Redding Delegation Hosts Productive Town Hall Meeting

REDDING — State Rep. Dan Carter (R-2), State Rep. John Shaban (R-135) and State Sen. Toni Boucher (R-26) hosted a productive town hall meeting at the Mark Twain Library in Redding on September 12. During the meeting the legislators discussed the issues that shaped the 2013 legislative session and answered questions about the state’s new two-year budget.

Following a short presentation, the lawmakers covered a range of topics including driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, the rollback of campaign finance reform, the elevated cost of doing business in Connecticut, the state’s unfunded pension liabilities, the proposal to reduce drug-free school zones, funding for trade schools and confusion surrounding new gun regulations.

“The message we heard at the meeting was loud and clear – our economy continues to languish as a result of Hartford’s anti-business legislation and higher-than-average taxes, driving families and job creators out of the state,” Rep. Carter said. “Hearing firsthand how the decisions of legislative majority leaders are affecting residents is vital as we seek to reduce the cost of living and make Connecticut a better place to call home.”

“The 2013 legislative session saw passage of some far-reaching and controversial legislation, and a failure of our government to address Connecticut's massive budget shortfalls and astronomical unfunded pension liabilities,” said Rep. Shaban, who resides in Redding. “I am grateful to the folks who spent their evening with us to discuss the direction that our state is headed, and what they would like to see being done to address their needs and improve our region.”

"Connecticut has some of the country's most underfunded pension liabilities and just recently received a negative outlook by Fitch. We need to stop spending beyond our means and get our fiscal house in order. Furthermore, I am deeply concerned that my constituents feel they can no longer stay here and are forced to leave because Connecticut's high costs are making it unaffordable. I have pledged to take their message to Hartford so they can have a future here," said Senator Toni Boucher.

The next legislative session will convene in February 2014.

Anyone who was unable to attend the event but would like to speak with Reps. Carter and Shaban and Sen. Boucher can reach them any time by contacting 800-842-1423 or Dan.Carter@housegop.ct.gov or John.Shaban@housegop.ct.gov and Toni.Boucher@cga.ct.gov.