HARTFORD—House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) on Monday released the following statement in response to Gov. Lamont’s announcement that he will reappoint Marissa Gillett as chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority:

"The Governor’s decision to reappoint Marissa Gillett as PURA Chair is as baffling as it is predictable. She misled legislators and the public—and even deleted records subject to Freedom of Information laws. That alone should prompt bipartisan outrage and a hearing before the very legislators who confirmed her nomination. Today’s news confirms what many Republicans have said all along: the Governor is willfully ignoring a crisis, hoping it will fade away. But it won't. Connecticut now holds the dubious distinction of having the worst regulatory environment in the country, with unaffordable electric bills and toxic relations between PURA and utility companies. Credit agencies have sounded the alarm repeatedly. The system is on fire, and the Governor is doubling down on the person who lit the match."