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Darien Letter: Legislation Without Representation

DARIEN, Conn. -- The Darien Daily Voice accepts signed letters to the editor. Submit letters to darien@dailyvoice.com.

Photo Credit: File

To the editor:

While I have never considered myself a political activist, recent events in Hartford and Fairfield County have morphed me from an “engaged and informed volunteer” to an “enraged constituent” of our elected officials who are supposedly representing the interests of Fairfield County voters. 

In particular, Sen. Bob Duff. The first event that got me heated up was a “legislative update” hosted by the Darien Board of Selectmen on April 6 and attended by Sens. Duff and Carlo Leone and Rep. Terrie Wood. 

Soon after this meeting and realizing the importance and potential financial impact of SB 1 and SB 946 (the state budget), the chair of Darien’s Board of Finance, Liz Mao, invited Sen. Duff to come to our meeting on May 19 to provide more details and articulate any changes to the legislation. 

Having had no reply to our invitation, I sent an email to Sen. Duff. Below is my email and his office’s response: 

I understand that our Chair, Liz Mao, has extended an invitation to you to meet with the BOF at our regular meeting on May 19 to provide us additional background and details on SB 1, of which you are a co-sponsor. 

It would be great if you could enlighten us on the details of this legislation; from what we know now, it appears that it have only negative consequences for towns like Darien and Norwalk. If for some reason you cannot attend a meeting with concerned and highly engaged constituents in your district, perhaps you could ask Sen. Leone to stand in for you. It's at 7:30 p.m. in room 206 of the Darien Town Hall. 

We would also like to hear more about the budget bill, SB 946. From what we understand now, it includes $1.8 billion in tax increases, from raising the personal income tax rate to a variety of miscellaneous sales and use fees increases. Is this true? We'd like to learn more about it.

Respectfully, Bruce Orr 

Thank you for reaching out.  In response to similar requests, the Senate will be in session that day so as a result Sen. Duff and other members will be required to be in Hartford for votes. 

As I am sure you are aware, last week, our office offered an invitation for Darien officials to come to the Capitol during session to be briefed on important changes to Senate Bill 1. 

Sincerely, Dean, Executive Assistant, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff 

Bruce Orr

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