Representative Jeff Berger (D-Waterbury) was appointed Chair of the Subcommittee on Municipal Tax Authority on the Commission on Municipal Opportunities and Regional Efficiencies (M.O.R.E) today by Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden) .
“My appointment as chair of the municipal taxation subcommittee will allow me to concentrate efforts to address municipal taxation issues by hearing from both the public and experts. It is our desire to work towards workable revenue neutral solutions such as the elimination of the disproportionate car tax,” Rep. Berger said.
Originally a creation in 2010 of House Democrats, the revamped MORE Commission will include House and Senate members of both political parties as well as local officials. Speaker Sharkey was joined by fellow Democrat and Republican legislative leaders for the announcement.
MORE will undertake its mission with four working groups:
1) Municipal Tax Authority
2) Board of Education Functions
3) Regional Entities
4) Mandates
Laws resulting from the work of the 2010 MORE Commission include:
PA10-167: Established regional incentive grants for local boards of education that save money on school transportation through inter-town agreements.
PA10-171: Relinquishes local taxpayers of the financial responsibility of removing and storing evicted tenant’s possessions by assigning that responsibility to the state.
PA10-174: Allows two or more boards of education to jointly purchase health insurance for their employees.
Recommendations for legislation are expected to be ready in time for action by during this year’s legislative session which concludes June 5.
Rep. Berger is Deputy Speaker of the House and represents the 73rd Assembly District in Waterbury. He serves on the Finance, Judiciary and Executive Nominations Committees.