This report was re-edited at 3 pm on January 19 to correct a previously misidentified family member of Senator Tony Hwang.

The elected members of Newtown’s state legislative delegation — several surrounded by family members — each expressed varying degrees of optimism as they took their oaths of office to open the 2019 general assembly on Wednesday, January 9.

Those lawmakers, Senator Tony Hwang (R-28), and Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-116), Raghib Allie-Brennan (D-2), and JP Sredzinski (R-112), all said they were looking forward to the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues and the administration of Governor Ned Lamont, who was also sworn in that day.

Excitement was palpable in the halls of the capitol more than an hour before ceremonies for the day were scheduled to begin, as newcomers, staff, and incumbent legislators and constitutional officers, including incoming Attorney General William Tong and incoming Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, were seen arriving for what would be a very long and involved series of events.

Official proceedings commenced shortly after 10 am in their individual chambers as senators and representatives added their individual and sometimes humorous responses during roll calls before raising their right hands and swearing to uphold the Constitution of the State of Connecticut.

For example, instead of the more typical “here,” “present,” or “aye,” when called, Rep Bolinsky answered, “Proud to be here.”

“Opening day,” as it was being referred to, also drew volunteers with Newtown’s Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard, who rode in a brief parade between the State Armory and the Capital building following Gov Lamont’s swearing in. Horse Guard members then had to boomerang back to Newtown to return their horses before speeding back to stand among honor guard escort personnel for the governor’s Inaugural Ball later that evening.

Having run unopposed, Rep Sredzinski said he was “thrilled to be back in Hartford,” being sworn in to his third term at the State Capitol surrounded by family members, including his wife of 14 months, Emanuela.

“It’s always an awe-inspiring experience walking into the Capitol, even on the most routine days,” Rep Sredzinski told The Newtown Bee. “The sense of honor sweeps over you that you are representing 28,000 people in your district, in the communities I love the most. They send you there to take care of the state’s business, to represent them, and to try and make Connecticut a better place to be, work, and live. And having my family with me was very encouraging.”

Despite the unopposed election, Rep Sredzinski said he “never lost sight of the honor, responsibility, and duty of serving the state. That is something that is very, very inspirational.”

“Reflecting back on why I ran for this position originally, I continue to seek to make our state more affordable and to improve our economy,” he said. “I am especially honored to continue as the lead House Republican of the Public Safety and Security Committee.”

Rep Sredzinski will serve as a member of the Human Services and Higher Education & Employment Committees and as Ranking Member of the Public Safety and Security Committee.

As the Public Safety Ranking Member, Rep Sredzinski will lead his caucus members on issues regarding the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection as well as civil preparedness and homeland security, state police, the state-wide organized crime investigative task force, municipal police training, fire marshals, the fire safety code, the state building code, and legalized gambling. In addition, the Human Services Committee has cognizance over all matters relating to the Department of Social Services and its institutions and the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities and the Department of Rehabilitation Services.

The Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee oversees matters relating to public and independent institutions of higher education, including UConn, private occupational schools, post secondary education, job training institutions and programs, apprenticeship training programs, and adult job training programs offered to the public by any state agency or funded in whole or in part by the state.

Rep Sredzinski said he is ready to support House and Senate Republican budget priorities for the 2019 session, including implementing long-term structural changes to restore sustainability and predictability to the budget and the Prioritize Progress transportation plan to fund and protect transportation dollars without tolls or tax increases.

‘Very Encouraging’

Rep Bolinsky, who began his fourth term, said the remarks he heard from the new governor and some of his colleagues were “very encouraging,” and that he has since headed to Hartford with a “new kind of optimism.”

“I’m always optimistic, but this is something of a new kind of optimism,” Rep Bolinsky said. “We don’t have a lot of expectations that things will be left the same. And some of the things that I think are going to change aren’t necessarily going to be things that everybody will support.”

He said the governor seems to have an open door, and the Newtown delegation would take advantage of that access “whenever possible.”

Rep Bolinsky described his opening day as “wonderful,” as he not only attended or monitored the festivities and procedural activities, but spent a few minutes chatting with Second and First Company Horse Guard members before the inaugural parade.

Reflecting on the Governor’s remarks, the Newtown lawmaker said they seemed encouraging.

“The proof is in the pudding, as they say.” Rep Bolinsky has risen to the rank of Assistant Republican Leader this session and serves on the legislature’s powerful Appropriations Committee, Education Committee, and Aging Committee.

He observed that with party and personnel changes and a crop of new lawmakers in both chambers, “people are going to have to step up and take on things they never did before. It’s going to get people out of their comfort zones on both sides of the aisle.”

Rep Bolinsky said he was heartened to hear the governor’s remarks, assuring lawmakers he was ready to work collaboratively and how Gov Lamont would be “laser focused on fixing, in his words — ‘this damned budget.’ We have a terrible budget process because we don’t have a short- and a long-term plan. We take things in two-year bites, and because Lamont is a business person, I’m very hopeful that we’re not going to just be looking at a budget that is at the tip of our nose but what’s on the horizon, so we can plan accordingly and invest in resources before we experience emergencies.

“We need to set us up for success, which is something we never did before,” Rep Bolinsky said.

Leadership Appointment

Rep Allie-Brennan said it was wonderful to have family members with him as he took his seat in the front row of the Assembly Chamber almost directly in front of the speaker’s dais to be sworn in as the youngest member of the 2019 assembly.

“My grandmother is an immigrant from Guyana, so to have her there along with my father, sister, and other family was especially great,” he said. “I only slept a couple of hours the night before the opening session; I was so excited.”

Rep Allie-Brennan said it was breathtaking to walk into the Capitol on his first day as a statesman, but said the event marked the culmination of years of public and elected service.

“After serving in other capacities from Washington to Bethel and then losing the election for this seat by so few votes in 2016, it’s like I’ve been waiting two years for this day,” he added.

Allie-Brennan was named vice chairman of the House Energy and Technology Committee, serving alongside State Representative David Arconti (HD-109), who has been named committee chairman. The Energy and Technology Committee has jurisdiction over all matters relating to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, energy planning and activities, telecommunications, information systems, and related technology.

In addition to his role as vice chairman, Allie-Brennan has been appointed Assistant Majority Leader, a role that positions him as a key member of House leadership. He will also serve as a member of both the Public Safety & Security Committee and General Law Committee.

On day two of the session, Rep Allie-Brennan hit the ground running by introducing legislation to eliminate Connecticut’s $250 business entity tax and to prohibit the sale of puppies and kittens raised under inhumane conditions.

“The business entity tax is a prime example of how red tape is hurting our small businesses. I look forward to working with my colleagues and Governor Lamont to cut the bureaucracy and help make it easier to do business in Connecticut,” said Allie-Brennan.

The Bethel resident, whose district overlaps western parts of Newtown, also introduced a bill with State Representative Jason Doucette of Manchester that targets the controversial breeding facilities known as puppy mills or kitten factories, which often operate with little or no oversight.

This bill will cut off the supply of inhumanely bred puppies and kittens into Connecticut and prevent people from unknowingly supporting a cruel industry. Rep Allie-Brennan’s legislation would prohibit the sale of pets raised under these conditions.

‘Difficult Decisions’

Senator Hwang also brought his mother to opening day of the session, along with hosting his son and a number of his son’s friends who drove up to take in the pomp and ceremonies.

He said as he walked into the Senate Chambers on opening day, he was filled with a tremendous sense of personal gratitude and appreciation for earning the opportunity to continue serving.

“I want to thank the people of Newtown for their support,” Sen Hwang said. “On a personal level, it was fantastic to have my son and my mother present. The experience is near and dear to me, and it never gets old being part of the General Assembly.”

Calling himself an “eternal optimist,” Sen Hwang said he recognized Gov Lamont “was going to shape Connecticut in his mold.”

“Our new Governor has indicated his willingness to listen to all viewpoints and adopt any good ideas geared towards helping our state out of the fiscal mess we find ourselves in, and I look forward to seeing how we are able to work together on a bipartisan and bicameral basis — Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate, Legislature and Executive,” Sen Hwang said. “At the same time, we understand there are going to be difficult decisions to be made.

“In the last two years, we have made historic strides in the way of bipartisanship. We have passed two budgets, overridden ex-Governor Malloy’s vetoes, and passed common sense legislation, and I hope for no less from this upcoming session,” he continued.

“I look forward to helping as minority leader in three key committees, including Housing, Higher Education & Employment, and Public Safety & Security, as well as being a member of the Transportation Committee, where I am excited to work with my colleagues to solve the problems we face in terms of our infrastructure and public transit,” Sen Hwang said.

The 2019 Regular Legislative Session will adjourn at midnight on June 5.