HARTFORD – Senator Tony Hwang (R-Newtown) issued the following statement on Friday on the sixth anniversary of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Today we mourn and memorialize the 26 lives we lost six years ago at Sandy Hook Elementary and we reflect on how our world has changed.

On December 14th, 2012 an unthinkable tragedy happened to our town and our nation.  Our community was rocked by an evil we still do not fully understand, but out of that darkness has come light. We have drawn strength from the families who lost loved ones, and we have lifted our community up to better channel the sense of loss and grief that we all still feel toward creating a better environment for all.

Today, as encouraged by Newtown leaders, we show our remembrance by committing to personal acts of service and kindness rather than at a formal ceremony. I will donate toys and games to the “Toys for Tots” program that will be delivered to children during the holiday season. The goal is to bring a joyous spirit of caring and sharing to children and families.

I am humbled to represent the resilient and proud communities of Newtown, Sandy Hook and all the towns in the 28th District. I am grateful to our community for showing our country, state and neighbors that we must continue to find the strength and resolve to make a conscious effort to Be Kind.

Today I had the opportunity to speak with Mike Bellamy on WICC to talk about the 6th Anniversary of Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, recent threatening events, and recently increased penalties for making a threat against a school.

Today we mourn and remember the 26 lives we lost on December 14th, 2012 and reflect on how that day changed our world. I am humbled to represent the proud and resilient communities of Newtown and Sandy Hook, and I am thankful for the community leaders who help me to lead the way forward.

I also unfortunately had the responsibility to talk about the threats made yesterday across the country and today in Sandy Hook, on the anniversary of this tragedy. I was shocked and disgusted to hear that Sandy Hook Elementary was targeted again this morning as part of this widespread hoax. Threatening a school, whether it be credible or not, is never acceptable and will always be investigated thoroughly and completely. I am proud, however, that the General Assembly was able to increase the legal penalty for threatening a school from a Misdemeanor to a Class C Felony punishable up to 10 years in prison and/or $10,000. I regret that this was a necessary step to take, but I believe it to be a helpful deterrent for anyone who may consider such a threat. It is my hope that along with our strict firearms laws, increased penalties, and a strong focus on mental health we can help make ensure our schools are safe for our children and educators.

State Sen. Tony Hwang (second from left) serves up Thanksgiving dinner at the American Job Center  in Bridgeport on Tuesday November 20t

State Sen. Tony Hwang (left) serves up Thanksgiving dinner at the American Job Center in Bridgeport on Tuesday November 20th.

The state Department of Transportation has released a study on what highway tolls in Connecticut would look like. I have attached a copy of the study for anyone interested in reading it. The plan calls for tolls on all limited access highways in Connecticut. In brief, the idea is to toll motorists for the length of their commute, essentially a mileage tax. The tolls would be congestion priced, that is, the price would be higher during rush hour. The cost to residents will vary. Tolls along this model will cost CT residents who drive to work every day hundreds to thousands of dollars every year depending on the length of their commutes. The plan released by DOT estimates tolls would raise nearly a billion dollars in revenue yearly for the state.

Given the new make-up of the legislature, it seems tolls will be coming in some form to Connecticut. During the campaign, Governor-elect Lamont pledged to toll only out-of-state trucks, based on the model enacted in Rhode Island.  However, this may not be legal, and the American Trucking Associations has filed a federal lawsuit against Rhode Island to stop it.

As the session approaches and progresses I will continue to update you on the progress of this and other issues.

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