Letter to Gov. Lamont on Regional Reopening Plans: “We need more than one-size-fits-all”

April 13, 2020

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) wrote to Governor Ned Lamont today in regard to Governor Lamont’s meeting with the governors of New York and New Jersey. Text of the letter below:

 

April 13, 2020

Dear Governor Lamont:

I understand that you have plans to meet today with the governors of New York and New Jersey to start a discussion on a regional plan to reopen businesses, schools, and get people back to work. While I am glad that you are both talking about getting people back to work and seeking input and ideas from various sources, I hope that you will talk to Connecticut legislative leaders before making any decisions or promises and I would ask that you keep the following in mind as you begin these discussions:

  1. Connecticut is not New York City. While one strategy may be necessary in New York, and perhaps Fairfield County, an identical strategy may not always be appropriate for every county in Connecticut.
  2. Different parts of Connecticut are experiencing the effects of COVID-19 in very different ways. For example, based on yesterday’s numbers alone, Fairfield County has 688 hospitalizations due to COVID-19 while Windham County has 4 hospitalizations. We cannot always treat both counties in an identical manner because their experiences are greatly different. Please consider a regional approach local to Connecticut as you discuss reopening businesses.
  3. Before committing Connecticut to any statewide agreement with or making promises to the governors of New York and New Jersey, I expect that you will consult with Connecticut legislative leaders and lawmakers so that we can contribute to any plan, provide feedback, and work together to ensure the voices of all people in our state are heard during this process. While conversations with neighboring governors are important, it is equally important to have similar robust conversations with Connecticut lawmakers. It also important to make sure there is communication with the governors of states that border our eastern and northern counties.
  4. Please do not commit our state to follow the actions of other states with no room for modification or flexibility. Every state needs to be able to respond to COVID-19 in a manner that properly addresses the spread locally and is in the best interest of state residents. While a multi-state approach is appropriate for some measures, we also need flexibility and should not be limited in what actions we can take based on decisions made by other governors.

I am glad to see you taking a step toward discussing how to relax regulations and reopen businesses in our state when safe to do so. More than anything, we need a plan that is tailored to Connecticut and that reflects input from Connecticut residents and regions across the state. We need much more than a one-size-fits-all approach.

 

Sincerely,

Len Fasano

Senate Republican Leader