State Senator Art Linares voted “no” on the recently enacted, new Connecticut state law, entitled, “An Act Concerning Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety.” Connecticut Governor Daniel Malloy signed the bill into law on April 4.

In explaining his “no” vote the Senator said in a written statement, “Having witnessed the emotional accounts of parents, teachers and citizens after the Newtown tragedy, I am more committed than ever to help create a safer Connecticut.”

He continued, “After much consideration and talking with many residents of the 33^rd district, I decided to vote no on the bill. While I support some of the individual elements such as criminal background checks and discontinuing the early release program for violent felons, I concluded that [the bill] did not correctly address the most important issues of safe neighborhoods, school security, and most importantly, mental health.”

Following three more paragraphs of explaining the reasons for his “no” vote, the Senator concluded, “Now that [the bill] has passed, I will continue moving forward, working with our school superintendents to address school safety issues, with our mental health experts to get access to needed resources, and with gun owners to help them understand the new regulations.”

Sen. Linares represents the 33rd Senate District, which includes Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.

Sen. Art Linares, Lyme First Selectman and COST Board Member Ralph Eno, Deep River First Selectman and COST President Richard Smith, and Rep. Phil Miller.

At a March 4 press conference at the State Capitol complex, the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) voiced opposition to the governor’s car tax plan.

Mayors and first selectmen discussed how the plan would cause municipalities to lose millions of dollars in tax revenue and be forced to make up for that loss in other ways, namely through increased local property taxes.

Sen. Art Linares (www.senatorlinares.com) was among those supporting the town leaders at the press conference.  “No one likes paying the car tax and we’d all like to see it eliminated,” Sen. Linares said.  “But the plan that is before the state legislature would lead to higher property taxes for everyone.  The bottom line is that we simply can’t afford higher taxes.  By working together and speaking with one voice, we can put this car tax plan in the breakdown lane.”

Sen. Art Linares (center) speaks with a taxpayers at his Feb. 20 Town Hall Meeting in Deep River. Sen. Linares’ next Town Hall Meeting will be Tuesday Feb. 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Portland Senior Center, 7 Waverly Ave.

On Wednesday, Feb. 20, State Sen. Art Linares held a 90-minute Town Hall Meeting at Deep River Town Hall.

The meeting, which was attended by about 20 taxpayers, allowed area residents to question Sen. Linares about the state budget and discuss his efforts to make Connecticut more business-friendly.

“We had an excellent discussion, and I thank Deep River taxpayers for stopping by,” Sen. Linares said.  “For those who could not attend, feel free to contact me with any questions you have about taxes, spending, or any topics you wish to discuss.  I can be reached at Art.Linares@cga.ct.gov or at 800 842 1421.”

Residents may sign up for Sen. Linares’ State Capitol e-alerts at www.senatorlinares.com .  His next Town Hall Meeting will be Tuesday Feb. 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Portland Senior Center, 7 Waverly Ave.

Sen. Linares represents Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.

State Sen. Art Linares (left) at the State Capitol complex with former Hartford State Rep. Art Feltman (center) and Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) Executive Director Julio Mendoza (at right)

State Sen. Art Linares on Feb. 4 met at the State Capitol complex with former Hartford State Rep. Art Feltman  and Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) Executive Director Julio Mendoza to discuss policies which can help Connecticut small businesses grow jobs.

Sen. Linares is trying to make Connecticut more business-friendly by eliminating the state’s business entity tax, which is currently paid by more than 118,000 Connecticut businesses.

The Spanish American Merchants Association (www.samact.org), is a Connecticut non-profit organization created to assist business people, in particular Latinos, to acquire a better understanding of economic principles. The organization seeks to promote business expansion, job creation, economic growth, and new entrepreneurship. The group now boasts the membership of more than 500 Hispanic business owners and organizations statewide.

Sen. Linares  (www.senatorlinares.com) can be reached at Art.Linares@cga.ct.gov or at 800 842 1421.  He represents Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook.

Art Linares running for the 33rd district State Senate

The last Republican Senator to serve the people of the 33^rd district, Ed Munster has announced his support for Art Linares of Westbrook CT for the position he once held. Calling Linares the future of the Republican Party, Munster called upon his former constituents to join the campaign and donate to Linares who is in the process of raising money for his campaign in November.

Munster, a former Congressional candidate, who came very close to winning the election in 1994, made his opinion known in a letter to the Linares campaign earlier this week. He called upon all Republicans to rally behind Linares who is seeking the Senate office for the first time.  Linares is a confident, intelligent and dynamic candidate who can think outside the box and bring a different way of thinking to Hartford. He is a strong and hardworking candidate who has the best chance of winning the Senate seat for the first time in a long time, according to Munster.  Linares in a phone conversation thanked Munster for his support and asked Munster for continued  advice going into November.

Linares is the founder of Green Skies energy in Middletown and is a former aide to Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, working in his Washington DC office until this past December.

For more information Contact: Ben Mitchell Presssecretary@artlinares.com

State Representative Marilyn Giuliano (R-23)

HARTFORD—Today marks the beginning of the 2012 Legislative Session, which is another opportunity to take a good, hard look at improving the way Connecticut does business.

State Representative Marilyn Giuliano (R-23) felt encouraged as she stood among House and Senate legislative leadership today.  She has her own distinct set of priorities to tackle these next few months.

“First and foremost, I will focus on helping businesses start, stay and grow in Connecticut. This means easing regulations, reducing costs associated with taxes and fees and working closely with our business leaders to determine their needs,” Rep. Giuliano said.  “Small businesses are the backbone of the state economy and job market. Government must serve to help, not to hinder these companies’ successes.  Taxes and regulations do not create jobs.”

Giuliano added, “Despite the passage of the largest tax increase in state history, the state budget is still on track to end the year with a $145 million deficit and we are still borrowing to pay for basic operating expenses.  Enough excuses.  We must aggressively address the underlying problems of our economic situation – we must stop the majority party’s overspending and reduce the size and cost of state government.”

Rep. Giuliano serves as the Ranking Member on the Education Committee and she is looking to find real reform in Connecticut’s education system without a massive price tag.

“This year I will continue to fight for Connecticut’s students.  There is no excuse for our state to lead the nation in spending per pupil without the results to back it up,” Giuliano said.  “One of America’s most expensive education programs also has the largest achievement gap, and we need sweeping changes to better prepare children for college and eventually to enter the workforce.”

 Representative Giuliano represents the communities of Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook.

Old Saybrook's Hal Farrington and State Rep. Marilyn Giuliano pause after the CT Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony held at the state capitol

In December, the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame inducted its 2011 class and of those 10 Veterans, one hails from Old Saybrook.

Hal Farrington, of the United States Army, was recognized for his outstanding community service and veterans’ support nationally and right here in Connecticut.

“Not many people are aware of how many active and retired veterans call Eastern Connecticut home.  Hal has worked tirelessly for over 30 years to connect these heroes to important services for themselves and their families,” said Rep. Marilyn Giuliano, R-23. “His leadership has successfully established Veterans Service Offices at the New London Submarine Base, US Coast Guard Academy and Naval Station at Newport Rhode Island.  These offices provide counseling and financial support to those veterans and families who need it most.”

Farrington most recently served as the Federal Casualty Assistance Officer for the Veterans Administration. He supported families connected to over 148 Active Duty service men and women as they dealt with their loss.  Farrington did not shy away from such an important service when military families are in their greatest time of need.

“I was humbled joining Hal Farrington and his family for the induction ceremony,” said Rep. Giuliano. “It is rare to come across someone who continues to give so much for his country and community. I am glad he has received such a prestigious honor.”

Hal Farrington of Old Saybrook (back row, second from left) and the Class of 2011 inductees to the CT Veterans Hall of Fame stand with LT. Gov. Nancy Wyman after the ceremony held in Hartford.

State Representative Marilyn Giuliano (R-23) will hold office hours throughout her legislative district on Saturday, February 4.
“With the Legislative Session starting shortly, it is of the utmost importance to get feedback from my constituents on what matters to them,” Giuliano said.

On Saturday February 4, the Office Hours will be held at Acton Library (60 Old Boston Post Road,  Old Saybrook) in the 2nd floor conference room from 9:00 am -10:30 am  and at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library (2 Library Lane, Old Lyme) in the community room from 11:00 am -12:30 pm .

Rep. Giuliano encourages residents to stop by if they have any questions or concerns regarding state government and the services it provides.

“I am looking forward to hearing from and sharing with area residents,” Giuliano said.  “These questions and ideas help me be a better representative for our communities.”

Giuliano represents Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook in the General Assembly.

Eastern Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney was one of 95 Democrats who voted in favor of a bi-partisan “compromise debt agreement,” which passed in the House of Representatives on August 1. Joining Courtney in voting for the compromise bill was Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who returned to the House for the first time, since she was severely wounded by a  gunman in Arizona on January 8.

Also, 174 Republicans voted for the bill, while 95 Democrats and 66 Republicans voted against it. The final tally was 269 votes in favor, and 161 against the measure.

In a statement following the vote Courtney said, “With just hours to spare before the United States would default,” the bill is “the only viable path to avoiding economic catastrophe.”

Courtney, who last Saturday voted for a debt bill sponsored by Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid, stressed that like the Reid bill, “the compromise protects seniors by prohibiting automatic cuts to Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries”
Courtney also said that the legislation “provides long-term peace of mind to families and financial markets by ensuring that we are not engaged in this divisive, unnecessary debate just six months from now.”

However, the Congressman admitted, “This plan is far from perfect, but it succeeds on some critical fronts,” noting that it “locks down a significant payment toward deficit reduction, while also establishing a bipartisan process to address larger savings and tax reform in the future, including waste at the Pentagon.”

The Congressman, whose district includes the Connecticut River towns of Old Saybrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester, Lyme and Old Lyme concluded, “With this long process finally over, Congress must focus its attention where the American people have wanted it all along: on job creation and protecting our fragile economic recovery.”

Congressman Courtney spoke yesterday on the House floor in favor of a balanced solution to address our default crisis and prevent economic catastrophe. Citing a CNN report prior to Speaker Boehner’s speech the night before, Congressman Courtney highlighted that even if the Speaker’s plan passes, ratings agencies still may downgrade U.S. Treasury bonds from their current AAA rating, driving up lending costs and damaging a fragile economy.

As Congress considers proposals to get our fiscal house in order, I have heard from and spoken to hundreds of constituents from across the district who, like you, are concerned that the Social Security and Medicare programs they rely on will suffer major cuts. I share your concerns about reckless cuts to these programs, and I want you to know: I consider it my sacred duty to protect these programs that are the bedrock of middle class retirement security.

Click to watch Congressman Courtney vow to protect Medicare on the House floor.

Seniors have paid into Social Security and Medicare over the course of their lifetime. Cutting promised benefits is not only wrong, but it would have grave economic consequences for millions of older Americans who are faced with increased financial hardship and erosion of their retirement savings. As a member of the Congressional Seniors Task Force, I cosigned a letter to the President last week, raising these and other strong objections about proposed changes to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Preserving and improving a system that works

While it is necessary to address thoughtful modifications to Social Security and Medicare to preserve the programs for decades to come, recent projections by the Trustees confirm that drastic changes to both programs are unnecessary. The 2011 Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees projected that Social Security will remain completely intact until 2036 even if no changes are made today. For Medicare, the program is expected to meet all benefit obligations until 2024 – and 90 percent of obligations between then and 2045. Considering a majority of seniors currently rely on these programs to meet basic life necessities, like groceries and medical care, there is no reason to drastically change benefits.

There is no doubt that raising the debt ceiling and addressing deficit reduction are serious issues that deserve thoughtful and long-term bipartisan solutions. However, the promise of Social Security and Medicare should not be undermined in these negotiations, and I will continue to oppose efforts to scale back benefits in these talks.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me about this subject, or if I may be of assistance in any other way.

Sincerely,

Joe Courtney
Member of Congress

State Rep. Marilyn Giuliano

Representative Marilyn Giuliano, state representative for Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook, reacted to news that Governor Malloy’s proposed budget cuts will likely include eliminating 47 positions from the Department of Veterans Affairs Commission.

A press release from Governor’s Malloy’s office regarding proposed cuts shows the move saving the state $4.7 million.  However, those numbers do not factor in the return of Medicare, Medicaid and VA per diem funds back into the General Fund as required by current state statute.  Veterans Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz stated that for the last four years, Connecticut’s Department of Veterans Affairs has actually returned 131% of its budget back to the state of Connecticut, accounting for more than $8 million extra dollars deposited back into the state’s budget coffers. 

We are still actively engaged in foreign conflicts across the globe and our valiant men and women volunteer to serve our country in armed conflict each day. While we face hard economic times at home, it’s shocking the Governor would think a time like this is the right time for eliminating VA positions and benefits as our brave veterans come home and transition to civilian life,” said Giuliano.           

Giuliano contended cutting positions within the Veterans Affairs Commission will reduce the ability to serve the state’s 280,000 current veterans and those who will be coming home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I believe in fiscal responsibility and that cuts must be made to our state budget, but I don’t believe this is the place to do so. At a time when our servicemen and women are coming home facing a tough transition back into civilian life, and when the VA as a department is actually returning dollars over and above its budget back into the General Fund, we need to look elsewhere for budget cuts. This doesn’t make fiscal sense, and it doesn’t make good sense for Connecticut veterans,” said Giuliano.

Giuliano  represents Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook in the Connecticut General Assembly.

State Rep. Marilyn Giuliano

HARTFORD—State Representative Marilyn Giuliano voted on Monday against a controversial two-year state budget proposal by Governor Malloy and majority Democrats.  The proposal increases government spending, hikes taxes and threatens Connecticut’s fragile economic recovery. The proposal also contains a $2 billion hole of assumed union concessions, yet to be agreed upon by state employee unions.

Majority Democrats pushed their $40 billion budget pact with Gov. Dannel Malloy through the House in a 83 to 67 vote with 15 Democrats joining Republicans in voting against the proposal. The Democratic package narrowly passed in the state Senate in a 19 to 17 vote.

Giuliano expressed her deep concern today about the levels of taxation and increased spending in Governor Dannel Malloy’s proposed budget. “The tax hikes begin retroactively and will hit all Connecticut wage earners and homeowners. In this proposal, everything from non-prescription drugs, to valet services, to real-estate transactions will see new taxes. It also eliminates tax-free exemptions for low- cost clothing items and shoes under $50 to name a few. We’re seeing all this without curbing in state spending. In times like these, that’s just irresponsible,” said Giuliano.

The budget also slashes the by 40 percent the $500 property tax exemption for Connecticut homeowners. “The quality of everyday life is what’s at stake here. We are being hit with inflation, saddled with debt, the federal government is reaching into our pockets asking for more, energy prices are soaring, gasoline is through the roof, basic items like food costs are up.  All of these combined are causing our overall cost of living to skyrocket. This tax package only hurts more.  Sadly, it’s our most vulnerable who are on fixed incomes such as Social Security or unemployment that will suffer most,” said

Giuliano was particularly concerned about the controversial tax increase on job providers. “With an unemployment that is higher than the national average at just over 9 percent, this is not the time to tax job providers.

Prior to the vote, Republican’s offered an alternative “no tax increase” budget on the floor. This proposal rolled back government spending and size to levels in prior budget years and closed the deficit with zero tax increases, fully funding municipal and education aid, and preserving the social safety net for those in need. The Republican proposal spent $900 million less than the plan approved Wednesday by House Democrats.
Among the steps Republicans used for savings in their “no tax increase” budget:

• Enhanced Medicaid fraud detection units will save roughly $224 million in wrongful payments.
• Republicans plan to save more than $46 million through agency consolidations.
• State government will be streamlined through attrition and reduction in the 54,000- state payroll.
• No money will be borrowed for day-to-day state operations.
• More than $200 million in the state’s highest cost debt will be pre-paid, thus allowing for greater flexibility in budgeting throughout state agencies.

 “The budget vote offered a clear choice. We can either continue the irresponsible tax and spend policies of the past – or we can listen to the people of Connecticut and offer real solutions to governing the state with an eye toward job growth, reducing our debt and making every day living more affordable. I’m proud to be part of the hard work that searched for efficiencies and found a way to balance the budget without any raising taxes, but sorry that budget did not pass,” said Giuliano.

Giuliano represents Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook in the General Assembly.