Senate Minority Leader Pro-Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement today re: forming of the Long Island Sound Caucus steering committee.
April 4, 2012“Tropical Storm Irene has emphasized the need for Connecticut to pay close attention to the needs of those who live and work on Long Island Sound. I am working right now to enhance our statutes concerning the shoreline and will push to clarify language that allows people to protect their business and home with a seawall if necessary. I want to make sure we help residents move forward in a way that protects their ownership rights as private property owners.”
Background: A 12-member, bipartisan group of Connecticut state legislators have teamed up to form the steering committee for the new Long Island Sound caucus that will address environmental, energy and economic issues impacting the Sound. The steering committee is comprised of six representatives and six senators. Caucus membership will be open to all legislators.
The legislators forming the LIS caucus steering committee are:
- State Representatives Lonnie Reed (D) (steering committee co-chair)
- State Representative Vincent Candelora (R) (steering committee co-chair)
- State Representative Patricia Widlitz (D)
- State Representative Elissa Wright (D)
- State Representative Clark Chapin (R)
- State Representative Marilyn Giuliano (R)
- State Senator Andrew Maynard (D) (steering committee co-chair)
- State Senator Edward Meyer (D)
- State Senator Len Fasano (R) (steering committee co-chair)
- State Senator Scott Frantz (R)
- State Senator John McKinney (R)
- State Senator Eileen Daily (D)
The original 12 members of the caucus represent shoreline communities; others have worked in the past with New York to defeat the Broadwater floating Liquid Natural Gas plant proposed for Long Island Sound. The Broadwater issue will serve as a model for future caucus efforts to address regional differences, solve regional problems and meet regional needs.