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Committee work is winding down, and I voted to advance several noteworthy bills out of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee this week.
First, the committee approved a bill to eventually phase out the motor vehicle tax.
In addition, the Finance Committee approved the revenue bill that includes the state’s first permanent refundable child tax credit.
The child tax credit would provide families ($100K single filer, $160K head of household, or $200K joint filer) $150 per child for up to three kids. Plus there is a phase out for every $1,000 earned above those thresholds, with households losing 10% of the credit’s value.
Other bills moved out of committee include the creation of a state appeals board for valuation of property. I ultimately voted for the bill to move out of committee, but mentioned (in the video below) why I had some concerns with the measure as it moves forward.
These pieces of legislation will be considered by the full legislative body. I will keep you updated on other legislation as the session progresses.
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We all know that Connecticut is the Pizza Capital of the United States, and you’re invited to tell us where to find the best slice! Governor Ned Lamont launched The Pizza Capital Trail, a celebration of Connecticut’s top, independent pizzerias, as chosen by the public.
You can cast your vote for your favorite pizza spots by clicking on the link above through the end of April. Only the top 100 will earn a coveted place on the trail, which will be promoted statewide as part of a campaign to boost local tourism and small businesses. |
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I put my taste buds to the test and hit the Pizza Capital Trail with Reps. Ron Napoli and Geraldo Reyes. We took our job very seriously!
I’m thrilled to share that 25 pizzerias in Waterbury have already been nominated, including Pizza Castle Restaurant on Chase Avenue. The team is going above and beyond to put Waterbury on the map – literally. They’re serving up slices in custom made boxes that read “Connecticut: The Pizza State!” After tasting their pies firsthand, I can confidently say you don’t want to miss it. |
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| Distracted Driving Awareness Month |
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April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has launched a statewide distracted Driving Awareness and Enforcement Campaign to Keep Connecticut Roads Safe.
In partnership with State and local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the campaign will step up efforts to enforce distracted-driving laws for the month of April.
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Nationally in 2022, 3,308 people were killed, and nearly 290,000 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. In Connecticut in 2022, the last year of verifiable data, there were 5,318 crashes attributed to distracted driving that resulted in eight fatalities and more than 787 injuries.
The CTDOT urges drivers to prioritize safety by eliminating distractions while driving. Follow these simple tips to stay safe on the road:
- If you need to send or receive a text, pull over and park in a safe location before using your phone
- Designate a passenger to manage calls and messages while you drive
- Avoid social media use while driving—no post is worth risking your life
- Do not use a vehicle’s “infotainment” screen or other portable video players while operating a motor vehicle
- If you struggle to resist checking your device, enable the “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or place your phone out of reach in the glove box or back seat until you arrive
Click here for more information on distracted driving prevention.
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| Rising Costs of Owning a Vehicle |
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Recent news about tariffs on imported vehicles and parts has raised questions about how this might affect the cost of owning and insuring a car. The Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) wants consumers to understand how changes like these could impact their wallets and what steps they can take to stay protected and save money.
Check out the graphic below for more information. |
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Sincerely,
Larry B. Butler |
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