CRUMBLING FOUNDATION CAUCUS APPOINTS CO-CHAIRS

Members of the legislature’s bipartisan Crumbling Foundations Caucus met late Monday morning at the state capitol to appoint its leaders for the 2020 session, which begins Wednesday, February 5.

The caucus has taken a different approach to appointing its leaders, appointing one chair from each political caucus for a total of four chair members.

The Democratic co-chairs include Senator Saud Anwar and State Representative Pat Wilson Pheanious, D – Ashford, Tolland, Willington. The Republican co-chairs are Senator Dan Champagne and State Representative Tom Delnicki, R – South Windsor.

State Representative Geoff Luxenberg, D – Manchester, founder and chair of the caucus, announced he would step down from the role of chair but will remain as a caucus member.

“I look forward to working alongside Representative Delnicki, Senator Champagne, and Senator Anwar in this new leadership role,” said Rep. Wilson Pheanious. “This will allow us to continue to address the issues that property owners with crumbling foundations are facing from a variety of perspectives in a bipartisan manner. I am excited to work with caucus members and continue developing partnerships with the various private and public agencies that are necessary for providing affected homeowners with real relief.”

“I look forward to working with the new co-chairs as we continue to help people put their lives and their homes back together,” said Rep. Delnicki.

“I am happy to be a co-chair on the crumbling foundations caucus as we work on a bipartisan basis to help those affected,” said Senator Champagne.

“We have been fortunate as a state to help many of the victims of the crumbling foundations disaster. However, a lot more needs to be done. I look forward to working with my colleagues to help our neighbors and neighboring communities,” said Senator Anwar.

The caucus also discussed several priorities, which include extending the sunset date of the crumbling foundations captive insurer, Connecticut Foundations Solutions Indemnity Company (CFSIC), so it can continue to help finance foundation repairs and replacements. The caucus will continue to work with Congressmen Joe Courtney’s office, state and federal agencies, and relevant private entities in the banking and insurance industries to develop additional funding sources. Caucus members will also review the status and expected disbursement dates of the Healthy Homes Fund.

The bipartisan caucus was founded in 2019 as a way for legislators to help homeowners impacted by crumbling concrete foundations due to the presence of pyrrhotite and works collaboratively with CFSIC.