House Republican Press Release

April 8, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. John Piscopo, Rep. Craig Miner offer amendment to assist volunteer firefighters raise funds

State Rep. John Piscopo (R-Thomaston) and state Rep. Craig Miner (R-Litchfield) today proposed and voted in favor of an amendment on the House floor that would have restored the ability of volunteer firefighters and other non-profits to operate money wheels at annual fund raising events.

The amendment was defeated by an overwhelming margin. Rep. Piscopo and Rep. Miner expressed disappointment in the outcome of the vote on the amendment.

“This was a common sense amendment that would have allowed volunteer firefighters to raise money in a manner they had in the past, and would have been a valuable tool to provide funding for many of our struggling volunteer fire departments,” said Rep. Piscopo. “I am disappointed that my colleagues chose to not help out our hard-working volunteers.” 

“Every volunteer fire department in the 66^th District struggles for every dollar they receive to provide equipment and training for the members,” said Rep. Miner. “Numerous times over the last few years, I have been approached about reinstating language that would allow these hard-working volunteers to simply raise money as they had for so long previously by using money wheels at carnivals.”

Rep. Piscopo represents Burlington, Harwinton Litchfield and Thomaston in the General Assembly. Rep. Miner represents Bethlehem. Litchfield, Morris, Warren and Woodbury in the General Assembly.