nothin New Haven Independent | Reed Targets Energy Rates, Taxes

Reed Targets Energy Rates, Taxes

Mary Johnson Photo

Reed standing on a commercial solar roof.

State Rep. Lonnie Reed (D‑102), who was sworn in last week to her fourth term in office, wants the state to create innovative laws to reduce skyrocketing electricity rates. She also wants towns to work together on joint projects in order to reduce budgets and the high cost of property taxes, she said. She has other items on her to-do list as well. 

When it comes to energy policy, skyrocketing electricity rates are bad for consumers, bad for business and bad for economic development of all kinds. We are tackling some huge energy issues this session,” she said in reviewing the reasons why companies often decide not to re-locate in the state of Connecticut.

In a wide-ranging interview, Reed discussed a variety of issues that taxpayers and businesses want to resolve, especially those who seek to re-locate to the state.

Reed has been renamed House chair of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee for the 2015 legislative session by Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey. Sharkey said, “Lonnie will play a key role in moving our legislative agenda forward this session.”

“As a leader within our caucus, Rep. Reed has the experience and ability to help improve the quality of life for everyone in Connecticut, while at the same time representing the interests of the families of Branford,” Speaker Sharkey said.

“I am honored to be reappointed chair of the Energy Committee,” Reed said, thanking Sharkey for “this important assignment. I look forward to working with everyone on the committee in a bipartisan fashion.” 

As the leader of the energy committee, Reed wants to concentrate on how utilities work or don’t work well. The legislative session ends early in June.

Rethinking How Utilities Work

“I not only want to impose a cap on the fixed rate for electricity, I also want to revisit the whole way electric utilities build their budgets and charge ratepayers for what many consider to be some questionable line items in their operational expenses. It is time to create an electric utility company of the future that is more business and consumer friendly.” Click here to read an earlier story on how CL&P responds.

Also at issue in the aftermath of the contentious electric bill rate hikes approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Agency (PURA) is an effort by that agency to become independent of DEEP, the state’s department of environmental and energy protection. Click here to read a report published by the CT Mirror today .

Reed said she is preparing to revisit how electric utilities companies build their budgets and how they can become more business and consumer friendly.

The Energy and Technology Committee is one of the joint standing committees of the Connecticut General Assembly. It has cognizance of all matters relating to the Department of Public Utility Control and energy planning and activities.

Reed’s primary district is Branford but not all of Branford. State Rep. Sean Scanlon, her colleague from Guilford represents the Stony Creek and Pine Orchard sections. Scanlon, a Democrat, was elected to his first term in office in November.   

Partnering With Other Towns


While the legislature works on a long-term solution to the property tax issue, Reed told the Eagle there are ways to reduce property taxes, long “a major item of complaint from Connecticut residents and businesses as well as from people and businesses from other states who are exploring Connecticut opportunities.”

She said, “We need to take a holistic approach to the goal of making Connecticut as competitive and attractive as possible.”

One way to encourage municipalities to reduce property taxes is by pursuing partnerships with other towns. “That can save big money on key projects and services.”

She cited the “Y” in Branford, a project undertaken by five towns and located in Branford. The Y serves members from Branford, Guilford, North Branford, East Haven and Madison.

“We came together to do it,” she said.

There are regional animal shelters, for example, she said. Branford’s Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter serves both Branford and North Branford.

Not all 169 towns in Connecticut need replicate every single service each one delivers, she said. Combining services reduces town budgets and reducing town budgets reduces property taxes, she added. A town’s education budget, however, is the major part of most town budgets and towns have little sway over education expenses. 

New Seawall For Indian Neck

Just after the 2015 legislative session began, she said she met with Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker about a deteriorating seawall along the Limewood Avenue segment of Route 146, a state road in the Indian Neck section of Branford.

She said Redeker agreed that the seawall needed to be upgraded and gave her a DOT commitment earlier this week to fix the seawall. She said she hoped the state project would get underway this spring.

Reed recently recommended that the Town pursue a Transit Oriented District (TOD), designation to make the area around the Branford train station eligible for state funding to help drive economic and community development. See our story on Atlantic Wharf. That formal request has now been submitted.

Reed has also been re-appointed to The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, which has jurisdiction over all matters relating to finance, revenue, capital bonding, fees and taxation, and The Planning and Development Committee, which has a wide range of governmental responsibility for municipalities.

Reed has also been working closely with Branford groups such as Voices for Branford Seniors and companies such as CORE Informatics and the new Stony Creek Brewery to help solve issues before them.

She also serves on a new state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) group that is working to connect job seekers with job opportunities in the state’s growing biotech and technology sectors that include several Branford companies.

“My commitment to my district is absolute, and I am hopeful that the leadership positions I am proud to have attained in Hartford will continue to enhance my ability to do the best possible job for Branford.” 

She also announced she will be holding a conversation with constituents on Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Blackstone Memorial Library. She said she wants to hear their concerns and their recommendations for legislation this session. 

File Photo

Scanlon, who represents the 98th District, a seat held by former State Rep. Pat Widlitz for two decades, will serve on the public health, transportation and energy, and technology committees. Here they are pictured together.

Scanlon has also announced he will be holding frequent Coffee and Conversation” office hours to learn what matters to my constituents.”
His Branford meeting will take place at the Willoughby Wallace Library, 146 Thimble Islands Road, on Thursday, Jan. 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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