HARTFORD -- As the 2013 legislative session begins to take shape, state legislators have begun the most arduous part of the legislative process - fighting to get the their respective bills approved by committees and signed into law.
During each regular session in odd numbered years, every state legislator has the opportunity to submit bill proposals to the appropriate joint standing committee of the General Assembly. An average of 4,000 bills are offered every regular session year, but only a few-hundred end up being voted into law.
This year, State Representative Christopher Davis (R-East Windsor & Ellington) has introduced over 35 pieces of legislation, most of which relate to economic development, job creation and practicing more fiscal restraint with state funds.
Two bills being proposed by Davis offer different types of tax breaks for businesses that may be struggling under the current economy. One proposal would enable additional local small businesses to apply for tax credits. Davis also submitted a proposal to repeal the business entity tax - the $250 yearly charge for businesses which operate in Connecticut.
To address the large percentage of young professionals and college graduates leaving Connecticut for other states, Rep. Davis proposed a bill that aims to revitalize Connecticut’s urban neighborhoods and provide recent graduates with affordable housing. Davis also proposed providing tax credits for first time homebuyers to further persuade young professionals to live and work within the state.
"Some pieces of legislation I proposed came directly from the ideas and thoughts of the constituents I serve in East Windsor and Ellington and others spawn directly from the number of issues we face here in Connecticut," said Rep. Davis. “Many of my proposals include different ways to improve already existing legislation, while some are new pieces of legislation meant to help small business owners or recent graduates find a job or start a business. Generally, most, if not all, of what I am proposing this year concentrates on making Connecticut more business-friendly - which is an area that I think can be improved."
Some other pieces of proposed legislation include:
- AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEARN HERE, LIVE HERE PROGRAM AND BUSINESS CREATION
- AN ACT CONCERNING BUILDING CODE PROVISIONS FOR SENIOR HOUSING FACILITIES
- AN ACT CONCERNING AN EXPANSION OF THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS
- AN ACT CONCERNING THE INSTALLATION OF PANIC BUTTONS IN ALL SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS
- AN ACT ESTABLISHING A REGISTRY OF CONVICTED ANIMAL ABUSERS
Rep. Davis also introduced several pieces of legislation aimed to curve the amount of costs forced upon municipalities, businesses and tax-payers by requiring that any new mandates or tax increases must now be approved by two-thirds of the general assembly before becoming law (HB 5030, HB 5097) . To help battle Connecticut's budget deficit, Rep. Davis proposed administering the constitutional limitation on expenditures which would force the General Assembly to further adhere to the state's constitutional spending cap (HB 5008).
"Given the current state of our economy, the legislature needs to find ways to lower the cost of government so businesses and families can have more room to breathe and more money in their pockets," said Davis. "Every citizen in our state is feeling the effects of the economy. As legislators, we can make these difficult times easier for people and businesses by simply getting rid of the unnecessary obstacles and costs that are implemented in our state.”
The regular 2013 legislative session will adjourn on June 5th.
Rep. Davis represents the 57th district covering East Windsor & Ellington
