Sen. Somers statement on passage of $30 M more for State Pier project

For Immediate Release

Sen. Somers Commends Republican Lawmakers for Standing Up for Taxpayers on $30 M Additional Bond Allotment for State Pier

…But Funding Passes Despite GOP Opposition

Sen. Heather Somers today commended two lawmakers who serve on the State Bond Commission for raising tough questions about and voting “no” on an additional $30 million allotment for the State Pier project in New London.

“Rep. Holly Cheeseman and Sen. Henri Martin noted that this project’s price tag just rises and rises and rises, and that state taxpayers keep getting tapped to foot the skyrocketing bills.  This is money that could instead be put toward our non-profit human services organizations, mental health and addiction programs, our schools, housing, and funding to help towns lower property taxes.  Rep. Cheeseman and Sen. Martin were absolutely correct to stand up for taxpayers, but unfortunately the bonding passed anyway. The people of Connecticut will therefore continue to dig deeper into their wallets to fund this project, and that is very disappointing. ‘Thirty million more, please.’ ”