Ackert Gets State Legislative Committee Assignments, Issues Budget Challenge to Executive Branch

HARTFORD – State Rep. Timothy Ackert is serving on the legislature’s Commerce, Insurance and Real Estate, and the Higher Education and Employment Advancement committees this session.

Ackert, a Republican, began his fourth term serving the 8th General Assembly District, which covers Columbia, Coventry, part of Tolland and some of Vernon.

“I am ready to get back to work on behalf of my constituents,” said Rep. Ackert. “Reckless budget decisions continue under the current administration. Municipalities and our school districts are being hit hard by the governor, and this will only cause property taxes to skyrocket. I encourage the governor and the majority party to have us in the room this session to help get Connecticut firing on all cylinders.”

The governor’s budget remarks to the General Assembly this week indicated that towns and cities would once again be a target for cuts, Ackert said.

“It is unfortunate that the governor continues to target municipalities,” Ackert said. “The current path that the governor is on is unsustainable, unpredictable and unfairly targets well run towns. Municipal leaders throughout the state are running their towns with lean budgets, yet the governor continues to ask them to give more and more back to the state.”

In one of his first votes taken this season, Ackert sided with House Republican colleagues on an amendment to change the House Rules to require that the General Assembly to review all state employee contracts. The amendment was voted down by the majority party Democrats along party lines, 76-72.

“I am discouraged by the majority party and their new leadership for rejecting this amendment,” Ackert said. “This amendment is a structural change that will give the people’s body of government control of the negotiations between the unions and the governor, which will provide union employees and nonunion employees more input on the contracts. It is important that all residents have their voice heard on this matter.”

Photo Credit: House Republicans