Rep. Zawistowski Hosts Windsor Legislative Update
WINDSOR – State Representative Tami Zawistowski (R-61) hosted a legislative update for constituents at Jim’s Pizza on Poquonock Avenue in Windsor Wednesday evening May 1st.
Rep. Zawistowski discussed the major issues with a dozen residents addressing the bills coming before the General Assembly for 2019 legislative session which will conclude on Wednesday June 5th.
The budget passed by House and Senate Democrats in the Appropriations committee spends an extra $118 million over Governor Lamont’s proposed budget and will grow the cost of government by about $1 billion over the previous biennial budget.
Rep. Zawistowski shared, “The budget also includes a raid of the dedicated Passport to Parks fund for projects in certain legislators’ districts – while it is not the largest fund diversion it is certainly the most blatant, and frankly insulting to those who are now paying those new fees on vehicle registrations under the pretext that it will help maintain state parks and forests.”
Following the Appropriations Committee, the Finance Revenue & Bonding Committee approved the revenue portion of the budget, which increases taxes over $2 billion for this budget cycle.
“The door is also being left open to shifting teacher pension costs on to municipalities,” said Rep. Zawistowski. “This would certainly increase local property taxes and leave towns on the hook for a program they didn’t negotiate and cannot control.”
Rep. Zawistowski also provided an update on Tolls legislation noting that the most recent proposal includes 50 toll gantries on I-91, I-84, I-95 and parts of the Merritt Parkway. It is estimated that over 60% of the $1 billion in new revenue would be paid by Connecticut residents and businesses. Windsor should also expect increased traffic on local and state roads such as Routes 159 and 75 if the tolling program is implemented. Republicans have proposed an alternative funding mechanism utilizing existing resources called the Prioritize Progress plan: www.cthousegop.com/tolls.
Residents can contact Rep. Zawistowski via email Tami.Zawistowski@housegop.ct.gov or phone 860-240-8700 and follow www.RepZawistowski.com for the latest news from the Capitol.
