Representative Victor Cuevas (D-Waterbury) was appointed to 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).
“I appreciate Rep. Cuevas’ desire to serve on this important commission and I know he is ready to hit the ground running,” Speaker Sharkey said. “As a state legislator who also has experience at the municipal level, his input will be particularly invaluable to this subcommittee.”
“Disparities in municipal taxation rank among the most important issues faced by cities across Connecticut,” Rep. Cuevas said. “I look forward to working with colleagues on the Commission to explore regional approaches that benefit all taxpayers.”
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.