Senator Toni Boucher Sworn In As New Senator Representing 26th District Senator Boucher To Serve As Assistant Minority Leader

Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) was sworn into office January 7th, opening day of the 2009 Legislative Session, as the new State Senator representing the communities of Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport and Wilton. She was joined by family and friends who traveled with her to Hartford to witness the ceremony. Senator Toni Boucher

“I am excited and eager to get to work on the many issues that are important to Connecticut and our district, including resolving our fiscal problems, passing a responsible state budget that holds the line on taxes, and continuing my efforts to modernize commuter rail lines by keeping public policy focused on parking, train station enhancements and more frequent, faster, rail service,” said Senator Boucher, who represented the 143rd District in the House of Representatives for the past 12 years.

“I am grateful for the recognition accorded to my years of service in the House, which has earned me a leadership position in the Senate as Assistant Minority Leader. And, I look forward to promoting the ideas and positions of our caucus. At the same time, I fully understand that nothing worthwhile happens in the General Assembly without cooperation and, as I did in the House of Representatives, I plan to work with my legislative colleagues in a bipartisan manner for the greater good of our state,” she added.

In addition to assuming her caucus leadership position, Senator Boucher will now serve as the Senate’s ranking, or leading, member of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee and of its Select Committee on Children. She will also serve as a member of the General Assembly’s Elementary and Secondary Education Committee and of its Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee. As a state representative, Senator Boucher served on the Transportation, Appropriations, Education and Higher Education committees.

“Each of the legislative committees to which I have been assigned performs the work necessary to pass good, responsible, legislation that addresses some of the issues that are most important to the people of Connecticut. As I did as a state representative, I encourage constituents to contact me with their concerns and ideas. I can be reached at my legislative office in Hartford at 1-800-842-1421, or by e-mail to [email protected],” said Senator Boucher.

Senate Minority Leader John McKinney welcomed Senator Boucher to the State Senate.
“Senator Boucher is a proven business and community leader with a great deal of energy and a strong work ethic,” said Senator McKinney. “As an Assistant Minority Leader, Senator Boucher will retain her senior leadership position in the Connecticut General Assembly. Her twelve years of experience and independent leadership in the Connecticut House of Representatives will be invaluable to the State Senate as we work to strengthen our economy, address our budget crisis, and face all of the other challenges this New Year will bring.”