House Republican Press Release

May 5, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. HETHERINGTON FAULTS HOUSE FOR EXCUSING UNION MEMBERS FROM ETHICS PENALTIES

State Representative John W, Hetherington, R-125, criticized the Connecticut House of Representatives for passing an ethics bill that allows certain state and municipal workers to avoid the risk of losing their pension if they are guilty of official corruption.

 “Elected and appointed officials can lose their pensions if they breach the public trust,” Hetherington said, “but not union members. Connecticut is unique in creating a double standard. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the Democratic majority leader is a union organizer.”

Representative Hetherington went on to say that the House action probably means no ethics bill will be enacted this year. “By passing an ethics bill that differs from the Senate version in the closing days of the session,” he added, “A strong bi-partisan effort to create a new ethics law may come to nothing.”

Rep. Hetherington represents most of New Canaan and a part of Wilton.