Welch, Betts To Hold Bristol Town Meeting Monday

State Senator Jason Welch and State Representative Whit Betts will hold a Town Hall Meeting at Bristol’s Edgewood School on Monday, March 21 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. The school is located at 345 Mix Street.

“I look forward to seeing area residents on Monday, listening to their concerns and answering their questions,” Welch said. “The governor’s proposed budget eliminates the $500 property tax exemption that Bristol residents rely on year after year. His proposal increases income taxes, business taxes, gas taxes, and even taxes on haircuts and coupons. Its elimination of the state’s Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment tax exemption program will result in Bristol taking a $2 million hit which could result in local tax hikes and hurt our ongoing efforts to retain and grow manufacturing jobs. The plan also calls for nearly $1 billion in additional spending when most families and businesses across our state are tightening their belts. Everyone deserves to have their voice heard on these issues.”

“The Governor’s budget relies heavily on tax increases and increased revenues to close the deficit,” said Betts. “Things like the gas tax increase, the elimination of the property tax credit and the elimination of the MME tax exemption are going to hit the people in my district very hard. I would have liked to see the Governor make a better effort to cut spending in government, in fact, spending actually increases by $900 million in his proposal. I don’t think we should look at tax increases until we have done everything we can to make government more affordable. But, that’s why we are having this Town Hall Meeting. I want to hear from my constituents. I am interested to hear their thoughts, ideas and concerns.”

Welch held a Town Hall Meeting in Plainville earlier this month which drew approximately 50 residents.