Lawmakers Share Political New Year's Resolutions

This article was originally published on Dec. 26.

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.

“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.

“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.

“Education… we really 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.

“I want a decent interval of time to discuss and debate a proposal before voting on a bill. 24 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.

“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 10-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 Haven in the 99th House District.