State Representative Craig Miner

Rep. Miner touts Common Sense Budget proposal

mdillon — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:19:50 +0000

On the last day Connecticut residents have to mail in their tax bills, State Rep. Craig Miner (R-Litchfield) and his fellow House Republicans unveiled their 2011 budget that erases the $736 million deficit for 2011 without raising taxes by consolidating government agencies and shrinking the public workforce and commits $74 million to stimulate job growth.

The balanced plan preserves municipal and school aid, and sets aside $74.5 million to incentivize job growth. Companies that hire the unemployed can earn $17.5 million in tax credits, and the plan establishes a $25 million small business revolving loan fund, and eliminates the job-killing Business Entity Tax.

Rep. Miner, who helped write the plan as the ranking member of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, said this budget, if adopted, can help start turning the state around.

“In the last few days, the Legislature and the Governor have come together for the purpose of dealing with the 2010 deficit. While that job appears to be done, there is no time to waste in solving the 2011 deficit. If the gesture of bi-partisanship has any meaning, then it must be that we must tackle this other piece of the puzzle. Our house will not be in order until we balance our spending with our revenue. We owe nothing less to the residents of this state,” said Rep. Miner.

Some hallmarks of the savings plan:
• $58 million in line item cuts to 2009 levels;
• $64 million in early retirement for state workers;
• $10 million in state agency consolidations;
• $6.4 million to shed state office leases;
• $20 million in privatization of state functions;
• $150 million in state worker concessions, including wage freezes, furlough days and health care;
• $3.8 million in legislative pay cuts, elimination of franked mail and travel.

The budget also makes significant investments in job creation and retirement security:
• $200 million will be paid into the state employee pensions;
• The Business Entity Tax is eliminated to save companies $32 million;
• A Small Business Revolving Loan Fund of $25 million is created;
• Tax credits of up to $17.5 million will be available to companies that hire off unemployment rolls.

Republicans outlined a variety of small and large potential savings in the state work force, including all state workers having wages frozen for one year, which would save $183 million, and one furlough day, which would result in a $9 million savings.

Miner Talks Taxes and Budget Deficits with Northwest Corner Realtors

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:01:08 +0000

HARTFORD — Conveyance taxes, foreclosures and the value of real estate licenses were among subjects discussed this morning during “Realtor Day” at the Capitol, where hundreds of agents and brokers had an opportunity to talk to lawmakers about issues important to their profession. Rep. Craig Miner, for example, spent a portion of his day with Northwest Corner agents — members of the Litchfield County Board of Realtors. Roughly 30 people filed into a first-floor hearing room and Miner listened to them describe issues they’re worried about, such as legislation — it died in committee — that loosened guidelines regarding who can sell properties. Conversation, however, turned to the state’s budget problems. And Miner, of Litchfield, told it like it is. The state’s current-year deficit stands in the hundreds of millions of dollars, he said, and the forecast for coming years looks even worse.

North Street property sale would benefit Litchfield, state

mdillon — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:44:00 +0000

State Rep. Craig Miner (R-Litchfield) today applauded Gov. M. Jodi Rell for announcing the first round of state assets to be offered for sale in an effort to meet budget requirements and reduce the current budget deficit. The list of assets includes the property at 7 North Street in Litchfield (old Litchfield jail).

“We are already almost six months into this fiscal year. I understand the real estate market may not be as strong as we would wish, but the parcel on the corner of North Street and Route 202 would make someone a nice building to create jobs and increase the tax rolls in Litchfield,” said Rep. Miner. “I applaud the Governor for moving forward on this and other initiatives intended to help the state deal with these very difficult economic times.”

The budget approved by the Legislature in September calls for raising $15 million from the sale of state assets in the first year of the budget and $45 million in fiscal year 2011.

Other surplus properties the state plans to sell include the Seaside Regional Center in Waterford, the former Nathan Hale Hotel site in Willimantic, the Bristol Armory and several small parcels currently owned by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Rep. Miner hears concerns from employers

mdillon — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:16:24 +0000

What will another tax on businesses do to manufacturers in this community and others throughout the state? One thing is for certain: It won’t help them create jobs for thousands of unemployed people in Connecticut. That was the message from business leaders here at Alcoa Howmet this afternoon, when Republican state Reps. John Rigby, Larry Cafero and Craig Miner stopped by to talk about the state of the state’s economy and how a controversial budget proposal from Democrats would affect employers and workers in Connecticut. State Sens. Andrew Roraback, Kevin Witkos and John McKinney joined them.

All of the business executives — they came from from Barkhamsted, North Canaan and Litchfield –at the roundtable discussion said the majority party’s proposal to increase business taxes would hurt members of their families: their employees. Laurie Roy, human resources manager at Alcoa, said more taxes would make life event tougher for companies in Connecticut. Check out this story in the Torrington-based Register Citizen. And take a look at this editorial, also from the Register Citizen. Howmet is a global supplier of precision-machined turbines.

Budget can be balanced without raising taxes

mdillon — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:26:26 +0000

In an effort to fuel stalled budget negotiations, my House and Senate Republican colleagues and I offered our third No Tax Increase budget to solve the state’s fiscal crisis through governmental consolidations and spending cuts, but we do not cut aid to towns and cities.

Republicans, using revised budget revenue estimates that required additional adjustments, again demonstrated that the state can balance its budget with no tax increases. Democrats want to raise taxes by a whopping $1.8 billion on businesses and workers with no tax breaks for the middle class. Republicans today proposed cutting the bloated state bureaucracy by an additional $446 million to meet the revised budget revenue estimates.

In the past 20 years, Connecticut’s population has grown by just 6.8 percent. Yet, at the same time, the state’s expenditures have ballooned by 270 percent. To increase taxes at this time, rather than reconsider how we provide services will only make our ability to keep pace in the world that much more difficult. Our budget proposal maintains services to the state’s needy, keeps us in compliance with federal stimulus requirements, maintains funding to municipalities, and does not raise taxes.

Republicans rolled funding back in some state programs to slightly more than 2007 levels. The budget takes a balanced approach, taking into consideration the ability to create and obtain jobs, and the ability of already-strapped taxpayers to pay more taxes. The budget includes:

- Reduces state spending by 4 percent
- Maintains current state aid to municipalities
- Consolidates 23 state agencies into 6
- Less borrowing than the other alternatives
- Maintains funding for social and human services

Rep. Miner is the ranking member of the legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee. Budget negotiations are expected to resume next week.

Information and resources for veterans

aayala — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:51:39 +0000

Here is a variety of contact information and resources for veterans who are eligible and/or seeking assistance:

Support Services
Substance Abuse Services
Connecticut Dept. Mental Health & Addiction Services 800-662-4357
Focus on Recovery Helpline 800-374-2800

Homelessness
National Coalition for Homelessness 800-838-4357

Financial Difficulty
Debt Adjustors, Money Management Inc. 888-845-5669
CHFA Veteran Mortgage Refinance Program 860- 721-9501
US Small Business Admin/Patriot Express 860-240-4894
CT Dept. of Insurance/Consumer Affairs 860-297-3900
CT Dept of Social Services/Veterans Programs 860-424-5024

Emergency Assistance Grants
CT Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Marines’ Fund 800-491-4941
Counseling Needs
CT Military Support Program 866-251-2913
National Crisis Hotline 800-784-2433
National Suicide Support 888-784-2433
Brain Injury Association of Connecticut 860-721-8111
Employment Assistance
CT Dept. of Labor – Veterans Programs 860-263-6514
US Dept. of Labor – Veterans Programs/CT 860-263-6490

Other:
CT Trial Lawyers/VA Appeal Specialists 860-522-4345
Call 211-INFOLINE ANYTIME
Connecticut Department of

Veterans’ Affairs – 2009 Reference Guide for Connecticut Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserves
Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs Benefits Experts Toll Free 1-866-928-8387 or on the web at www.ct.gov/ctva

VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER ROCKY HILL…………860-721-5893
VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER NEWINGTON……….860-594-6604
VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER NORWICH……………860-887-9162
VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER WEST HAVEN…….…203-931-0460
VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER BRIDGEPORT…….…203-336-2570
VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER WATERBURY………..203-805-6340
RESIDENTIAL FACILITY, VETERANS HOME…….…..860-721-5833
SUBSTANCE ABUSE SUPPORT, VETERANS HOME….860-721-5817

United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Information Toll Free 1-800-827-1000 or www.va.gov
VA HEALTHCARE – WEST HAVEN 203-932-5711
VA HEALTHCARE—NEWINGTON 860-666-6951
HEALTHCARE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS 203-479-8043
VA CT WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE 203-932-5711
VA HOMELESS PROGRAM 203-931-4036
ERRERA COMMUNITY CENTER WEST HAVEN 203-479-8000
HOMES FOR THE BRAVE BRIDGEPORT 203-338-0669
FEDERAL VETERAN READJUSTMENT CENTERS
HARTFORD VET CENTER 860-563-8800
WEST HAVEN VET CENTER 203-932-9899
NORWICH VET CENTER 860-887-1755

Active Duty, National Guard and Reserves
TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE ADVISOR 860-524-4908
CT NATIONAL GUARD JUDGE ADVOCATE 860-548-3203
CT FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTER 800-858-2677
CT NATIONAL GUARD FOUNDATION 860-241-1550
CT MILITARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 860-524-4960
EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF GUARD & RESERVE 860-721-5901
NAVY MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY 860-694-3285
TRICARE – HEALTHNET FEDERAL SERVICES 860-326-2073
US NAVY CASUALTY ASSISTANCE (all branches) 800-856-7091

Connecticut’s Military Support Program
FREE & CONFIDENTIAL
COUNSELING 24/7
For Military & Their Families
Group & Individual Sessions
Marriage/Family/Stress/Anxiety Due to Deployment,
Combat & Homecoming
Toll Free 24 hours – 7 Days a Week
1-866-251-2913

First-time homebuyer tax credit

aayala — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:36:55 +0000

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 signed into law on February 17, 2009 has improved the first time homebuyer tax credit.

Highlights of this credit include:
• A refundable credit equal to the lesser of 10% of the purchase price or $8,000. Refundable, meaning the tax credit can offset your entire federal income tax liability (including Alternative Minimum Tax) with any leftover amount being refunded to you.
• The tax credit is on homes purchased that closed between 1/1/09 – 11/30/09. For new construction, the purchase date is considered to be the date you occupy the home.
• Single taxpayers with income up to $75,000 and married taxpayers with income up to $150,000 qualify for the full amount of the credit. The credit begins to phase?out with income above those limits and is phased?out completely for single taxpayers with income over $95,000 and married taxpayers over $170,000.
• You are considered a first?time homebuyer if you did not own a home during the 3?year period before the purchase of the home. If you are married, both you and your spouse must pass the 3?year test.
• The home you are purchasing must be in the United States and used as your primary residence. Vacation homes and rental properties do not qualify for the credit.
• You are not eligible for the credit if you buy the home from a close relative; for example, a spouse, parent or child.
• You will be required to repay the credit if you sell your home within 3 years of purchase.
• You can treat the 2009 purchase as having been made during 2008 and claim the credit on your 2008 tax return.

Key Facts/Figures:
* Credit Amount Lesser of 10% of purchase price or $8,000 ($4,000 if married filing separately)
* Income Limits Phase?Out Single $75,000?95,000 / Married $150,000?170,000
* Date of Purchase/Closed 1/1/09 – 11/30/09

Comparison to the 2008 Credit:
• The tax credit was increased from $7,500 to $8,000.
• Purchase dates were expanded to the end of November 2009.
• The 2008 credit has to be repaid over 15 years. The 2009 tax credit does not have to be repaid!

Rep. Miner meets with sportsmen

jdicarlo — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:32:04 +0000

On Wednesday, April 22, Rep. Miner met with sportsmen from throughout Connecticut as part of Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol. Pictured above, Rep. Miner meets with Dave Pettinicchi, a Litchfield resident, at the Harwinton Rod and Gun Club’s display.

Rep. Miner meets with Mike Fusco, of Terryville, (left) and Jim Stowe, of Torrington, during Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol.

Miner Answers Budget Questions from County Residents During Forum

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:23:30 +0000

WINSTED — Two dozen people showed up tonight for a forum co-sponsored by Rep. Craig Miner, who answered questions regarding the state’s unprecedented fiscal crunch and how the legislature will solve the problem. Miner was assisted Rep. John Rigby, another House Republican legislator from Litchfield County. During the two-hour session at The Gilbert School the two representatives — they both hold positions on key financial committees — provided details of the three budget proposals that have made newspaper headlines recently: one from Democrats, another from Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the Republican “no tax increase” plan. Litchfield resident Miner and Rigby, of Colebrook, answered questions as they came up during the free-flowing session. They tackled subjects such as healthcare co-payments for state employees, prevailing wage regulations and the state’s bond rating. Appreciative residents thanked Miner and Rigby after the event.

Rep. Miner To Appear On CPTV Program

jdicarlo — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:37:47 +0000

HARTFORD- State Rep. Craig Miner, R-66, will appear this weekend on Connecticut Public Television’s (CPTV) “On The Record” program to discuss state budget issues with host Steve Kotchko. Rep. Miner, who serves as Ranking Member (House Republican leader) of the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee, will be joined by committee co-chairman, State Rep. John Geragosian, D-25.

The program is scheduled to air on CPTV on Friday, April 10 at 8:30 p.m., Sunday, April 12, at 10:00 a.m. and Monday, April 13, at 11:30 p.m. Pledge drives may impact program starting times.

The state is currently facing a projected deficit of $8.7 billion for the next two fiscal years and both the largest proposed tax increase in state history and the consolidation of state government have been proposed to address the shortfall.
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