My Editorial: In the Driver’s Seat on Transportation

Every day we all have somewhere to be, whether it is work, a medical appointment, grocery store or school, we travel with one thing in mind, arrive at that given destination and return home safely. If you’re like me, you’re concerned with the safety of our roads, the excessive speed, erratic driving and inattentive drivers. We have seen the flashing sign on the interstate indicating the number of fatalities on our roadways. This is what I’m doing about it.

During my last term, I was given a unique responsibility after being appointed Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee. This means that as the highest-ranking Republican member, I am in charge of daily communications, research and deliberation of those bills that are related to transportation.

In my work as Ranking Member I was diligent in cracking down on wrong-way driving incidents, intoxicated and distracted driving, as well as green-lighting significant improvements to our roads, rail system and statewide infrastructure. I also played a role in protecting consumer rights against the intrusive electric vehicle mandate and finally in supporting our state and local law enforcement as they patrol our roads daily.

Due to my success, I was reappointed to this position for my upcoming term. My priorities are simple: address rising roadway fatality rates, stand by our police, and vocalize local concerns to ensure each and everyone of us always return home safely.

More specifically, I will bring attention to the increased use of marijuana while driving. It’s no secret that folks are driving high and distracted, especially when we can smell it from three cars away. Sadly, even with a smell being reasonable suspicion, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle prevented us from allowing police to crack down on intoxicated driving last year, making our roads less safe.

Next, we need to give law enforcement the tools they need to protect us effectively. I look forward to proposing infrastructural changes to accident-prone roads in our state, we can ease the burden of our officers while also investing in life-saving technology.

My first priority will always be to listen to my constituents and making sure their voices are heard. In addition to serving as the Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee, I also will be serving as a member of the Appropriations, Education, and Public Health Committees. As your State Representative, I encourage you all to share your voice throughout the legislative process which begins with you and your input. Please find all details of the legislative session at www.cga.ct.gov.

For the next two months, our legislative committees will be convening to propose new laws which often require a public hearing. I invite all of my constituents to submit written or verbal testimony on those proposals that matter to you.

Finally, I am asking all of my constituents in Milford and Orange to please consider taking my 2025 Legislative Survey that can be found at www.RepKennedy.com/survey2025. This brief survey will help me gain an updated understanding of our everchanging local landscape. Don’t forget that my door is always open to your questions, ideas, and concerns by contacting me at Kathy.Kennedy@housegop.ct.gov or at 860-240-8700.