Rigby Holds Forum at The Gilbert School on State Budget Woes

WINSTED — Two dozen people showed up tonight for a forum organized by Rep. John Rigby, who answered questions regarding the state’s unprecedented fiscal crunch and how the legislature will solve the problem. Rigby was assisted by Rep. Craig Miner, another House Republican legislator from Litchfield County. During the two-hour session at The Gilbert School the two representatives — they both hold positions on key financial committees — provided details of the three budget proposals that have made newspaper headlines recently: one from Democrats, another from Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the Republican “no tax increase” plan. Colebrook resident Rigby and Miner, of Litchfield, answered questions as they came up during the free-flowing session. They tackled subjects such as healthcare co-payments for state employees, prevailing wage regulations and the state’s bond rating. Appreciative residents thanked Miner and Rigby after the event.