Buckbee Appointed as Lead House Republican on Legislature’s Commerce Committee, and Member of Veterans’ Affairs, Human Services Committees

Hartford – State Representative Bill Buckbee (R-New Milford) has been tapped by House Republican Leader-elect Vincent Candelora to serve as the Ranking Member on the Commerce Committee. Buckbee has been a member of this committee for four years and is well prepared to take on the responsibilities of committee leadership, which includes screening legislation before going to the House Floor.

In addition to his new ranking member role, Buckbee will add two new committee assignments, the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Human Services Committee. He will retain his role within the legislature’s Energy & Technology Committee. Traditionally, legislators are assigned to just 3 committees. Buckbee’s demonstrated record of finding bipartisan consensus on common sense public policy has made him the lone house republican to be assigned to 4 large-scale committees — a challenge that Buckbee says he’s ready to meet.

“I am eager to begin my new leadership role within the Commerce Committee. As a small business owner, I am aware of the challenges our state’s businesses have been facing, and the new issues presented by the pandemic. I look forward to working on innovative policies that will lead to greater job creation and a more robust economy,” said Buckbee. “Serving on four separate legislative committees will allow me to engage in a wide array of issues, from connecting our state’s veterans with life-sustaining benefits, to continuing the engagement on electricity rates and associated storm response. All of which greatly impact the residents of New Milford.”

Ranking Member on Commerce Committee

In Hartford, Buckbee has leaned strongly on his acute business-sense to drive sound public policy. He has a record of supporting initiatives that lead to job creation, such as increasing manufacturing apprenticeship opportunities. In light of the pandemic, Buckbee is committed to helping the state’s business owners reverse the trend of a declining fiscal climate.

“For years, Republican lawmakers have said a critical component to turning around our state’s economy is to improve Connecticut’s reputation as a place where it’s difficult to run a business,” Candelora said. “Billy Buckbee has carried that banner with gusto, displaying his passion for growing the small businesses that make the main streets in each Connecticut community so unique. The pandemic will make that work tougher, but Representative Buckbee is up for the now-dual challenge of helping businesses recover while providing a tax and regulatory environment where they can thrive.”

Energy Committee, and New Assignments

Buckbee has continued to engage in the conversation about energy use, electricity charges, and the ability for utilities to clean-up after various storms. As a member of the Energy & Technology Committee, Buckbee will continue to directly interface with the Commissioner of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and leaders at Eversource to advocate on behalf of the needs of residents and businesses.

Looking to his new committee assignments, Buckbee explained that he has the utmost respect for all women and men who served within our armed forces. He has supported initiatives that have increased employment opportunities for the state’s veterans. The Veterans’ Affairs committee has cognizance over matters relating to veterans and associated state services.

The Human Services committee is focused on providing residents with equal access to health services. As a member of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) caucus, Buckbee has supported policy that strengthens the state’s safety net and increases the ability to access quality healthcare services.

While the legislature is not slated to begin its official business until January 6, 2021, Rep. Buckbee is encouraging residents of New Milford to reach out to him with any questions or concerns prior to the convening of the new session. You can visit RepBuckbee.com to sign up for his e-newsletters or e-mail him directly at Bill.Buckbee@housegop.ct.gov.

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