House Republican Press Release

January 11, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REPRESENTATIVE HOVEY RECEIVES COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Area Legislator To Serve In Leadership Role On Education Committee

            As the General Assembly’s 2007 Session gets underway, State Representative DebraLee Hovey, R-112^th District, has been appointed by House Republican Leader Lawrence Cafero, R-142, as House Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Education Committee. She was elected to her third term representing the 112^th District, which is comprised of Monroe and sections of Newtown, on November 7.

Ranking Members serve as the Caucus’ leader on issues before that committee. The Education Committee has cognizance of all matters relating to the Department of Education; local and regional boards of education and the substantive law of collective bargaining covering teachers and professional employees of such boards; vocational rehabilitation; the Commission on the Arts; and libraries, museums and historical and cultural associations.

“DebraLee Hovey has served with distinction as Ranking Member of the Legislature’s Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee the past two years,” said Rep. Cafero. “Because education plays a crucial role in the lives of our state’s children, legislation that originates in this committee ultimately has a tremendous impact on Connecticut’s future. She is an extremely hard worker and I am confident she will excel in this leadership position.”

“I am honored to receive this appointment,” said Rep. Hovey, who has served as a member of the committee since joining the Legislature in 2003. “It will allow me to better advocate for quality education in my district and help shape the state’s agenda on school issues.”

            Rep. Hovey will also serve as a member of the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee and Judiciary Committee—two of the Legislature’s busiest committees. In fact, according to a 2006 report from the non-partisan Office of Legislative Research (OLR), the top-ranked committees in activity last year were: (1) Judiciary, (2) Appropriations, (3) Environment, (3) Energy and Technology and (4) Labor and Public Employees. 

The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over the state’s judicial system including criminal penalties, the appointment of judges, and the Department of Corrections. The Appropriations Committee, which has cognizance of all matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies.

“I appreciate Representative Cafero’s confidence in my abilities and the opportunity to serve on such high profile committees,” said Rep. Hovey. “Legislation that has some of the biggest impact on people in our state originates in these committees and serving in them provides the chance to have input on the bills at the outset.”