Rep. Rowe visits with Bove family
State Representative T.R. Rowe recently took some time to meet with the Bove family when they visited the State Capitol on August 24, 2010. Pictured are Rep. Rowe with Martine Bove and her sons James and Phillip.
Rowe, Hwang and Musto Hail Governor’s Signature of Fuel Cell Initiative
Representatives T.R. Rowe (R-Trumbull), Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) and State Senator Anthony Musto (D-Trumbull) all hailed the signing by Governor Rell of critical legislation, which allows applications such as the recent one FuelCell had attempted in the Nichols neighborhood of Trumbull, to have their location changed without requiring the company to begin the entire application process all over again.
The measure was ushered through the State House of Representatives with an amendment offered by Representative Rowe and co-sponsored by Rep. Hwang and Senator Musto. The measure then passed the Senate and was signed by Governor Rell on June 11. The legislation was passed in an effort to assist FuelCell in the process of attempting to locate their proposed natural gas energy facility at another location thus preventing the proposed Nichols neighborhood site from being developed.
Rowe and Hwang Shepherd Fuel Cell Plant Legislation Through House
Representatives T.R. Rowe (R-Trumbull) and Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield)) both hailed the passage of critical legislation in the House of Representatives today which requires the Siting Council to take public concerns into consideration when evaluating applications such as the one currently pending for a Fuel Cell Power Plant in the Nichols neighborhood in Trumbull.
The measure passed as “House Amendment A” on HB 5213, An Act Concerning the Siting Council. The legislation stems from neighborhood concerns about a proposal to place a 3.4 megawatt, natural gas-fueled electric generation plant in a highly residential neighborhood in the Nichols portion of Trumbull. The plant would be within close proximity to three schools and, under current rules, the Siting Council is only required to consider environmental impact in its decisions. Additionally, the council is not required to hold public hearings in affected communities.
Reps. Rowe and Hwang Vote for Deficit Mitigation Plan Without Raising Taxes
State Representatives T.R. Rowe (R-Trumbull) and Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) voted today in favor of a bipartisan measure which closes the current $350 million deficit for the fiscal year ending this June 30. The measure closes the current deficit without raising taxes is step forward in the budget process. However, they noted that the legislature still needed to address a $700 million deficit starting July 1 and it must be fixed before the Democratic-controlled legislature adjourns in May.
“Honestly, we should have been here months ago,” said Representative Rowe. “Since last fall we have seen repeated tax increase proposals from the majority in the legislature. Only nineteen days ago they were looking to increase taxes by $500 million. House Republicans have consistently opposed these tax increases and today we have a package that closes the deficit and does not increase taxes.”
“Had we not dug our heels in and fought these tax increases, Connecticut residents would be picking up a higher tab for government tonight,” said Representative Hwang. “The majority have attempted to increase taxes on income, hospitals, electric bills and estates just to name a few, only to meet opposition. Reaching this agreement on a bipartisan level is important, but the real work begins tomorrow as we look to address the rest of the budget picture.”
Both legislators noted that the General Assembly still needs to close a $700 million budget deficit that begins in FY 2011, and that the legislature must finish that work by the adjournment of the session on May 5th.
“This work should not be left to the next governor and legislature,” said Hwang. “We were all elected to finish this task, no matter how difficult, before this session adjourns. I know that we stand ready to tackle next year’s deficit before session’s end.”
“We can close next year’s budget deficit without tax increases as well,” said Rowe. “Increasing taxes will only hurt the residents of this state that are attempting to recover from this economic crisis, and it does nothing to help. Last September the legislature raised taxes on everyone by $1.2 billion and we still have a $700 million deficit. We can close that deficit with targeted spending cuts, and increased efficiency in government functions.”
