Rep. O’Dea Gets Legislative Committee Assignments

HARTFORD- Leaders of the Connecticut House Republican caucus on Monday appointed New Canaan resident Thomas O’Dea to three legislative committees: Judiciary, Transportation and Environment.

When O’Dea takes the oath of office on January 9th, he will represent the 125th General Assembly District, which includes New Canaan and Wilton.

Tom has been a member of New Canaan’s Town Council since 2005 and for the last 20 years has been a practicing attorney and partner for one of the region’s largest law firms, Halloran & Sage LLP.

O’Dea’s role on the Judiciary Committee will see him consider issues such as judicial procedures, criminal law, probate, probation, parole, estates and judicial nominations.

Tom has a unique insight into the judicial nomination process due to his 2004 appointment by then Gov. Rell to the Judicial Selection Commission, which is responsible for recommending the appointment and reappointment of judges.

Also from 1995 to 2004, Mr. O’Dea served by appointment of the governor as a member of the Police Officers Standards and Training Council (POST), which is responsible for overseeing all training certification of police officers in Connecticut. From 1997 to 2004, he served by appointment of the governor as a Victim Compensation Commissioner within the state’s judicial branch, responsible for adjudicating claims brought by victims of crimes.

“I am particularly pleased with these committee assignments, O’Dea said. Crime and public safety are on the foremost minds of Connecticut residents. One of our numbers jobs is to make sure we do everything possible to protect our citizens.”

The Transportation Committee focuses on Connecticut’s highways and bridges, navigation, aeronautics, mass transit and railroads. O’Dea is looking forward to work in this vitally important area for the 125th district.

“We must remember our state transportation system is the key to interstate commerce. The better our roads and rails are, the easier our economy can turnaround,” said O’Dea.

O’Dea is also looking forward to serving on the Environment Committee, which handles issues related to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, including conservation, recreation, pollution control, fisheries and game, state parks and forests, water resources and flood and erosion control.

“We must preserve our natural resources for future generations,” he said.