Community Corner

Taxes, Transportation and 'Executive Orders' On Minds as Legislators Prepare for Session

A town hall meeting Tuesday gave State Sen. Joseph Markley and State Rep. Rob Sampson a chance to hear residents thoughts and discuss what to expect during the upcoming legislative session.


When Southington’s legislators take to the state capitol for the upcoming legislative session, residents would like to see them address taxes, issues regarding transportation and to continue fighting Gov. Dannel Malloy’s executive order, which formed a union for caregivers.

State Sen. Joseph Markley and State Rep. Rob Sampson, both Republicans, came before an audience of approximately 25 people at during an open forum Tuesday night, detailing what happened in the past year, taking questions and hearing residents concerns.

The state’s budget was one of the first items addressed as many residents asked the legislators to find a way to help reduce the state budget and address “corporate handouts.”

“Taxes and spending are going up and businesses are taking advantage of the tax breaks and leaving anyway. They wait until the time is up and they take their business out of state,” said one local resident.

The deal, which provides a promise of 300 new jobs over the next ten years in exchange for a “forgivable construction loan,” left many residents angry over state spending.

Markley said the state will need to find a way to address spending and revamp “loan forgiveness programs” with stricter agreements to keep businesses local, even when the 10 year agreement is up.

“Connecticut is a rare state in that it is one of last states still increasing budget. Last year we increased spending from $17.5 billion to $20 billion.” Markley said. “When I ran, I was committed to finding an alternative to spending and that will remain a priority.”

Markley and Sampson said in order to find success, however, they need to have the support of Democrats, who largely agreed to the increases in spending in 2011.

It wasn’t just taxes that had residents concerned, however. With costs climbing, residents expressed concerns regarding Gov. Dannel Malloy’s decision to pass . The orders formed a union for caregivers, which Sampson said was not what those receiving services wanted.

The talk regarding the orders drew multiple comments in open conversation from Southington residents and Sampson said he could understand their concerns. Rather than helping residents, the orders make it more difficult for those with extensive disabilities to find attendants to provide in-home care at a reasonable cost.

But the legislators weren’t without attack either. Both Markley and Sampson have been opposed to the New Britain – Hartford Busway and residents made it clear to legislators that they felt enhancing transportation was an important issue, not just in Southington, but across the state.

“If we don’t start somewhere, it’ll never get done,” one resident said.

The legislators backed their decision, however, stating that they could not support a $600 million busway when for $100 million, the state could restore the railway from Hartford to Waterbury with stops in each municipality along the way. Markley further said that there isn’t enough parking for the busway, but that the state is determined to make it because it has received federal money for the project.

The legislative session begins on Feb. 8.


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