Posted on January 15, 2019 by admin
| In an ongoing effort to keep you aware of the policies of State Government, on occasion I regrettably have to inform you of bad news. As you may have heard or read, electric rate increases affecting United Illuminating and Eversource customers went into effect January 1st.
The rate increases were approved last fall by the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA), which operates independent of the legislature and is statutorily charged with providing oversight for the rates and services of Connecticut’s investor owned electricity, natural gas and water and companies. Standard service generation rates for United Illuminating customers will increase by approximately 24% from its current rate of 9.05¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh) to 11.23¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh). The standard service generation rates for Eversource customers will increase from 8.53¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh) to 10.14¢ per kilowatt hour (kWh), an overall increase of 18.9%. On average, the monthly bill for United Illuminating standard service customers will increase by $16.35. Eversource standard service customers that use 750 kilowatt hours/month will see a monthly bill increase of $12.08 per month. I’m writing to remind you that UI and Eversource customers have the option of searching for cheaper standard service generation rates through the Energize Connecticut web portal. Click here to view a full list of suppliers and their rates. As always, customers who are considering an alternative supply should carefully review price, terms, length of contract, enrollment, early termination, and other potential fees when comparing options. I hope this information has been helpful. As always, if you would like to connect with me, please call: 1(800) 842-1423 or email: Dave.Yaccarino@housegop.ct.gov for more information. Sincerely, |
|
Posted on January 15, 2019 by admin
I am looking forward to representing the interests of the people of North Haven as your State Representative during the 2019 Legislative Session, I can’t help but be reminded of Abraham Lincoln’s words: “A house divided against itself, cannot stand”. These words of caution could not be more relevant where we find ourselves divided on so many issues.
When working with my legislative colleagues on both sides of the political aisle, I believe that the peoples’ interests are best served when a government is united through compromise. I strive to remember that as a country, united we will prosper, but divided we will surely fail.
The third Monday in January, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, reminds us all to conduct ourselves with kindness, understanding, dignity, and to respect every individual uniquely while doing the most good for the most people. As we honor the 33rd annual observance of that day, we must keep alive Dr. King’s lifetime dream that all individuals have the right of equal opportunity regardless of their gender, background or ethnicity.
It is my hope that as citizens of the United States of America, Connecticut, and North Haven, we stay focused on what unites us and remain civil towards each other even during times of turmoil. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best: “we may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”
Posted on January 10, 2019 by admin
| With tax season quickly approaching, I wanted to make sure you were aware of some pertinent information to ensure that seniors in Connecticut receive all of the tax relief to which they are entitled.
Last session, I joined my colleagues in the legislature in passing a budget that provided tax relief for seniors. Namely, we passed two provisions, one of which eliminated the income tax on Social Security and the other phases out the income tax on pensions. Social Security Income Tax DeductionEffective 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:
Furthermore, 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 DeductionsEffective 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:
The deduction is equal to:
Under current law, military and railroad retirement that is included in federal gross income is fully deductible.For more information visit: https://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2985&q=383136.Please share this information with those who may benefit!As always, if you would like to connect with me, please call: 1(800) 842-1423 or email: Dave.Yaccarino@housegop.ct.gov for more information.Sincerely, |
Posted on December 31, 2018 by admin
State Representative Dave Yaccarino (R-87) recently received his legislative committee assignments from House Republican Leader Themis Klarides. Yaccarino was re-elected to a fifth term in November and is now preparing for the start of the 2019 legislative session that will begin on January 9th.
House Republican Leader Themis Klarides named Rep. Dave Yaccarino to her 2019-2021 leadership team as a House Republican Whip, which gives him leadership responsibilities on the House Floor during floor debate.
Additionally, Rep. Yaccarino will serve another term on the legislature’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, and will continue his service on the Commerce and Veterans’ Affairs Committees as well as the Screening Committee.
Rep. Yaccarino was also appointed to the committee on Executive and Legislative Nominations, which reviews all executive and legislative with the exception of judicial nominations, nominations of workers’ compensation commissioners and nominations of members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Yaccarino said, “It is an honor to once again serve the people of North Haven and residents of Connecticut for a fifth term as state representative. I will continue to focus my efforts towards making Connecticut a better place to live, raise a family, retire, and grow a business. As I prepare for the 2019 legislative session with new committee assignments, I encourage you to reach out to me with ideas you may have for bill proposals or simply questions and concerns you have about state government. I am here to listen and be your voice in the Capitol.”
Rep. Yaccarino can be reached by phone at 1(800) 842-1423 or email at Dave.Yaccarino@housegop.ct.gov for more information.
Posted on December 17, 2018 by admin
The fourth new DMV Express service center in 2018 opened on Friday, December 14 in North Haven with State Representative Dave Yaccarino, State Senator Len Fasano, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, DMV Commissioner Michael Bzdyra, and other state and local officials. The opening marks DMV’s continuing effort to improve customer services and provide more convenience for residents across the state. The licensing renewal center will offer appointments up to two months in advance, self-service information kiosks, and text and email messages for a better customer experience.
This state-of-the-art DMV Express center builds on the partnership with Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union. The new license and ID card renewal center is located at 117 Washington Avenue in the Washington Commons plaza, North Haven. In June DMV opened a similar center with Nutmeg in Milford. The other DMV Express centers are located in West Haven City Hall and in Stamford managed by The WorkPlace.
The North Haven DMV Express center will be open every Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Hours could be extended in the future.
Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union will charge a convenience fee of $8.00 per DMV transaction. That fee will be waived for customers who are members of the credit union. The office will not process commercial driver licenses, licenses with endorsements/restrictions for public passengers, suspended driver’s licenses, and “Drive Only” license services. Those services are available at DMV branch offices.
Last year, the DMV solicited requests-for-qualifications from third-party vendors interested in operating license and ID card renewal service centers. This was an effort to spur innovation and create a network of convenient offices in New Haven and Fairfield Counties to replace those no longer available in that region’s AAA Northeast offices.
In northern Connecticut, license renewals and other DMV services are offered through AAA Club Alliance, which has offices in Avon, Cromwell, Enfield, Manchester, Old Saybrook, Waterford, and West Hartford.
