Boucher Named Ranking Senator on Transportation

Will also serve on Finance Committee, Education Committee and Select Committee on Children

Hartford, CT – State Senator-elect Toni Boucher (R-26) has been appointed as ranking senator on the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee. The appointment was announced Thursday by Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (R-28) who also assigned Boucher to the Education and Finance committees, and appointed her ranking member on the Select Committee on Children.

Boucher, who has 12-years of distinguished service as a member of the State House of Representatives and has been a member of the Transportation Committee for the past two years, said she is grateful to have been appointed ranking senator on the committee at a time when Connecticut is reaffirming its commitment to mass transportation solutions.

“State government’s attitude toward public transportation is finally beginning to change,” said Senator-elect Boucher. “State agencies and my colleagues in the legislature are beginning to see mass transportation not only as a solution to highway gridlock, but also as an important part of our environmental and public safety policies.”

Boucher has fought for the past 12 years to protect and improve the Danbury Branch rail line. She said, as ranking member she “will continue to work to modernize commuter rail lines by keeping public policy focused on parking, station enhancements and more frequent, faster rail service.”

Boucher, a recognized business advocate who holds an MBA from UCONN Business School, as well as series 7 and series 63 securities licenses, has also been appointed to the Finance Committee where she will be on the frontlines of efforts to balance the state’s growing budget deficit while holding the line on taxes and protecting jobs.

“As a former small business owner and someone who has worked with leading economists during my many years at a financial firm, I understand the pressures and challenges facing people in this economy and I am eager to get to work on the solutions that our going to help Connecticut businesses grow and protect jobs,” said Senator-elect Boucher.

Boucher will also serve on the Education Committee, which handles all matters pertaining to the Department of Education, including local and regional boards of education, as well as issues relating to state libraries, museums and other historical associations; and as ranking member on the Select Committee on Children.

“The State of Connecticut is fortunate to have Toni Boucher’s experience and tireless work ethic focused on the important issues of transportation, finance, children and education. These are core government functions that have to succeed even in these difficult economic times,” said Senator McKinney. “Senator-elect Boucher has earned a reputation as a devoted public servant who gets results. I’m honored to serve with her in the State Senate.”