From: Susan Kniep, President
The Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations, Inc. (FCTO)
Website: http://ctact.org/
email: fctopresident@aol.com
860-524-6501
January 5, 2007
Tax Talk 94
Issues Include
*Immigration
*Legislative Session
*Taxes
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NEWS ALERT – FOX NEWS
U.S.-Mexico Pact Revealed:
Billions to Non-citizens
WASHINGTON
-- As a result of lawsuits, the U.S. government released this week the actual
U.S.-Mexico Social Security Totalization Agreement,
an understanding signed between the Bush administration and the Mexican
government in 2004 that would funnel billions of U.S. Social Security funds to
Mexican citizens. Continued at the
following website: http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/1/4/174024.shtml?s=al&promo_code=2BBD-1
**************
CONGRATULATIONS TO
TWO DYNAMIC AND ARTICULATE WOMEN
JUDY ARON AND THERESA MCGRATH
Judy Aron and Theresa McGrath of
West Hartford are two dynamic, articulate women who have been challenging
issues in an attempt to protect the interests of West Hartford and Connecticut
taxpayers. FCTO is honored to have them
contribute to our publications.
Theresa McGrath face0203@comcast.net was recently
featured in the Hartford
Advocate for her efforts on property tax reform. The article is captioned TAX REVOLT and can be found at the
following website …. http://www.ctnow.com/custom/nmm/hartfordadvocate/hce-hta-0104-ht02nc4whart02.artjan04,0,1142819.story?coll=hce-utility-ha-advocate
Judy Aron has established a terrific website captioned Consent of the Governed http://www.yedies.blogspot.com/
. Judy has also provided us with a list
of the bills anticipated to be considered in the 2007 Connecticut Legislative
session, to include a review of the Bills Judy has found most interesting. Please refer to her list below. Also, if you click on the House Bill Number
you will go directly to the Bill.
**************
From Judy Aron, imjfaron@sbcglobal.net
House Bills - http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/ClerkDocList.ASP?house=H&doc_type=lob
Bills
of Note for 2007 session - Good Stuff
Proposed H.B.
No. 5224 REP. O'NEILL, 69th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING ACQUISITION BY
EMINENT DOMAIN OF OWNER-OCCUPIED DWELLINGS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES',
to exempt certain owner-occupied residential dwellings from eminent domain if
the entity exercising the power is an economic development authority and
"taking" of the property is for economic development purposes.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5226 REP. O'NEILL, 69th DIST. 'AN ACT
CONCERNING A MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX FREEZE PROGRAM',
to allow municipalities to enact a property tax freeze program for their
citizens.
Proposed H.B.
No. 5227 REP. O'NEILL, 69th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING A CAP ON
PROPERTY TAXES LEVIED BY MUNICIPALITIES', to reduce the property tax
burden on taxpayers.
Proposed H.B.
No. 5210 REP. MILLER, 122nd DIST.; REP. PISCOPO, 76th DIST.; REP.
CARON, 44th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING BIODIESEL FUEL BLENDS AND THE MOTOR
VEHICLE FUELS TAX', to encourage economic development in the
production of environmentally friendly products by providing a tax incentive
for the use of fuels that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce
dependence on fossil fuels.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5211 REP. MILLER, 122nd DIST. 'AN ACT
CONCERNING BIODIESEL FUEL BLENDS AND DIESEL-POWERED EQUIPMENT, TRANSIT AND SCHOOL
BUSES, MOTOR VEHICLES, BOATS, GENERATORS AND LOCOMOTIVES',
to increase the use of biodiesel fuel blends in order
to benefit the environment and improve public health.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5212 REP. MILLER, 122nd DIST.; REP. PISCOPO,
76th DIST.; REP. CARON, 44th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING BIODIESEL FUEL BLENDS AND
THE PETROLEUM PRODUCTS GROSS EARNINGS TAX', to encourage economic
development in the production of environmentally-friendly products by providing
a tax incentive for the use of fuels that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5020 REP. PANARONI, 102nd DIST. 'AN ACT
CONCERNING RESIDENTIAL WINDMILLS', to provide tax credits to
homeowners who install and use windmills to produce electricity.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5023 REP. PANARONI, 102nd DIST. 'AN ACT
CONCERNING WINDMILLS', to allow windmills on residential lots of
one-half acre or more.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5214 REP. ALBERTS, 50th DIST. 'AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSIONER OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO ALLOW PRIVATE
ENTITIES TO GENERATE HYDROELECTRICITY', to allow the Commissioner
of Environmental Protection to enter into lease agreements with private
entities to generate hydroelectricity.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5216 REP. DREW, 132nd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING
A REDUCTION IN THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX', to provide tax relief to
our taxpayers.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5217 REP. DREW, 132nd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING
THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR RESIDENTIAL WEATHERIZATION PRODUCTS',
to encourage consumers to improve energy efficiency in their homes.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5219 REP. MILLER, 122nd DIST. 'AN ACT
CONCERNING SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY',
to protect the privacy of individuals by requiring the deletion of social
security numbers from certain records.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5220 REP. MILLER, 122nd DIST. 'AN ACT REQUIRING
ELECTRONIC DATA ENCRYPTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS',
to protect individuals' social security numbers from negligent or wilful disclosure.
Proposed
S.B. No. 121 SEN. PRAGUE, 19th DIST.; SEN. MAYNARD,
18th DIST.; REP. OLSON, 46th DIST.; REP. RITTER, 38th DIST.; REP. WRIGHT, 41st
DIST.; REP. URBAN, 43rd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF TOLL BOOTHS
ON HIGHWAYS', to generate revenue for the state of
Connecticut.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5064 REP. WITKOS, 17th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING
EMPLOYMENT OF ALIENS NOT ENTITLED TO LAWFUL RESIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES',
to amend the existing fine for employers who employ illegal aliens.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5109 REP. WITKOS, 17th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING
THE DETENTION OF TRUANTS', to repeal the provisions that authorize
police to detain truants in protective custody.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5117 REP. WITKOS, 17th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING
THE REDUCTION OF THE EDUCATION COST SHARING CAP', to reduce the ECS cap
through a two per cent retention of income tax for towns that do not receive at
least one hundred per cent of their ECS funding.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5133 REP. GIULIANO, 23rd DIST. 'AN ACT
CONCERNING AN EXTENSION OF THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR SOLAR ENERGY
ELECTRICITY GENERATING SYSTEMS', to extend the property tax exemption for
solar energy electricity generating systems.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5135 REP. WILLIAMS, 68th DIST. 'AN ACT
CONCERNING THE INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF PENSION INCOME',
to exempt pension income from the state personal income tax.
Bills
Of Concern
Proposed H.B. No. 5161 Rep. Linda
A. Orange 48th Dist. AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEFINITION OF CHILD FOR
PURPOSES OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUPPORT SERVICES. Statement of Purpose: To provide that
children are not subject to adult criminal penalties until the age of eighteen
and ensure adequate age-appropriate mental health and support services for
youth.
Proposed H.B.
No. 5110 REP. TRUGLIA, 145th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING A SAFE
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH', to require the Department of
Education to analyze the effectiveness of safe learning policies, including antibullying programs, and to report annually to certain
committees of the General Assembly.
Proposed H.B.
No. 5021 REP. PANARONI, 102nd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE
ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY', to reregulate
the electrical industry in Connecticut.
Proposed H.B.
No. 5022 REP. PANARONI, 102nd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING NEW POWER
PLANTS', to regulate any new power plants being
built in the state.
Proposed H.B.
No. 5074 REP. DILLON, 92nd DIST. 'AN ACT INCREASING FUNDING FOR
SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS', to increase funding for
school-based health centers.
Bills To Raise Your Taxes:
Proposed H.B.
No. 5206 REP. PANARONI, 102nd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE FUNDING
OF THE EDUCATION COST SHARING FORMULA AND AN INCREASE TO THE FOUNDATION',
to fully fund the education cost sharing formula and raise the foundation.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5005 REP. DILLON, 92nd DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING
AN APPROPRIATION FOR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS', to provide funds for after
school programs.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5118 REP. STRIPP, 135th DIST. 'AN ACT
CONCERNING FUNDING FOR THE PROVISION OF REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS TO STUDENTS OF
NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS', to provide required textbooks to
nonpublic school students at no cost.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5132 REP. ADINOLFI, 103rd DIST. 'AN ACT
CONCERNING THE SALES TAX ON CERTAIN TAKE-OUT FOOD',
to apply the sales tax to all take-out food sold by grocery stores.
Nanny
State Bills:
Proposed H.B.
No. 5204 REP. GENGA, 10th DIST. 'AN ACT PROHIBITING SMOKING IN MOTOR
VEHICLES WITH CHILDREN', to protect children from second-hand smoke.
Proposed H.B.
No. 5164 REP. ORANGE, 48th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING PARADES AND
PROJECTILES', to prevent children and spectators from
getting in the path of moving vehicles or marching units.
Proposed
H.B. No. 5188 REP. MIOLI, 136th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING
REFLECTIVE SAFETY VESTS IN MOTOR VEHICLES', to provide reflective
safety vests which will increase safety for distressed motorists by making them
more visible to vehicular traffic.
Dumb
Bills
Proposed H.B.
No. 5114 REP. CARON, 44th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE TEACHING OF
THE METRIC SYSTEM', to provide youth with an understanding of
the metric system.
Self
Serving Bills for Legislators:
Proposed
H.B. No. 5065 REP. MCCLUSKEY, 20th DIST. 'AN ACT
CONCERNING PUBLIC PARKING AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND THE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE
BUILDING', to increase the number of parking lot
spaces available to the public at the State Capitol and the Legislative Office
Building.
HMMMM..
H.J. No. 2 REP. MIOLI, 136th DIST. 'RESOLUTION
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE A FOUR-YEAR TERM OF
SERVICE FOR MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND TO CREATE AN ALTERNATING
ELECTION CYCLE FOR SUCH MEMBERS', to reduce the cost of elections while
preserving the continuity of the legislative process.
H.J. No. 3 REP. MILLER, 122nd DIST. 'RESOLUTION PROPOSING
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE FOR DIRECT REFERENDUM',
to provide for direct public participation in the legislative process.