Rep. John Frey of Ridgefield on the opening day of the new legislative session.
State Rep. John Frey (R-111) welcomed in the 2014 Legislative Session this Thursday, a day after House leaders braved the snow to officially open the session on the day outlined in the State Constitution.
Along with his fellow legislators at the State Capitol, Rep. Frey took part in the traditional joint convention of the General Assembly and Governor Malloy’s State of the State speech.
The ceremonies mark the beginning of a three-month-long “short session,” during which only bills that are fiscal in nature may be considered. All non-budgetary or fiscal bills must be submitted through committees.
Rep. Frey currently serves as a minority whip, and also serves on the Finance, Revenue, & Bonding Committee; the Banks Committee; and the Aging Committee.
Mr. Frey said the most pressing issue of the current session will be making adjustments to the budget, which currently reflects a large surplus comprised largely of one-time and unreliable revenues, with billion dollar deficits waiting in the coming years as well as significant unfunded liabilities such as pensions and retiree healthcare.
The House will also take up issues such as continuing the work on school safety, mental health, and evaluating the Common Core State Standards, evaluating the effects of the Affordable Care Act and the spending associated with Medicaid expansion, and improving the State’s overall economic climate and long-term fiscal outlook.
Rep. Frey has also been serving on a task force looking at reforms to the state’s affordable housing (8-30g) statutes.
“We will work hard this year to try to get Connecticut’s finances healthier in both the short and long terms, and I also want to make sure we address the things that are holding us back from a full recovery — be it excessive regulations, high taxes, or other inefficiencies,” said Rep. Frey.
“I’m also ready to take a deeper look into how the Common Core Standards are affecting our schools. I want people in Ridgefield to know that they can always reach out to me with any other ideas they may have.”
Rep. Frey will join his colleagues in the coming weeks to announce their official caucus priorities for the 2014 session which adjourns on May 7.
Rep. Frey can be reached at John.Frey@housegop.ct.gov or by phone at 800-842-1423. Constituents can also follow his legislative activity throughout the session by visiting his website www.repfrey.com . There, they can also sign up for email updates sent throughout the legislative session.