Kelly, Formica Statement on Lamont’s Extension of Executive Powers to September 30, 2021

HARTFORD – Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) and Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore Paul Formica (R-East Lyme) today called on lawmakers to reject Governor Ned Lamont’s request to extend his emergency powers until September 30, 2021.

This is the fifth time the Governor is extending his emergency executive powers tied to the pandemic, having previously extended them in September of 2020, in January of 2021, in March of 2021, and in May of 2021. Following the passage of a bill earlier this year, the full legislature is now required to vote on the Governor’s extension of the COVID-19 emergency declarations.

“The Governor’s request is a blatant overreach of power,” Sen. Kelly and Sen. Formica said. “The legislature was elected to be the voice of their constituents – the people. Every issue the Governor raised as a reason for executive powers can be addressed by the legislature in a timely fashion. We also have federal funding pouring in regardless of an emergency declaration, including hundreds of millions of dollars that still haven’t even been allocated.

“We are well on our way to recovery. We have high vaccination rates. If we were still in a true state of emergency, would the Governor be going on vacation? Would he be telling people to go back to living their lives, visit museums, and attend events? It is past the time to restore the people’s voice in government represented by their legislators. First, to ensure the people’s voices are being heard. Our government is not wired for one-person rule. Second, we need stability in our recovery policies. A patchwork strategy of extending executive orders that may or may not be in place the next month is no way to run government.

“The best way to keep people safe and to move forward is to restore democracy, not extend one-person rule.”