Stamford resident's idea inspired legislation

Legislation (HB6270), introduced by State Representative Gerald Fox III (D-Stamford) requiring the Connecticut Lottery to deduct delinquent taxes and penalties before distributing a lottery prize of $5,000 or more to a winner, was ceremoniously signed into law Friday by Governor Dannel Malloy at the State Capitol.

The new law applies to winning lottery tickets redeemed on or after January 1, 2012. There is currently about $400 million in state tax delinquencies eligible for collection and Fox said the legislation will serve as an avenue to garner revenue that is past due.

"It makes sense that someone who owes back taxes to the state should pay those taxes if they are lucky enough to win a lottery," said Fox, who serves as House Chair of the Judiciary Committee. "This will not only raise needed revenue for the state, but will help create greater confidence and fairness in our tax system."

Current state statute already requires the Connecticut Lottery Corp. to check winning tickets valued at $5,000 or more against a list of individuals delinquent on child support payments. The lottery child support collection program, begun in 2004, has brought in about $1.5 million in delinquent payments.

Fox said Stamford resident Anthony Martino suggested the idea and testified at a public hearing on the bill before the legislature's Public Safety Committee.

"Winners are checked against a database of obligors owing child support, so I suggested the state could apply the same process to those owing delinquent taxes," Martino testified in February. "The concept could be further extended to casino winnings."

(Click to display full-size in gallery)Stamford resident Anthony Martino (left) joins State Rep. Gerald Fox III and Governor Malloy at the State Capitol as legislation suggested by Martino to Fox that will deduct back taxes from Connecticut lottery winners was signed into law by the governor.

I hope they never do that with back alimony.

Not that I'd care.

That's what a friend of mine says.

Apparently, the five posters previous to me believe that people with tax delinquencies should get a free ride. That's fine with me as long as these five people and all who agree with them are willing to accept higher taxes for themselves to make up for those who don't pay.

Apparently, the five posters previous to me believe that people with tax delinquencies should get a free ride. That's fine with me as long as these five people and all who agree with them are willing to accept higher taxes for themselves to make up for those who don't pay.

Apparently, the five posters previous to me believe that people with tax delinquencies should get a free ride. That's fine with me as long as these five people and all who agree with them are willing to accept higher taxes for themselves to make up for those who don't pay.

Were you the classroom stool pigeon in school, Nancy?

Did the normal kids lock you in your locker all the time?

All you ever do is piss and moan, whine and complain.

We all know you're a liberal but must you act like one every minute of the day?

Pretend you're not the geek-weasel you are once in a while and just mind your own business.

I think you might find it to be a liberating experience to hear of someone doing something you think might be wrong and not having to run to some authority to rat them out.

Try it once, for the first time in your life.

I thought this was something that was done by all States already....

Apparently, the five posters previous to me believe that people with tax delinquencies should get a free ride. That's fine with me as long as these five people and all who agree with them are willing to accept higher taxes for themselves to make up for those who don't pay.