2007 - Representative Staples is one of the two co-chairs of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee - a very important position with primary responsibility for crafting the state tax package and an important role in negotiations about bonding.  
____________________________________________________________________________
From the transcript of the Connecticut Senate - June 25, 2007 - debate on the budget:

"SEN. LOONEY:

Yes, thank you, Mr. President. I'm rising to speak in support of the bill. Would like to join my commendations* to those of others in talking about the extraordinary hard work and visionary work of Senator Harp and Representative Merrill and Senator Daily and Representative Staples in this process."

*Note from Barbara Richards:  The official transcript has the word "accommodations" but  on the CT-N video it sounds like "commendations".
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
From the transcript of the House of Representative session of May 30, 2007 - debate on tax bill:

"REP. STAPLES: (96th)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to complete my comments on it, the heart of the Amendment before us, as I stated, makes substantial changes to our income tax system to make it more fair, progressive and equitable, increases property tax relief substantially to a number of our constituents, establishes an earned income tax credit for the first time in Connecticut which will provide substantial relief, and reduces by reducing the lower rate of the income tax providing $ 145 million of reduction in income tax burden for people who are paying taxes between the $ 20,000 and $ 100,000 income tax level.

In total, Mr. Speaker, the Bill before us reduces taxes to the tune of about $ 545 million, primarily through property tax relief, but also through income tax relief.

In addition, by raising the upper rates, the income tax rates, the bill before also provides the additional revenue necessary to fund the appropriations budget and the increases in education, healthcare and the other important initiatives that are adopted pursuant to the Appropriations Committee package.

Finally, by making an equitable change to the estate tax, Mr. Speaker, the Amendment before us removes what many concerned Members of this Legislature thought was an unfair and inequitable impact on small estates and by doing so actually reduces the estate tax on all estates that are under $ 6 million in value.

Overall, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this Amendment as before us. I think it makes some very important progressive changes to our tax system and I think provides essential property tax relief to the citizens of Connecticut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

. . .  

REP. STAPLES: (96th)

. . . The most substantial item in the tax package for individuals that may not owe income tax is the earned income tax credit.

That is for low-income individuals, and it is a substantial credit for individuals making up to $ 16,000 a year. They might qualify for credit over $ 900 which for someone at that income level is a very substantial benefit.

That is the most substantial piece of the tax package. I would also mention though there are exemptions from the sales tax for weatherization products and other types of items that they would be beneficiaries of if they were to purchase them.

Although the spending plan is not before us today, I think it is relevant to point out that some of the increases that are in this tax package are intended to provide additional aid to cities and towns that would enable them to moderate their property taxes.

And that would also impact people who don't pay income tax if the municipalities, by the increase in municipal aid, were able to reduce or eliminate the increases on their property taxes. Through you, Mr. Speaker."