House GOP Leader Candelora Votes Against Re-Appointment of Gillett as PURA Chairman

HARTFORD—House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) on Wednesday released the following statement in response to the House of Representatives vote on the re-appointment of Marissa Gillett as chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, which cleared the chamber by a 91-52 tally, with 7 Democrats joining 45 House Republicans in opposition: "From seniors on fixed incomes to small business owners on Main Street, Connecticut ratepayers are fed up with sky-high electric bills—and they’re demanding change. They deserve it. But after years of watching Marissa Gillett’s leadership at PURA, I’ve seen no sign she’s willing or able to deliver it. Her tenure has been defined by soaring rates, a lack of transparency, costly policies developed in lockstep with legislative Democrats and the Governor, and a combative approach with utility companies that’s raised red flags with credit rating agencies. More recently, PURA’s draft decision to hold back more than $200 million in ratepayer relief gives me great pause, as does the exploding price tag of a socialized rate-making scheme that will once again have many ratepayers cover a portion of other people’s bills. Connecticut ratepayers can’t afford another term of the same failed leadership. A vote to reappoint Marissa Gillett is a vote for the status quo — and that’s exactly what needs to change."