Area Legislators Support Bill to Boost Funding for the Horse Guards

From Connecticut House Republicans:

HARTFORD –State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106), J.P. Sredzinski (R-112), Dan Carter (R-2), and Laura Hoydick (R-120) applauded the unanimous passage by both chambers of the General Assembly of legislation that aims to make the Governor’s Horse Guards more financially self-sufficient.

House Bill 5358 will allow the state’s two Horse Guards units, one housed in Newtown and the other in Avon, to operate in a way that creates a sustainable business model that will preserve their important relationship with the Military Department and also give them the ability to partner with local equestrian non-profits to create lease arrangements for some of their unused, otherwise empty stall and arena space. The lease revenues will be directed into the Governor’s Horse Guards' account in the Military Department's budget and used to compliment the Guards' small state operating budget, which has been declining annually. The eventual goal is to have the Horse Guard units reach self-sufficiency and no longer require taxpayer dollars for ongoing operations.

According to the legislature’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis, between the Horse Guard's two facilities, there are currently 56 stalls that could be leased. At the market rate of $350 a month, this could result in a revenue gain of $235,000 for the guards, a large surplus versus a present day budget of $90,000.

“We have worked hard on this concept for a couple of years,” said Rep. Bolinsky. “The Second Company Governor's Horse Guard's now-retired Major Gordon Johnson, a Newtown resident, first pitched this idea, and it just made good sense. After doing further research, the proposal was given to Adjutant General Thaddeus Martin, who also saw the merit of this unique public-private arrangement and encouraged the General Assembly to create enabling legislation to make this happen. It seems like every year we are fighting to keep the Horse Guards funded through the state but this new proposal will enable these historic units to again make history by becoming self-sustaining entities. This measure will allow them to continue their long tradition of service to the state and will help insulate them from further budget cuts down the road. I hope to see the governor sign this bill into law soon.”

“This is a good bill that looks to a long-term solution for funding the Horse Guards,” said Rep. Sredzinski. “Connecticut’s military department is proposing to do what we should be doing at all levels of government – coming up with new, fiscally responsible ways to protect our key programs.”

“This bill enacts a common sense solution that helps ensure the survival of the Horse Guards,” said Rep Carter. “We must continue to find these creative solutions to take the load off of our taxpayers, while preserving our heritage.”

“This bill is an important step toward making these two historical volunteer state militia units financially viable, allowing them to generate income to support the service they provide to the state,” said Rep. Hoydick. “Founded in 1788 and 1808 respectively, these two units represent an unbroken line of service dating back to Connecticut’s earliest days as a state. We have a responsibility to ensure that their history and traditions are preserved, and this bill provides a cost-effective tool to allow each of these commands to do just that."

House Bill 5358 now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature. The regular 2016 legislative session ended on May 4th.