Category Archives: Politics

Statement From Old Lyme DTC Shows Support for Master Plan in Old Lyme

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Editor’s Note: We received the following statement from the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee, which we are publishing in full for the benefit of our readers. 

OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee applauds the work of the Halls Road Improvements Committee and the Economic Development Commission in their efforts to develop a viable plan for our town center, Halls Road.

Once adopted, a master plan will encourage development that enhances our community and maintains the character of our small town, and it will deter unwanted businesses that do not, such as additional gas stations and convenience stores.

We urge all members of the community to embrace the work of both organizations, offer their input, and support the development of a master plan for Halls Road. We believe this will protect our quality of life, strengthen any application for available funding by demonstrating fiscal responsibility, and be in the best interests of the future of Old Lyme.

We urge the Republican Town Committee to join us in this position.

State Senators Needleman, Formica Discuss Energy, Technology Priorities on Lee Elci Show, Now Available on Demand

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Senators Norm Needleman, left, and Paul Formica from a 2019 television appearance. File photo submitted by Sen. Needleman’s office.

LYME/OLD LYME — This past Monday, Jan. 25, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and State Senator Paul Formica (R-East Lyme) joined Lee Elci’s talk show on Radio 94.9 News Now for an extended, detailed discussion of the Energy & Technology Committee’s 2021 priorities and focuses. The Senators came together in a bipartisan fashion to discuss pressing issues driving their decisions and thoughts as the 2021 legislative session begins in earnest.

“Thank you to Lee Elci for opening up an hour of his show to discuss energy issues in Connecticut with Senator Needleman and me,” said Sen. Formica. “The important and challenging work of the state’s Energy & Technology Committee continues to attempt to balance generation and supply in a bipartisan way to benefit the citizens and ratepayers of Connecticut. It was great to share part of that process with the listeners of the Lee Elci show. I look forward to further, in depth conversations on energy.”

“I’m glad I was able to join Senator Formica and Lee to discuss this session’s many focuses,” said Sen. Needleman. “From the cost of energy to pursuing renewable sources of generation to looking into company and corporate practices, the Energy & Technology Committee is dedicated to tackling a number of vital and important issues in the coming months. I think Monday’s conversation helped us ensure we’re focused on what matters most – what’s best for the people of Connecticut.”

Monday’s discussion on the Lee Elci Show is available on-demand in recorded format on Elci’s SoundCloud page, located here. On the January 25, 2021 broadcast, available here, the discussion between the Senators and Elci begins at around roughly the 2-hour 58-minute mark.

Editor’s Note: The 20th Senatorial District, which State Sen. Formica represents, includes Old Lyme. The 33rd Senatorial District, which State Sen. Needleman represents, includes Lyme.

Rep. Devin Carney Named Ranking Member of Legislature’s Transportation Committee

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State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) File photo.

HARTFORD – State Representative Devin Carney (R-23rd), who was reelected in November to the position he has held since 2015, has received his committee assignments for the 2021 legislative session.

These include being named as the Ranking Member of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee by House Republican Leader-elect Vincent Candelora.

“Whether it’s highway congestion in Fairfield County or a failing bridge in the state’s Quiet Corner, transportation-related issues have and will continue to be a major point of conversation at the capitol,” Candelora said. “Devin understands both the importance of improving our transportation grid and the budgetary challenges that stand in the way.”

Candelora continued, “His ability to see all sides of an issue and understand a proposal’s impact on the people we’re elected to serve make him a perfect fit for this role, and I look forward to working with him as he helps lead discussion on this committee whose work affects so many aspects of life in Connecticut.”

Having been a member of the committee for the past six years, the familiarity of responsibilities that come with this appointment is one Rep. Carney knows well, having served in the same capacity from 2017 to 2018 under former Minority Leader Themis Klarides.

“It’s an honor to have been chosen to serve as the Ranking Member of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee,” Rep. Carney said, continuing, “Serving in this capacity will not only allow me to be a strong voice for our region, but also address issues ranging from the safety of I-95 to wait times at the DMV. I look forward to working with the committee members on these types of issues again next year.”

The Transportation Committee has oversight on all matters relating to the Department of Transportation, including highways and bridges, navigation, aeronautics, mass transit and railroads; and to the State Traffic Commission and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

He will also return as a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee and the Ranking Member of the Transportation Bonding Subcommittee and will begin his first term on the Education Committee. Rep. Carney was also named an Assistant House Republican Leader and chosen, again, to serve on the House Republican Screening Committee.

Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee focuses on issues relating to finance, revenue, capital bonding, fees and taxation. The committee also oversees employer contributions for unemployment compensation and all matters relating to the Department of Revenue Services and the revenue aspects of the Division of Special Revenue.

The Education Committee has cognizance of all matters relating to the Department of Education; local and regional boards of education and the substantive law of collective bargaining covering teachers and professional employees of such boards; vocational rehabilitation; the Commission on the Arts; and libraries, museums and historical and cultural associations.

The House Republican Screening Committee is a select committee that reviews all bill proposals before they reach the floor of the House for a final vote.

Editor’s Notes: i) The 23rd House District includes Lyme, Old Lyme Old Saybrook and part of Westbrook.
ii) This article is based on a press release issued by the House Republican Office of the Connecticut General Assembly.

Election 2020: State Results & Interactive Visuals

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STATEWIDE — Our Local Independent Online News (LION) colleagues at CTNewsJunkie.com have prepared a couple of interactive maps of the State Senate and House results for readers to explore. Use the toolbox to group and sort Senate/House districts by political party and demographic characteristics.

Here is the State Senate map.

Here is the CT House of Representatives map.

Related articles at CTNewsJunkie.com can be found at:

Dems Post Gains In Legislative Seats While Some Key Republicans Hang On
By CTNewsJunkie Published Nov. 4, 2020 12:48am

Senate Democrats Strengthen Majority
By Hugh McQuaid Published Nov 4, 2020 1:47pm

Sen. Paul Formica Named Senate Republican Deputy Leader, Kevin Kelly Named Leader

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State Senator Paul Formica (R-20th)

HARTFORD – State Senator Kevin Kelly (R-21st) has been named the next Senate Republican Leader by the Connecticut Senate Republican Caucus. Sen. Kelly has named State Senator Paul Formica (R-20th) to serve as his deputy, taking the title of Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore.

Sen. Kelly was chosen by his fellow caucus members to serve as the next caucus leader following the retirement of Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) who has served as leader since 2014.

Kelly said of Senator Formica that he, “…  is one of the hardest working and most caring lawmakers I have ever met.”

He added, “Paul is a consensus builder and a budget expert, who was instrumental in crafting the historic bipartisan budget of 2017 that implemented smart financial policies Republicans have long advocated for including a spending cap, bonding caps and a volatility cap.”

Kelly continued, “Those successes are the reason why our state has a record-breaking rainy day fund today and has enable our state to start contributing more to paying down on our state’s unfunded pension liabilities. Paul Formica’s expertise on the budget, experience as a small business owner and job creator, as well as his ability to bring people together will make him an exceptional partner in leading our caucus during these difficult times.”

“I am deeply honored to have been selected to help lead our caucus as deputy leader,” said Sen. Formica. “Connecticut is the greatest state in the greatest nation in the world. But there is so more that must be done to help all people in our state achieve the American Dream. I look forward to helping lead our caucus and our state through these challenging times, with a focus on keeping people safe, healthy and creating opportunities for all people.”

Senator Formica represents the residents of the 20th Senatorial District, which includes Old Lyme, as well as Bozrah, East Lyme, a portion of Montville, New London, , a portion of Old Saybrook, Salem, and Waterford. He was first elected in 2015 and prior to that served as the First Selectman of East Lyme from 2007-2015.

He has also been the owner and operator of Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant for over 35 years.

Senator Formica currently serves as Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee and the Energy and Technology Committee. He is a founder of the bipartisan Tourism Caucus and co-chairs the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Legislative Caucus. A resident of East Lyme, he is the father of four adult children — three daughters and one son.

Sen. Kelly said, “I am incredibly honored to be named the next leader of the Senate Republican Caucus,” said  “Our caucus is made up of hard-working individuals who love our state and are ready to fight for it.”

He continued, “We must lead our state through the unprecedented challenges of pandemic recovery by simultaneously focusing on job growth and protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19: our elderly population and minority communities.”

Sen. Kelly is currently the Ranking Member of the Aging Committee, the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, and the Committee on Children. He also serves as a member of the Regulation Review Committee.

Kelly has been an advocate for health care affordability and accessibility, supporting the needs of senior citizens, growing jobs, improving women’s health care, and advancing “Aging in Place” initiatives.

Sen. Kelly has served in the State Senate since 2011 representing Monroe, Seymour, Shelton and Stratford. He resides in Stratford with his wife Cindy. Their family includes four children and soon to be seven grandchildren.

For more information on State Senator Paul Formica visit www.senatorformica.com. Follow Sen. Formica at www.Facebook.com/SenatorFormica, on Twitter and Instagram @SenatorFormica.

For more information on State Senator Kevin Kelly visit www.senatorkevinkelly.com. Follow Sen. Kelly at www.Facebook.com/SenatorKevinKelly, on Twitter @21KevinKelly or Instagram @SenatorKevinCKelly.