Bethel Delegation Will Host Town Hall Meeting

Four Republican lawmakers will host a public town hall meeting in Bethel next week for citizens to ask questions and hear lawmakers’ ideas for the 2013 legislative session.

State Senators Dan Carter (R-2) and David Scribner R-107) will join State Reps. Michael McLachlan (R-24) and Toni Boucher (R-26) for the hearing, scheduled for February 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Bethel Middle School. Carter says he anticipates two big questions on everyone’s mind -- Sandy Hook and Gov. Dannel Malloy's budget, which will be released Wednesday.

“This gives us about a week to sit and read it,” said Carter. “We need to know what’s going to happen with education, with legislative aid,” and in a variety of other areas.

Lawmakers are also expected to discuss some legislation that may be on the table for the 2013 legislative session, which ends June 5.  Carter says he has been pushing legislation that includes eliminating private donations from Connecticut’s Prevailing Wage Laws. Boucher has championed changes that would of the New Haven Train Line.

“I don’t care what party you are, this is the chance to come out face-to-face,” said Carter. “I like to make it less about what we’re saying and more about the public -- but we’ll give the lowdown on what’s going on.”

The forum will be free and open to the public, according to a release from the Connecticut House Republican Office.

Gov. Malloy's budget is expected to increase spending, according to the New Haven Register. Malloy says his budget will be balanced and include no tax increases, saying "Connecticut is not going to move forward doing the same things that we did unsuccessfully for 22 years."