House Republican Press Release

December 17, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER CAFERO NAMES LEADERSHIP TEAM

HARTFORD  - House Republican Leader state Rep. Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., today named the caucus leadership team for the upcoming 2009 legislative session.

“This is a very strong group of experienced lawmakers who represent more than Connecticut residents in 79 communities . We face difficult times ahead but this team of leaders is up to the challenge,’’ Cafero said. “As House Republicans have done for the last two years, we will make a difference and influence the debate over the direction Connecticut will take despite  being in the minority. There is no question my mind that Connecticut would be in even worse fiscal shape than we are were not for the House Republican agenda the last two years.’’

Cafero announced that his Deputy Leaders will continue on: state Rep. Themis Klarides of Derby and Rep. William Hamzy of Terryville. Rep. John Harkin of Stratford will be Deputy Leader-At-Large and the new Caucus Chair will be Rep. Penny Bacchiochi of Somers.

Rep. John Frey of Ridgefield, Rep. Pam Sawyer of Bolton and Rep. John Piscopo of Thomaston will serve House Republican Whips.

Assistant Leaders are:

· Rep. Mary Ann Carson of New Fairfield; Rep. Clark Chapin of New Milford; Rep. Tony D’Amelio of Waterbury; Rep. Livvy Floren and Lile Gibbons both of Greenwich; Rep. John Hetherington of New Canaan; Rep. DebraLee Hovey of Monroe; Rep. David Labriola of Naugatuck; Rep. Craig Miner of Litchfield; Rep. Selim Noujaim of Watebury; Rep. Arthur O’Neill of Southbury, Rep. David Scribner of Brookfield and Rep. John Stripp of Weston.

Committee Assignments:

· Appropriations: Craig Miner – RM, Fred Camillo, John Hetherington, DebraLee Hovey, Tony Hwang, Arthur O’Neill, Jason Perillo, Pam Sawyer, John Stripp, Terrie Wood

· Finance, Revenue and Bonding: Vinny Candelora – RM, Mary Ann Carson, Chris Coutu, Livvy Floren, John Frey, Lile Gibbons, Themis Klarides, Tim LeGeyt, John Piscopo, John Rigby, David Scribner

· Education: Marilyn Giuliano – RM, Tony Hwang, Themis Klarides, David Labriola, Tim LeGeyt, Terrie Wood

· Environment: Clark Chapin – RM, Fred Camillo, Larry Miller, Craig Miner, Jason Perillo, John Piscopo, Terrie Wood

· Government Administration and Elections: John Hetherington – RM, Livvy Floren, David Labriola

· Judiciary: Arthur O’Neill – RM, Bill Aman, Chris Coutu, Bill Hamzy, John Hetherington, DebraLee Hovey, Themis Klarides, David Labriola, T.R. Rowe

· Planning and Development: Bill Aman – RM, Vinny Candelora, Craig Miner, T.R. Rowe

· Transportation: David Scribner – RM, Fred Camillo, Lile Gibbons, Jan Giegler, John Harkins, Tony Hwang, Pam Sawyer

· Banks: John Stripp – RM, John Frey, Bill Hamzy, John Harkins

· Energy and Technology: Sean Williams – RM, Bill Hamzy, Larry Miller, John Rigby

· General Law: Penny Bacchiochi – RM, Bill Aman, Tony D’Amelio

· Insurance: Tony D’Amelio – RM, Mike Alberts, Penny Bacchiochi, Sean Williams

· Labor and Public Employees: Selim Noujaim – RM, Bill Aman

· Human Services: Lile Gibbons – RM, Clark Chapin, Chris Coutu, John Rigby

· Public Health: Jan Giegler – RM, Mary Ann Carson, Marilyn Giuliano, Themis Klarides, Tim LeGeyt, David Scribner

· Public Safety: Jason Perillo – RM, Penny Bacchiochi, Clark Chapin, Tony D’Amelio

· Commerce: Mike Alberts – RM, Selim Noujaim, John Stripp, Sean Williams

· Legislative Management: Larry Cafero – RM, John Harkins, John Piscopo, Pam Sawyer

· Executive and Legislative Nominations: John Piscopo – RM, Jan Giegler, Bill Hamzy

· Program Review and Investigations: Mary Ann Carson – RM, Vinny Candelora, Marilyn Giuliano

· Regulation Review: T.R. Rowe – CHAIR, Vinny Candelora, Bill Hamzy, Arthur O’Neill

· Higher Education and Employment Advancement: Pam Sawyer – RM, Mike Alberts, Selim Noujaim, John Rigby

· Housing: Larry Miller – RM, T.R. Rowe

· Children: DebraLee Hovey – RM, Mike Alberts

· Internship: Jan Giegler – CHAIR,  Themis Klarides

· Veterans’ Affairs: John Harkins – RM, Chris Coutu

· Aging: John Frey – RM, Livvy Floren