Vernon Rep. Winkler Reports on Legislative Session

VERNON, CT —State Rep. Mike Winkler this week submitted a progress report on the legislative session and his term in office:

This is a partial report on the my first legislative session and a brief preview of the next.

One of my primary goals was to protect towns from having to pay teacher pension costs as the Governor proposed. In this, we were successful.

The Governor also zeroed out Dial-A-Ride funding. I successfully championed Dial-A-Ride among legislators. With bipartisan help, Dial-A-Ride funding was saved and increased. I am working to obtain funding for Hockanum Valley to run a one-day-per-week bus from Vernon to Glastonbury so the elderly and disabled can see their doctors there.

The “short” legislative session begins in February. Only budgetary items are supposed to be debated, but committees can make exceptions. We’ll be dealing with any projected budget deficit.

I am collaborating with legislators in both parties with the goal of fixing the Medicare Savings Program in February. On March 1, 113,000 low income elderly and low income persons with disabilities will lose either $1,608 per year, or their Medicare Part B coverage, if nothing is done. I urge you to contact your state senator to express your concern.

If you’re not in my district, call your state representative.

I am always happy to hear from you on any issue. Call my office at 860-240-8771 or email me at michael.winkler@cga.ct.gov. I am frequently in a meeting, so please leave a message

It is an honor to serve as your representative.

Photo Credit Mike Winkler