Following Dems Inaction, Republicans Push for Port Authority Hearing

Today Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) wrote to Transportation Committee Republican ranking members to request that they hold an informational hearing to continue investigating public allegations of untoward behavior at the Connecticut Port Authority. His request comes after Democrat co-chairs of the Transportation Committee failed to respond to multiple requests for the committee to hold a second public hearing, including a request sent by Sen. Fasano last week. Sen. Fasano is requesting that lawmakers hear from a “whistleblower” who has shared information with the press as well as former board members and leaders who did not testify at an initial public hearing that took place earlier this year.

“The initial public hearing on the Port Authority that took place on August 20, 2019 was a first step but was really only a preliminary discussion,” Fasano wrote to Republican ranking members. “I am disappointed that the co-chairs of the Transportation Committee have refused to respond to the requests made by myself and rank-and-file lawmakers of their own party, but that does not mean we have to halt our efforts to obtain more information,” Fasano wrote.

“While Republican ranking members do not have the authority to convene a public hearing, you do have the authority to call a public informational hearing which will allow us to invite and discuss these serious issues and allegations with staff and board members.

“Lawmakers need to fully understand what has happened at the Port Authority and ensure we have all the information needed to identify next steps to restore public trust and move forward with important projects.”