Chris Poulos

It was a fantastic final week at the State Capitol to conclude my first session, so please check out the recap below, especially details about our new two-year balanced and bipartisan state budget along with additional noteworthy legislation and other items. As always, thanks for taking the time to read them!

The tax cut highlights of the budget include:

• Includes the largest Personal Income Tax Cut in Connecticut history ($190.6 million in FY 24 and $421.7 million in FY 25)
• Exempts more retiree income from the state income tax
• Continues our car tax cap
• Increases funding to towns, which helps stabilize and lower local property taxes
• Continues property tax credits for homeowners

I was proud to vote for a budget maintains our commitment to promoting fiscal responsibility and stability that continues to strengthen our economy.

Southington will receive more than $46.5 million in state aid in the adopted budget, including $41.6 million for our schools, which is a two-year increase of $711,721. I also previously shared with you that I helped secure a $500,000 grant from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to finish the dredging project at Sloper Pond.

I am grateful for your input and for all the hard work my colleagues put into producing a balanced and bipartisan budget. In the coming weeks, I will further break down provisions in the budget and how they impact you.

If you have any questions or comments about this or any other legislation, please reach out to my office.  
 

I am committed to addressing the uptick in crime in Southington through my co-sponsorship and bipartisan vote for HB 6796, which expands on legislation passed last year to prevent the theft of catalytic converters. 

HB 6669 is a sweeping measure that protects patients and prohibits unnecessary health care costs by promoting more equitable access. This bill establishes a drug discount card program, lowers prescription drug costs, allows for negotiating discounts with drug manufacturers, and centralizes drug purchasing. 

Senior citizens are often the target of scammers and financial predators. SB 1088 allows for qualified financial institutions to put a hold on suspicious transactions to protect seniors in cases where fraud is suspected and investigate further. 

SB 972 Requires police officer training on strategies including crisis intervention and develops recommendations on how police officers and social workers can collaborate to help people with mental illness who are in crisis. 

One of the final bills we passed in the House on Wednesday, SB 642, establishes a veterans' graves upkeep working group to develop a process for family members of deceased veterans who have been buried in a cemetery in Connecticut to address concerns regarding the upkeep of such graves.

The working group will consist of the state commissioners of Veterans Affairs, Consumer Protection and Public Health plus chairs and appointees made by House and Senate leadership and start meeting by September 1. No later than January 1, 2024, the working group will submit a report to recommend any necessary changes in state law.

As a member of the Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee, I am proud to pass legislation that makes sure we honor the final resting places of those who served our great country.

I enjoyed welcoming Carl Verderame IV to the House Chamber on state budget day this Monday.  Carl, a fourth-grade student at Southington Catholic, has an interest in government and history.  After he toured the Capitol, we visited outside the House Chamber, and he was able to observe several press conferences on the budget and early voting.  Before leaving he joined me at my seat in the House and I was proud to introduce him to my legislative colleagues. 

I also welcomed Southington High School Class of 2022 Graduates Ethan Solury and Zach Foti to the House Chamber. Both were active is student government in high school and continue to pursue an interest in public service … hopefully not in the 81st District!