House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

January 22, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Rep. Alberts Named to Key Legislative Assignments

 

Serving in Leadership Post on Veterans Committee Member of Commerce, Environment and Finance Committees

 

State Rep. Mike Alberts (R-50th, Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret, Woodstock) has been named to four important legislative committees for 2007 and 2008, where he will be working to improve the quality of life for eastern Connecticut. 

 

Rep. Alberts will be a member of the state legislature’s Commerce Committee, Environment Committee, Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee and the Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. As a veteran himself, Rep. Alberts will hold a leadership position as ranking House member on the veterans’ affairs committee.

 

 

House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero, Jr., appointed Rep. Alberts to the committee assignments. Rep. Cafero said, “Mike Alberts is one of the hardest- working and most conscientious legislators when it comes to protecting the interests of eastern Connecticut families, senior citizens and taxpayers. He will work especially hard in addressing the specific needs of northeastern Connecticut.”

 

Rep. Alberts said, “It is an honor to serve in vital roles that affect every citizen, family and small business, with a dramatic impact on the future prosperity of the area of the state.”

 

Rep. Alberts has been one of the strongest voices for eastern Connecticut families since his election in 2004. 

 

Some of the initiatives that Alberts and colleagues will debate this session include:

 

·        Creating Incentives for First Time Home Buyers. The state income tax payments made by recent college graduates who remain in Connecticut would be placed in an investment account, and participants would have 10 years to use the funds for a new home purchase.

·        Exempting Seniors’ Pensions from the State Income tax.  Pension benefits would be exempted from the state income tax, as many other states do.

·        Eliminating the Minimum $250 Business Tax.  To encourage business startups and new job creation, this tax would be eliminated. “Mom and Pop stores pay the same penalty tax just for opening their doors as huge corporations. It’s not fair,’’ Alberts said.

·        Improving Access to Health Care. More health plans should be portable as people change jobs, particularly individuals who don’t purchase plans through an employer. There should be flexible health plans for businesses and insurance companies that are free of mandates for younger adults aged 19 to 26. The legislature must provide additional funding for long-term care facilities and expand health care access by committing more money to community health centers. 

 

Rep. Alberts said the agenda is affordable if the legislature manages state finances properly recognizing the volatility of the state’s revenue streams. He added that the entire list need not be enacted overnight.

 

 “We look forward to working with Gov. Rell and the majority party Democrats who hold a veto-proof majority,’’ Alberts said.

 

Rep. Alberts serves the 50th Assembly District of Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret and Woodstock in the state House of Representatives.