Reps Harkins, Miller Participate in Stratford Legislative Forum

State Representatives John Harkins and Lawrence G. Miller fielded questions about the status of local projects such as improvements to the Stratford Train Station and the replacement of the Moses Wheeler Bridge as well as possible tax increases on families, individuals and employers and anti-business bills pending before the state legislature at a recent Stratford Chamber of Commerce legislative forum.

“The State Bond Commission has approved a $20 million allocation that will pay for construction of foundations to support a new Moses Wheeler Bridge over the Housatonic River between Stratford and Milford,” said Representative Harkins, R-120th District. “We also were notified recently that $281,722 in federal economic stimulus funding has been approved to help pay for improvements to the train station, including repairs to the ramp and stairs and other amenities.”

“Flooding in the south end of Stratford stemming from the loss of wetlands upstream that have been filled in continues to be a problem that unfortunately will not be remediated anytime soon because of the state’s budget crisis and the lack of funding for local projects,” said Representative Miller, R-122nd District. “In Bridgeport, Ox Brook overflows its banks frequently. The price tag for remediating that flooding problem has been estimated at almost $25 million. Correcting the flooding problem in the south end of Stratford will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and it could be years before that project is completed. The state just doesn’t have the money available now to do the work.”

Both lawmakers warned that the budget being finalized by the state legislature’s Appropriations Committee, which the majority Democrats control, is almost certain to include tax increases on businesses, families, and individuals. They also noted that several anti-business bills also are pending before the General Assembly. They urged chamber members to remain vigilant and make their objections to the proposals known to their state legislators.

The legislative forum took place March 26th at the Stratford Baldwin Center.