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Guglielmo proposing bills on schools, farms and small businesses

In these snowy days of February the legislature is in full swing. 

Our budget battle has begun.  The governor delivered his budget on Feb. 16 and  the struggle to fix a multi-billion-dollar gap will be ongoing.  While we work on the budget, other legislation continues through the process. 

This year, I have submitted more than 30 bills, many of which were suggested by constituents or came about from problems you brought to my attention. 

Here are a few I submitted this year:

Recently. a family brought to my attention that high school students can enroll in any magnet school they choose but the same does not apply for students who want to attend a vocational-technical or vocational-agricultural school.  Local school boards designate a vo-ag/vo-tech school for their district.  When the family came to me, it was because the designated school for its school district does not offer the program the student would like to study.  My bill would eliminate this restriction and open the doors for students to choose their technical school or magnet school.

Another bill idea came from the small businesses taking part in our popular farmers markets.  Right now there is a food service permit fee businesses must pay to be a part of the farmers market.  I would like to have the fee waived.  Many growers and family owned farms are already struggling.  Why would we want to penalize them anymore?  Waiving this fee may allow them to invest more in their business, thus allowing for job growth and a stronger product market. 

Far from the fields, the next idea involves the cost to towns for publishing election notices in newspapers.  Right now, each community must pay to publish a notice for a primary or election.   I am proposing we allow towns to share the notice and cost of publishing it.  Especially in our region where newspapers serve multiple towns, this is a practical way to free up some budget money and still allow voters the notice they need for election time.

Taxes are a subject no one likes to talk about, but did you know the department of revenue services can notify you three years after you’ve filed your taxes that you made an error?  In many cases the interest on the mistake is more than the original error.  My bill requires the department of revenue services to give you notice of a mistake with in two years.  The limit on time can save someone a lot of money in unwanted interest payments.

Lastly, we have all become familiar with the overhead highway electronic sign boards around the state.  Often we are alerted to an accident, or lately to slippery conditions.  One of our neighbors suggested a wonderful use for the signs- how about announcing a “welcome home” message for returning Connecticut military units.  This gesture would remind us all of the sacrifice our troops make day in and day out.  Welcoming them home is the least we can do.

I appreciate all the suggestions I receive throughout the year.


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