Congressman Jim Himes

We will face an important choice this fall. We can either continue the progress that helped save us from the brink of another great Depression or return to the failed policies that drained retirement accounts, resulted in record foreclosures, and let organizations like BP run wild with no oversight.

It is absolutely essential that voters understand this choice. To that end, my campaign will begin airing our first television ad soon.

Click here to view the ad titled “Independent.” And while you’re at it, I hope you become a fan on Facebook.

Thank you,

Jim

In many families, women are the primary breadwinners or contribute to a two-income household, and they need leaders who will make the right choices to grow the economy with high-paying jobs open to everyone.

Congressman Himes Fights for Women

Jim Himes has stood as a proud advocate for women in the nation’s Capitol, ensuring better access to quality health care coverage for women, fighting encroachment on women’s reproductive rights, advocating for improved childcare options and more flexibility in the workplace, and standing for the principle of equal pay for equal work with his support of the Lily Ledbetter Act.

As a supportive husband and proud father of two young girls, Jim will always work toward progress for all women.

Help Re-elect Congressman Himes

We need Jim to keep fighting for us! Add your voice to support and endorse Jim Himes, our strong voice for women in Washington. Sign-up today to join Women for Himes.

In a result that augurs well for November, Coach David Borglum’s team prevailed over the Wilton Republicans at the 2010 Frivolity Bowl by a resounding 23-0.

A town tradition that began in the 1960s, the Frivolity Bowl is annual softball game held between the Wilton Democrats and Republicans every July 4. With the 2010 win, the Wilton Democrats narrowly lead the almost 50-year series.

Working people in Connecticut received $2,227, on average, from tax breaks implemented by congressional Democrats like Jim Himes. Congressman Himes has continuously supported middle class tax and small business tax relief, and as a result, taxes were lower for most Connecticut families in 2009 than they have been in decades.

This past year, Congress enacted over $800 billion in tax cuts. Even conservatives agree: middle-class families are better off. Former Reagan policy advisor Bruce Bartlet highlighted the lower tax rate.

For information on how CT has benefited, check out this report.

Helping to Create New Jobs

Approximately one-third of the Recovery Act (or stimulus) came in the form of tax cuts. The Making Work Pay Tax Credit, the First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit, adjustments to the AMT and new residential energy tax credits are putting money back in the pockets of Connecticut families. Tax cuts for businesses, like a loss-carryback provision, are working to create jobs.

Over 200,000 CT-4 Residents Paid Lower Taxes

In fact, in CT-4 alone, 218,000 individuals benefitted from the Making Work Pay Tax Credit. According to the Council of Economic Advisers, these tax cuts are responsible for roughly one-half of the up to 2.8 million jobs saved or created by the Recovery Act. And as a result of this bill, tax refunds are already up nearly 10 percent, reaching a record of $3,000 per taxpayer.

Here’s more information regarding the number of Connecticut families each of this year’s tax cuts have helped.

Congresman Jim Himes

On Sunday, March 21, the House of Representatives voted to finally make that the law of the land. Jim Himes voted “yes.” Yes to insuring 32 million Americans, yes to huge tax breaks for small business, yes to $1.3 trillion in deficit reduction, yes to the end of onerous insurance company denials that have cost lives and led millions into bankruptcy and yes to reducing the cost of prescription drugs for millions of senior citizens.

What Healthcare Reform Means for CT Residents

There has been a lot of mis-information spread by opponents of this historic healthcare bill, so to set the record straight, here is what this legislation means for Wilton and our neighbors in Congressman Himes’ district:

• Improved coverage for 463,000 residents with health insurance
• Tax credits for 94,000 families and 19,700 small businesses to help them afford coverage.
• Improved Medicare services for 99,000 beneficiaries by closing the prescription drug donut hold.
• Extend coverage to 31,000 uninsured residents
• Guarantee that 9,300 residents with pre-existing conditions can get coverage
• Protect 600 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs
• Provide $50 million in new funding for 38 community health center
• Caps annaul of of pocket costs as $6,200 for individuals and $12,400 for families – and eliminates annual and lifetime limits on insurance coverage

Thank you Representative Himes!

The Metro North branch line will be undergoing significant enhancements as a result of a $52 million project. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $30 million to upgrade the line’s signaling system.

Switch Upgrades Will Allow More Frequent Trains

“Investment in the Norwalk/Danbury branch is key for the region’s economic development” said Representative Reeves, who sits on the state legislature’s Transportation Committee. “In addition, the project will create much-needed jobs during construction. The upgrades being made are the first step in easing congestion on state roads and highways and providing an easier commute for Wilton residents.”

The funding will go toward new automated switches, which will allow trains to run more frequently on the feeder line. Currently trains cannot move from one section of the track into another without receiving verbal approval from a controller in New York. The federally-funded project will modernize the 24-mile track from Danbury to Norwalk and install a centralized traffic control system (CTC) which will allow trains to run more frequently. Design work for the enhancements is being completed now, and construction will begin later this year, with completion scheduled for December 2011.

Only 1% of plastic bags are recycled

The idea of emulating Westport’s ban on plastic bags at retail checkout is gaining momentum here in Wilton.

Jonathan Cunitz, who was the mastermind behind the plastic bag ordinance adopted in Westport a year ago gave a very well received presentation at the Board of Selectman meeting on February 1^st.

A Bi-partisan Initiative

We have a responsibility to protect our waterways for our children and grandchildren.- Congressman HimesAlthough Democratic Congressman Jim Himes has written a letter in strong support of the initiative, the issue is not a partisan one. In Westport, the ordinance passed with overwhelming support of elected officials from both political parties. Likewise, here in Wilton, both the Democratic and Republican Town leaders were very receptive to the idea.

But buy-in from elected leaders is only the first step in Wilton successfully emulating our neighboring town in this important initiative. Community outreach, to both the citizens of Wilton and local merchants will be critical. Ending the flood of plastic bags that clog our waterways, kill wildlife, and last forever in huge floating islands in our oceans will require that each of us do our part.

Q & A on What the Plastic Bag Ordinance Would Mean for Wilton

As we begin considering this as a community, the DTC would like to share some questions that surfaced at our recent meeting:

1. QWhat about the cost?
   AIn Westport, many merchants sold (for a few dollars) or gave away branded reusable bags as a form of advertising, so we anticipate that costs Wiltonians would be nominal. For retailers, the proposed ordinance would prevent them from giving away plastic bags for free. As Wiltonians begin regularly using the environmentally-friendly bags, merchants would save on their purchases of plastic bags.

2. QAren’t paper bags just environmentally-bad?
   AIn many cases, that is true given the high carbon footprint of converting trees into paper bags. But what the ordinance is proposing is a move from plastic bags to reusable cloth bags.

3. QDoes bringing reusable bags into stores pose health risks?
   AA good question, but it is hard to see that there would be any greater risk of spreading germs from reusable bags than from the clothes we wear and purses and backpacks many folks regularly carry into stores.

4. QHas Westport’s ban been successful?
   AAn adoption study is underway now, but anecdotally, many reusable bags are now widely used in Westport.

What’s on your mind?

Do you have questions about this initiative or ideas on how we might implement it? Selectmen Ted Hoffstatter would love to hear from you via email or phone at (203) 451-5049.

Friends,

The President will deliver his State of the Union speech this evening. I have recorded a short message about what I hope to hear.

Please enjoy the speech tonight, and as always, I welcome your input and ideas.

Thanks,

Jim

DSCC representatives Ted Hoffstatter and Martha Aasen, with help from Sal Liccione, are hosting a free party with U.S. Representative Jim Himes and friends at the Fat Cat Pie Company.

Sunday, January 31^st
4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M
Fat Cat Pie Company
9-11 Wall Street
Norwalk, CT 06850

» Get directions

This rally is focused on keeping change alive in the new year and supporting our candidates for 2010. We hope to see you there.