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Politics & Government

State Lawmakers' Top Resolutions for the New Year

From their mouths to the General Assembly's ears.

Capitol DisPatch asked area lawmakers what resolution they’d like to the General Assembly to make as it heads into the next session starting Feb. 5.

  • “That we operate in an efficient and timely manner. We don’t have to sit there till 4 in the morning and not get anything done,” said State Rep. Livvy Floren, a Republican representing Greenwich and North Stamford in the 149th House District.
  • “I would like 2012 be the year we finally use RBA in all areas of the state budgeting process. The Connecticut legislature is leading the nation is our efforts to bring a Results Based Accounting system to how we create the state budget but we need to do more,” said state Rep. Kim Fawcett, a Democrat representing Fairfield and Westport in the 133rd House District. “RBA provides everyone in CT greater transparency into spending and gives budget leaders in the state real tools when deciding what to cut and where.  It also is plain common sense to ask how much are we spending on this program and how many people are better off because of this spending, so we are not spending money wastefully year in and year out, but being strategic in how we spend taxpayer dollars.”
  • “Education… we really [need to] drill down to make a difference for those kids. So more money follows the children, we need to address teacher tenure — there should be some modifications to entitlements. I don’t want to do away with them, just make some changes. Like if a teacher is not performing well, they should not be teaching,” said state Rep. Terrie Wood, a Republican representing Darien in the 141st House District.
  • “Work together — stop worrying about the opposition. I want to sit down with people from other areas (committees). I’ve made some good friends on both sides of the aisle. I want more dialogue — we are not Washington,” said state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, a Democrat representing Westport in the 136th House District.
  • “It would be to set aside partisanship that seems to emerge on almost every issue. I know that’s easy to say, but we’ve all got the same future to face,” said state Rep. John Hetherington, a Republican representing New Canaan in the 125th House District.
  • “I want a decent interval of time to discuss and debate a proposal before voting on a bill. Twenty-four hours would be fantastic, but will settle for at least 3-4. And not to be asked to vote something out of committee and be told, 'We’re working on it,'” said state Rep. Gail Lavielle, a Republican representing Norwalk and Wilton in the 143rd House District.
  • "Focus on being more proactive in reaching out to constituents through public meetings, office hours," said state Rep. William Tong, a Democrat representing New Canaan and Stamford in the 147th House District.
  • “To make permanent some of the 'shot in the arm' legislative endeavors so that CT will be known for a business friendly climate. In other words, giving ten-year tax incentives total in the hundreds of millions for the short term won't be as much of a common practice if we lower our tax rates and stop passing anti-business legislation. The recent Jobs session was a good start!” said state Rep. Fred Camillo, a Republican representing Greenwich in the 151st House District.
  • “I would like us all to resolve not to pass any bills out of committee that are not ready for the floor — no more 'works in progress,’” said state Sen. Joe Markley, a Republican representing Cheshire, Southington and Wolcott Southbury in the 16th Senate District. 
  • “With education reform coming down the pike... my wish would be that every legislator keep an open mind and help us reach the fairest funding system for the state — that addresses the achievement gap. This is going to be one of those policy making ventures where we need to see ourselves as representing the state — not just our own town's self interest — to make real progress,” said State Sen. Beth Bye, a Democrat representing Bloomfield, Burlington, Farmington and West Hartford in the 5th Senate District
  • “To continue to support small businesses, continue to put Connecticut on the right fiscal path and continue to reduce Connecticut's unemployment rate,” said James Albis, a Democrat representing East New Haven in the 99th House District.
  • “I would like to see the General Assembly and the Administration set aside  their differences for the sake of our children and focus intensely on education reform — free from the constraints of special interests. We should all resolve to dedicate ourselves in doing everything possible to seriously address the widest in the nation achievement gap and work relentlessly to have every one of our children reach their full potential,” said state Sen. Toni Boucher, a Republican representing Bethel, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport and Wilton in the 26th Senate District. “We need to send a strong message that we care about our children's intellectual, mental and physical well-being. Our youth are our best resource and represent the future of our state. Only through literacy can one truly participate in our system of government and contribute to our economy. As our great President Lincoln said, “I like to see a man/woman proud of the place in which he/she lives, I like to see a man/woman live so that his/her place will be proud of him/her.”  When we look back at 2012, I would like Connecticut to be proud of a General Assembly that had the courage to make the meaningful changes necessary to bring our educational system back up to number one in the nation.”
  • "I would like to see that the state commit to the long term goals of improving our educational system while creating a prosperous, broad based economy,” said state Rep. Chris Perone a Democrat representing Norwalk in the 1 House District.
  • “That the body could try not to get bogged down in the red tape and work toward pulling Connecticut out of the hole were stuck in. I'm hoping for some real reform to government, regulations, education, taxes and my personal hope [is] for strengthening and increasing the penalties against animal abusers. I'd also like to see a ban on dogs and cats in pet stores,” said state Rep. Brenda L. Kupchick, a Republican representing Fairfield in the 132nd House District.

About this column: Capitol DisPatch examines the issues and bills facing local representatives in the Connecticut General Assembly. Related Topics: Connecticut, General Assembly, and Holiday Guide 2011

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