House Republican Press Release

 

 

 

December 1, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

 

Rep. DelGobbo Named to Key Committee Assignment

 

Appointed to Leadership Post on Budget-Writing Appropriations Committee

 

NAUGATUCK—State Representative Kevin M. DelGobbo (R-70th, Naugatuck) will assume the ranking member position on the legislature’s Appropriations Committee for the next two years. He will play a key role in negotiating and developing the state budget.

 

House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero, Jr., appointed Rep. DelGobbo to the important committee assignment. Rep. Cafero said, “Kevin DelGobbo is one of the most hard working and conscientious legislators when it comes to protecting the interests of Connecticut families, senior citizens and taxpayers. He will work especially hard in assuring that tax dollars are spent properly.”

 

Rep. DelGobbo said, “It is an honor to serve in this critical role that affects every citizen of the state and every business, with a dramatic impact on the future prosperity of the state.”

 

Rep. DelGobbo has been one of the strongest voices for fiscal restraint and against one-time, budget-balancing gimmicks that have intensified the state’s recurring fiscal problems. On the legislature’s Finance Committee for the past 10 years, he has served as a fiscal watchdog. He said he expects to continue to be a voice for the taxpayer and to watch out for their hard earned tax dollars.

 

Rep. DelGobbo noted that Gov. M. Jodi Rell will present her budget priorities to the legislature in February, and the budget debate will continue until a two-year budget document is adopted before the state House and Senate adjourn on June 6.

 

Rep. DelGobbo said his budget priorities include five important issues:

 

Implementing the Constitutional Spending Cap.

He said, “I will be working as hard as I can to implement the constitutional spending cap as directed by 80 percent of the voters in 1991. My belief is the legislature has purposefully refused to implement the directive that voters gave in 1991, and this has had important implications for the stability of the state budget.”

 

Funding Pension Obligations

“I want to see real progress in dealing with the state’s enormous unfunded pension liability for the state teachers’ retirement system, state employee pensions and post retirement health and life insurance commitments. The longer we delay grappling with the issue, the more it will cost taxpayers over time.”

 

Increasing Oversight and Accountability

“We need to have vigorous oversight and review of state programs and services. Basically, the budget deliberations should be not just a discussion of how much more we can spend, but also how well we are spending what we have.”

 

Creating Budget Stability

“The legislature must move away from the boom or bust cycle in state budgeting toward a sustainable budget framework that meets the needs of the citizens for years to come.

 With careful planning, we can meet the needs of the citizens, balance the budget and avoid recurring deficits that have resulted in major tax increases that hurt the people of state and the economy.”

 

Rep. DelGobbo said, “I hope to work with members of both political parties to address these problems this year.”

 

State Rep. Kevin DelGobbo serves the 70th Assembly District of Naugatuck in the state House of Representatives.