From: Blake Reuter ([email protected]) Sent: 2019/04/18 To: Sean Scanlon, Douglas McCrory, Devin Carney, Rick Lopes, Robert Sanchez, Russell Morin, , Christopher Davis, Larry Butler, Emil Altobello, , , , , , John Fonfara, George Logan, Marilyn Moore, Carlo Leone, Henri Martin, Joshua Elliott, David Yaccarino, Stephen Cassano, , , Livvy Floren, John Frey, , , , Jack Hennessy, Patricia Billie Miller, James Maroney, Norman Needleman, Jason Doucette, Kerry Wood, Subject: Vote NO on Municipalities Charging Nonprofits Fees

Dear [recipient's salutation and name], I strongly oppose Section 6 of H.B. 7408, which would require community nonprofits to pay a municipal service fee. This bill would take money from services for people with developmental disabilities and homeless shelters, from people struggling with substance abuse, victims of domestic violence, arts and cultural programs, and other essential services that serve community needs.

Any tax or fee on nonprofits will mean fewer people served. It will cause programs to close and erode the quality-of-life in communities across the state. Nonprofits provide high-quality, efficient services so government does not have to, and paying a tax to government takes away our ability to serve more people. Community nonprofits don’t charge municipalities a fee to serve their residents, and they shouldn’t charge nonprofits for using public infrastructure.

At a time when nonprofits are experiencing a decade of state budget cuts and an increasing demand for services, this proposal would damage the quality-of-life in our communities.

H.B. 7408 would also sabotage nonprofits’ relationship with individual, corporate and philanthropic donors who want their donations to help people, not redirected to pay taxes. We are already struggling to find and retain new donors, and H.B. 7408 will only make things worse.

Simply put, this proposal would divert critical resources away from the people we serve. I urge you to take no action on H.B. 7408 unless Section 6 is removed. Sincerely, Blake Reuter 22 Arapaho Rd, Brookfield, CT, 06804

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