Suzio On First Month in Office

On February 28, I was sworn into the Senate seat representing Middlefield, Rockfall, Middletown, Meriden and Cheshire. I joined my fellow legislators seven weeks after the Session had started so I had some catching up to do! In my very first session in the Senate on March 16, I voted on a nominee for the Connecticut Supreme Court.

Because I joined my colleagues so long after the Session began I was not allowed to introduce any legislation. The first ten days in office were particularly hectic because I had so much to learn and I had no legislative aide. Finally on March 15, my Senate aide, Laura Fanelli (860-240-0558) joined me. Laura had ten years of experience working for the House Democrats (yes, I am a Republican who knows good talent when he sees it!) and four years working for the former Lt. Governor, Mike Fedele. So she has the experience and legislative know-how to help me catch up quickly.

Some of my initial observations about life in the General Assembly are as follows:

• I have been appointed to the Appropriations and Education Committees and was made ranking member to the Select Committee on Children
• The sheer volume of legislation that has been introduced is mind-boggling. More than 3,500 bills have been introduced by my fellow legislators. It’s hard to believe that Connecticut needs so many more laws or law-changing action!
• Many of the proposed bills require more state spending even though we are in the middle of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression
• Many of the proposed bills are unfunded mandates that require our school districts or towns to spend more money even though our towns’ budgets are hard pressed
• The budget proposed by the governor would increase real year to year spending in 2011 and 2012 even though governor asserts he is cutting spending. What the governor is cutting is the proposed spending, not the actual spending from year to year. I think it is important for the State to do what we all have to do in difficult financial times – cut real spending. Only if we cut real spending can we avoid a tax increase.

During the campaign, and now in office, I continue to hear from overtaxed citizens concerned about the burden of increasing taxes. City and town officials also have expressed concerns about the impact of the governor’s budget proposal. Last week I watched more than 700 people attend the town hall meeting with the governor in Meriden. I have pledged to use all my accounting and finance skills to help Connecticut formulate a budget that will not increase taxes and will minimize the pain of budget cuts. I intend to honor that pledge as we go into the second half of the 2011 Legislative Session. Already I have met with the Senate Republican leadership and shared some of my ideas with them. I am hopeful that my suggestions will be reflected in the Republican alternative budget when it is made public. I encourage you to contact my office about your concerns and your ideas.

State Senator Len Suzio (R-Meriden) represents Meriden, Middlefield, Middletown, Cheshire and Rockfall.  Visit his new website at www.senatorsuzio.com and send comments to len.suzio@cga.ct.gov.