Senator McLachlan Receives New Title, Committee Leadership Roles

State Senator Michael McLachlan (R-24) was recently sworn in for his fifth term at the Connecticut General Assembly and given the title of Deputy Senate Republican Majority Leader.

“We are entering all new territory at the capitol,” Sen. McLachlan said. “With the agreement between Republicans and Democrats to cooperatively manage the State Senate, we have achieved the same leadership capabilities and responsibilities as out counterparts. Senate Republicans are no longer the minority party.”

Sen. McLachlan now will serve as the Co-Chairman of the legislature’s Government Administrations and Elections Committee and as Vice-Chairman on the Judiciary Committee and on the Labor and Public Employees Committee.

Holding leadership positions in the legislative committees and in the State Senate means Republicans have the ability to set agendas in both venues like their Democrat counterparts.

“The actions we take this legislative session will be crucial to righting Connecticut’s economy,” Sen. McLachlan said. “We must exercise spending restraint, enact pro-growth policies and lower tax burdens. Establishing long-term sustainability in our budgeting process will require structural changes that reduce the size and scope of state government. I am fully committed to using our new majority status to further these goals and make Connecticut a better place for everyone to live and work.”

As Co-Chairman of the Government Administrations and Elections Committee, Sen. McLachlan will deal with bills and matters related to the state’s Department of Administrative Service, which oversees state purchasing. Some of the responsibilities of the committee also include oversight of the state Department of Public works and all matters relating to state government organization and reorganization, leasing, construction, maintenance, purchase and sale of state property and facilities and any proposed constitutional amendments.

On the Judiciary Committee, Sen. McLachlan will vote on bills relating to the Judicial Department, the Department of Correction and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. The committee also deals with all nominations of members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

On the Labor and Public Employees Committee, Sen. McLachlan will deal with bills about workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, conditions of employment, hours of labor, minimum wages, industrial safety, occupational health and safety, labor unions and labor disputes, as well as all matters relating to the Department of Labor.

Also a member of the Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee, Sen. McLachlan serves as Co-Chairman of that committee’s General Bonding Subcommittee. Other committee assignments include being a member of the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee and the Joint Committee on Legislative Management.

Sen. McLachlan said, “I look forward to using my position and experience on these committees to bringing about the changes that Connecticut residents and businesses need to flourish.”

Sen. McLachlan represents the communities of Danbury, Bethel, New Fairfield, and Sherman.