House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

March 7, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Kalinowski Supports Initiatives for Senior Security

 

·        End Tax on Pensions, Social Security

·        Expand Tax Freeze for Seniors

·        Expand “Money Follows the Person” Home Care Plan

 

HARTFORD- State Representative Ray Kalinowski (R-100th Dist.) has co-sponsored a number of measures this year that are aimed at helping seniors remain in Connecticut near their families in their later years.  The proposals were unveiled by the House Republicans on March 1st, and are intended to give seniors more economic breathing room and help with the increasing cost of living in the state.

 

“In Connecticut we are paying more than ever before for healthcare and energy, not to mention the seemingly non-stop increase in taxes that hit us every year,” said Kalinowski.  “These things all hit seniors harder than the rest of us.  We need to make keeping our seniors here in Connecticut with dignity and economic freedom a top priority.  This package of bills will help accomplish that.”

 

One bill would exempt certain filers from the personal income tax on pensions and Social Security.  The measure, HB 5541, An Act Concerning a Phase Out of the Personal Income Tax on Pensions and Social Security would exempt pensions and Social Security after a three year phase out period. 

 

Kalinowski is also signed on to legislation before the Aging Committee which would expand last year’s elderly property tax freeze to include more eligible seniors.  The bill, HB 5542, An Act Concerning Eligibility for Elderly Property Tax Relief, would reduce the current age of eligibility from seventy years of age to sixty-five years of age, and increase the income eligibility limits for individuals by $10,000 and married couples by $10,000.   Current levels are $27,700 for individuals and $33,900 for married couple adjusted annually for inflation.

 

Another bill, HB 5638, An Act Concerning Expansion of the Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program is designed to provide funds for seniors to move from nursing homes to home care or community care arrangements.  The bill would expand the current number of participants from 100 to 225 by July of 2009, and 400 by July of 2010.

 

Other provisions in the package of bills would create a program to allow senior citizens to earn property tax abatements by volunteering in their municipality, and increase the eligibility limits for the ConnPACE program from $23,100 to $28,200 for unmarried seniors and from $31,100 to $38,100 for married seniors.

 

The 2007 session of the Connecticut General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn at midnight on Wednesday, June 6th.