Posted on March 21, 2017

House Republican Leader Themis Klarides released the following statement Tuesday:

“The governor continues to push policies that have been harshly criticized by Republicans, Democrats and local leaders. Pushing costs on to towns isn’t true reform; it’s a different way of paying for the same thing. It’s the ultimate gimmick. In the end, taxpayers will still have to foot the bill.”

“Connecticut residents are tired of these shell games and cost shifts. We need to make real, structural changes that will…

Posted on March 15, 2017

HARTFORD – Following the disclosure that Alexion Pharmaceutical, which received $51 million from the state to relocate from Cheshire to New Haven, is laying off 210 workers, House Republican Leader Themis Klarides today called for a halt to the First Five deals and said the legislature’s Finance Committee members should have some oversight on such agreements.

A bill providing that oversight will be heard on Friday in the committee.

“Alexion is just another example of how the administration is doing deals to benefit companies without any real guarantees of long-term job creation and commitment from the beneficiaries of such lucrative contracts,’’ Klarides said. She also noted that Alexion for the first time ever gave the Democratic Governors Association $25,000 in 2013 after it had received the $51 million package of loans and grants from the state.…

Posted on March 8, 2017

HARTFORD – House and Seante Republican Leaders are opposed to asking towns and cities to delay their local budget processes to accommodate state budget uncertainties. House Republican Leader Themis Klarides (R-Derby) and Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) raised concerns about Governor Malloy and legislative Democrats’ letter asking towns to consider changing their local budget schedules, and urged the governor and lawmakers to instead commit to completing the state budget process with a sense of urgency.…