Sen. Tony Hwang issued the following statement regarding Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget address:

“On Feb. 7, I was proud to join with Connecticut Senate and House Republicans’ in proposing a plan to reinstate nearly $20 million in education funding that was cut midyear to cities and towns throughout the state. Our plan keeps our promise to towns, to schools and to Connecticut property taxpayers.

“On Feb. 8, the governor told the state he wants to ‘give taxpayers, communities, and businesses more predictability and more sustainability.’

“Unfortunately, the governor’s budget proposal does not back up that claim.

“It is balanced on the backs of towns and every local property taxpayer in Connecticut.

“Make no mistake: Property taxes will rise significantly across Connecticut if the Gov. Malloy budget becomes law.

“Gov. Malloy also balances the budget on the backs of our children and grandchildren. Future generations of Connecticut resident would be saddled with today’s debt, and that’s not sound policy.

“The good news is that the governor’s speech is just the first step in the process. Our new balance of power in the state senate will allow Democrats and Republicans to now sit down and deal with this budget deficit in a thoughtful, responsible way. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues on both sides of the political aisle to put Connecticut back on a path toward true long-term sustainability and predictability.

“That effort will emphasize our commitment to make our towns’ education mission whole. It will emphasize the need to protect vital services for our most vulnerable residents. It will involve measures to create the business ecosystem needed to retain and grow good Connecticut jobs.

“I urge taxpayers in Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport to contact me with any questions they may have about the governor’s proposal. I look forward to joining with my fellow lawmakers in crafting a budget which is fair to towns, schools and taxpayers.”

The governor’s budget documents can be viewed at: http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2958&Q=590066&PM=1

**Sen. Hwang (www.SenatorHwang.com) can be reached at 800 842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov .

I will not stop fighting for our schools, our towns, and local property taxpayers.

Check out my latest State Capitol Video Update here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNGzTJpHzOs .

View our plan to restore the governor’s cuts to education funding at www.ctsenaterepublicans.com .

Send me your thoughts at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov .

Thank you!

Sen. Tony Hwang on Feb. 7 applauded the Connecticut Senate and House Republicans’ plan to reinstate nearly $20 million in education funding that was cut midyear to cities and towns throughout the state.

“This is about keeping our promise to towns, to schools and to Connecticut property taxpayers,” Sen. Hwang said.

The Republican proposal would allow the state to restore Education Cost Sharing funding that was cut by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration in December and also close the current budget deficit of $11.9 million as estimated by the Office of Fiscal Analysis. Small cuts spread across several state agencies would pay for the proposal. The plan would also draw funds from a reserve account used to fund state employee raises.

“Local leaders need to be able to plan for the future,” Sen. Hwang said. “The December cuts blindsided towns during the middle of the fiscal year. That was unfair. Our plan restores predictability for towns and emphasizes our commitment to make their education mission whole. We are committed to this fight in the future state budget as well.”
The plan can be viewed at www.ctsenaterepublicans.com .

Sen. Hwang can be reached at 800 842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Hwang (www.SenatorHwang.com) represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.

Public Comments Can Now Be Submitted for Feb. 16 Hearing

Housing Committee Co-Chair Sen. Tony Hwang and Ranking Member Rep. Brenda Kupchick today issued the following statement:

“Area residents can now tell state lawmakers what they think of the controversial affordable housing state law known as 8-30g.

“The CT General Statute section 8-30g law:

• Has been used by developers to bypass local control and zoning regulations and environmental concerns.
• Has caused controversial housing decisions throughout Connecticut after costly and inflammatory court litigation.
• Has the potential to forever alter the unique and historical character of neighborhood architecture and communities.

“This year, we have an opportunity to:

• Take a close look at this law and how it can be improved and adapted to meet changing community needs.
• Receive input from local zoning officials, community leaders and residents from impacted neighborhoods.
• Come to a solution which provides towns with much-needed control and flexibility while also achieving the goal of increasing our stock of workforce housing.

“The Connecticut General Assembly’s Housing Committee will hold a public hearing on the 8-30g law on Thursday, Feb. 16 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

“You can email your comments about the law today to the Housing Committee at HSGtestimony@cga.ct.gov . The comment may be as brief as you like.

• Include your name and town in the email.
• Put “Improve 8-30g” in the email’s subject line
• Copy us on the email at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov and Brenda.Kupchick@cga.ct.gov

“Make your voices heard in Hartford!

“For more information on the law: www.cga.ct.gov/2017/rpt/pdf/2017-R-0013.pdf . Feel free to call us with questions at 800 842-1421 (Co-Chair Sen. Hwang) and 800 842-1423 (Ranking Member Rep. Kupchick).”

Should Connecticut get rid of the state’s personal income tax on Social Security benefits?
I think so!
If you agree, here’s how you can join me in speaking out in favor of providing tax relief to seniors across Connecticut.

A hearing will be held this Tuesday on Bill No. 6987: www.cga.ct.gov/2017/TOB/h/2017HB-06987-R00-HB.htm
Those wishing to submit testimony in favor of the bill can do the following:

1. Email your comment to: AGEtestimony@cga.ct.gov
2. In the email’s subject line, put “Support Bill 6987” .
3. Include your name and town.
4. If you wish, copy me on the email at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov

Those who wish to testify in person may attend the hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 10:00 A.M. in Room 2E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
Please contact me with any questions – thank you!