Sen. Hwang, Senate GOP Unveil Legislative Agenda: “A Confident Future”
Sen. Tony Hwang and the Connecticut Senate Republicans on Sep. 15 unveiled their policy agenda for the 2017 legislative session.
The plan “A Confident Future” presents multiple policy proposals aimed at moving Connecticut in a new direction to grow jobs, renew business confidence, build opportunity, and restore people’s trust in government.
The plan outlines the Republican priorities the caucus will pursue in the 2017 legislative session which begins in January.
“These proposals will put Connecticut back on a predictable and stable financial path,” Sen. Hwang said. “The taxpayers and business owners I represent in Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport want to see Connecticut move in that direction. They are overburdened by ever-rising rail fares, electric rates, and health insurance costs. They have seen two record-setting tax hikes in five years. They have been pushed to the brink and they don’t trust the current leadership in Hartford to do the right thing. These ideas will confront Connecticut’s long- and short-term challenges, foster business confidence and make our state more affordable. I am proud to be a part of this Republican plan.”
“A Confident Future” identifies three main areas Republicans will focus their efforts:
1) Creating Financial Stability and Predictability. A reliable state with business confidence is the best environment to grow jobs. By reforming the state’s spending and borrowing, Republicans plan to improve the state’s financial health to support a more predictable business environment so that job creators don’t have to worry about what new tax proposals could be awaiting them in bad budget years.
Republican budget proposals include properly funding transportation needs without tolls or new taxes like the mileage tax, reducing the size of state bureaucracy, and making long term structural changes to government. The Republican priorities also include specific tax relief proposals to reduce the burdens on individuals and job creators, such as property tax relief and phasing out taxation of pension income.
2) Supporting Families and Growing Opportunity. Connecticut’s future depends on supporting our families and creating opportunities for all to succeed. The Republican plan includes policy proposals to strengthen Connecticut cities and help improve life for families in urban areas. It also includes reforms for the state’s child welfare agency, proposes restoring education funding that was cut in recent budgets, protects seniors and the developmentally disabled, and offers new ideas to improve health care and insurance quality and accessibility.
3) Restoring Trust in Government. The Republican legislative agenda contains proposals to ensure that government operates efficiently and transparently and uses tax dollars as wisely as possible. Proposals include ideas to reduce DMV wait times, eliminate waste, live within our means, strengthen campaign financing laws, and create a more transparent budget writing process.
Attached photo: During the Sep. 14 DOT rail fare hike hearing in Stamford, Sen. Tony Hwang tells a News 12 reporter why he opposes fare hikes. Sen. Hwang and the Connecticut Senate Republicans on Sep. 15 unveiled their policy agenda for the 2017 legislative session. Details of the plan can be found at www.ctsenaterepublicans.com and www.SenatorHwang.com . Sen. Hwang can be reached at 800 842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov . Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.
1 pm Thursday at Fairfield History Museum: How to Lower Your Electric Bill
Fairfield Legislators Hosting Workshop on How to Lower Your Electric Bill
FAIRFIELD– State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) along with State Representatives Brenda Kupchick (R-132), Laura Devlin (R-134) and Cristin McCarthy Vahey (D-133) are inviting Fairfield residents to an informational workshop about lowering your electric bill.
The Fairfield Legislative Delegation will be having an informative workshop ‘Learn How to Lower Your Electric Bill’. Rate specialists from Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) will be on hand to guide you through the process.
DATE: Thursday, September 15th
TIME: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
LOCATION: Fairfield History Museum, 370 Beach Road in Fairfield
Please bring a recent copy of your electric bill.
For more information, call the Representatives at 800-842-1423 or send an email to Laura.Devlin@housegop.ct.gov Brenda.Kupchick@housegop.ct.gov and Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov and Cristin.McCarthyVahey@cga.ct.gov
(photo) Sen. Hwang: “Unaffordable” Health Insurance Rate Hikes Will Hurt CT Families
Will Hurt CT Families
Sen. Tony Hwang released the following statement regarding the finalized double-digit health insurance rate increases approved this month by the Connecticut Insurance Department (related article: http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/regulators_approve_more_double_digit_rate_increases/ )
“Despite our efforts, despite our testimony, and despite our outrage, rates are going up by double digits.
“That’s unaffordable. That’s excessive. That’s going to hurt Connecticut families and impact access to health care. And that’s truly a shame.
“I thank the many area residents who sent me their comments opposing the rate hikes. I hand-delivered those comments to state insurance officials in Hartford, but they have decided to hike rates by double-digits.
“Ever wonder just how high your rates have jumped, say, in the last decade? For a great many people, it’s been more than 100 percent. These rate increases are unsustainable, the reasons given for the increases are weak, and even garnering basic information about the public hearing required dedication, persistence and time.
“It is clear that the state’s health insurance rate process is broken. It lacks predictability, sustainability and transparency. Just try to predict and plan your future insurance costs in this state. It’s impossible. There is no rhyme or reason to it.
“I will continue to push for bipartisan reforms which will bring transparency and predictability to this broken system. Connecticut should change the specific definitions of what would disqualify insurers from excessive increases. And when proposed health insurance rate increases exceed 10 percent, state public hearings should be mandatory.
“These decisions are frustrating, but we should look to it as a key reason why the system must be fixed.”
A chart detailing the rate hikes can be found at: http://www.ct.gov/cid/cwp/view.asp?a=4059&Q=585062 .
Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. He can be reached at 800 842-1421. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com.
Attached photo:
At an Aug. 3 public hearing in Hartford, Sen. Tony Hwang (at podium) testified against proposed double-digit health insurance rate hikes. Sen. Hwang hand-delivered to state regulators the comments of many area residents who opposed the rate hikes. This month, the Connecticut Insurance Department raised rates by double digits. Sen. Hwang said he will continue to pursue bipartisan reforms to this “broken system.” He can be reached at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov or at 800 8
Sen. Hwang Opposing UI’s Proposed 30 % Rate Hike
Sen. Tony Hwang is opposing a proposal by United Illuminating (UI) that would call for a 30 % increase of electric distribution charges to the ratepayer over the next three years.
“Energy costs in Connecticut are the highest in the nation,” Sen. Hwang said. “These potential hikes are unacceptable and unaffordable. A 30 % hike over three years will hurt our most vulnerable residents. I urge consumers to join me in urging that state of Connecticut regulators to turn out the lights on these proposed hikes.”
Consumers can email their comments as soon as possible to dpuc.executivesecretary@po.state.ct.us .
In the email subject line, put: Docket No. 16-06-04. You can also cc Sen. Hwang on the email at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov .
Public hearings will be held (tonight) Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at Bridgeport City Hall and Monday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Kennedy Mitchell Hall of Records on 200 Orange Street in New Haven.
Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport. He can be reached at 800 842-1421. On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com.
