 or email David.Rutigliano@housegop.ct.gov.

Thank you.