Middlesex County Legislators Address Governor

Hartford – State Representatives Christie Carpino (R-Cromwell), Irene Haines (R-East Haddam), Noreen Kokoruda (R-Madison), and Jesse MacLachlan (R-Westbrook), as legislative colleagues representing Middlesex County, sent a letter to Governor Lamont urging him to assemble a more inclusive team of individuals advising his Reopen Connecticut group as well as urging greater transparency.  The letter, which can be viewed here, also identified the lack of individuals on the frontline having input in the Governor’s plan to reopen Connecticut.

“We have a common goal to overcome the virus.  As elected officials with accountability to our communities, the legislature must play a clearer role in the planning process to reopen Connecticut’s schools and economy,” explained Rep. Carpino.  “We interact with constituents daily and they deserve to have both input and transparency in the roadmap of our state’s future. Gov. Lamont has done his best to protect public health given the unforeseen circumstances. However, community leaders, main street businesses, parents, and elected officials are untapped resources ready to help Connecticut recover.”

“Residents across our region have worked hard to navigate this crisis, closely following public health recommendations and executive orders. As we begin to talk about re-opening, the most important role for a state representative is to listen to constituents and make sure their local concerns are addressed,” said Rep. Haines. “Simply put, public input and transparency lead to good policy decisions, I hope that Governor Lamont takes this into consideration and adds a member of the General Assembly to the Re-Open Connecticut Advisory Group.”

“Because the coronavirus outbreak has impacted the whole of our community, the process of reopening the state requires a measured, inclusive approach,” said Rep. Kokoruda. “I recognize that the governor’s actions during this outbreak have greatly reduced the toll the virus could have potentially had on our state. Still, it’s important that going forward, members of the public and their elected representatives have a say in decisions being made on their behalf.”

“The conversation to reopen Connecticut is a very serious one and I think the preliminary and ongoing conversations we have on how, when, and which precautions we take in order to get Connecticut moving again need to include individuals who directly represent the public,” Rep. MacLachlan said.

Although the legislature will not meet in person before May 6th, their work for the year is not complete. A special session is being discussed to complete legislative business.