Editor's Note: This letter was submitted for print in the November 1 issue and was mistakenly not included in that issue. We apologize for the error.

To The Editor:

The greatest honor of my life is serving you as Newtown’s State Representative for the past 12-years. Every day, I appreciate the trust placed in me to represent our community in a way that’s balanced, ethical, and considerate of the many perspectives that make our town special.

I’m fortunate to have first been elected before politics became so polarizing and divided. It allowed me to grow trusting, productive relationships with people on both sides of the aisle, many of whom remain integral to my success. This expands Newtown’s sphere of influence, as we work respectfully, together, even on days we may disagree.

Right now, there are many important, difficult issues facing our state and town, beginning with our state’s troubling lack of AFFORDABILITY. We’re among the highest cost states in energy prices, food, housing, insurance, services and more. A prime example of government dysfunction hit us all in August, 2024, when the legislative majority repurposed hundreds of millions of ARPA dollars that should have gone to accrued Public Benefits charges that PURA authorized utilities to bill ratepayers to cover 4-years of unpaid customer electric bills – a hidden tax on paying consumers, and with no vote of the legislature.

I began warning about the dangers of hiding accrued costs off the budget beginning in 2021, and strongly opposed continuing an Executive Order mandating the nation’s only 2-year extension of the original 2-year pandemic moratorium on shutoff of unpaid electric customers’ bills, that came back to haunt us. I also strongly opposed the 2024 “repurposing” of federal COVID Relief Funds for other, non-pandemic-related “legislative priorities” that did nothing to pay down the public benefit debt.

My colleagues and I continue fighting for special session to address these added charges that are, in reality, another way to tax. Refusal of the legislative majority to address this policy gimmick until January 2025 session is tone-deaf at a time when we are all trying to make ends meet. I continue to help find solutions for constituents dealing with these enormous bills, while still advocating for special session.

Despite the electric shock, I’m always hard at work on issues that are more forward thinking, including passage of blockbuster legislation concerning REAL Medicare Choice Reform with Aging-in-Place (PA 24-39) and Nursing Home Quality of Care Reforms in PA 24-141. In Education, we celebrated the opening of the state’s new Office of Dyslexia and Reading. Please visit MitchForNewtown.com, to learn more about my 12 years of service for Newtown.

I humbly ask again for your vote on or before November 5th, and look forward to continuing our work to preserve local control of our schools and zoning for a better Newtown and Connecticut for all, along with my continued commitment to never to raise your taxes!

Mitch Bolinsky

Newtown