House Republican Press Release

January 3, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Powers, Rep. Gibbons and Rep. Floren: Support House Republican Agenda

HARTFORD – State Rep. Claudia “Dolly” Powers, State Rep. Lile Gibbons and State Rep. Livvy Floren today praised the proposed House Republican Caucus initiatives along with our guiding principle of “Is this legislation good for the citizens of Connecticut.” The focus is on quality of life issues, the economy, the environment and health care.

Some of the initiatives being put forward for debate will be:

· First Time Home Buyers Fund: The state income taxes for recent college graduates who remain in Connecticut would be placed in an investment account and participants would 10 years to use that money for a first-time home purchase.

· Seniors’ pensions would be exempt from state income taxes and senior volunteers would get a property tax break.

· The $250 minimum business entity tax would be eliminated.

· Health care: create portable plans for individuals who don’t purchase plans through an employer and flexible alternatives for businesses and insurance companies that are free of mandates for younger adults aged 19 to 26. Provide additional funding for long-term care facilities and expand health care access by committing more money to community health centers. 

State Rep. Claudia “Dolly” Powers said, “Republicans promote legislation that is good for Connecticut. Connecticut is overtaxed and we are losing some of our best and brightest citizens. I believe these proposals will help keep from leaving our state.”

“These bold initiatives represent common sense ways to address the immediate concerns of all the people of Connecticut. Solutions need to be above partisan party politics and accomplish goals that are in everyone’s best interests. That’s our job,” said State Rep. Livvy Floren.

State Rep. Lile Gibbons said, “These are not new issues before the Legislature. The difference this year is the state is enjoyinging a budget surplus so we are dealing from strength on economic initiatives. We are all-both sides of the aisle- looking for solutions that help the people of Connecticut live independent, safe, more productive lives.