House Republican Press Release

December 1, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Piscopo Re-appointed House Republican Whip

State Representative John E. Piscopo, R-76^th District, has been re-appointed as a House Republican Whip, one of the top leadership positions within the House Republican caucus, by House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-142^nd District.

“John Piscopo is a natural leader who has an intimate knowledge of the legislative process, a personable demeanor, a unique ability to understand complex legislation and to explain and defend it in debate on the House floor. Those skills have served our caucus well over the years. I was pleased to re-appoint John as a House Republican Whip. I will rely heavily on his powers of persuasion over the next two years,” Representative Cafero said. “

As a House Republican Whip, Representative Piscopo works with other members of the House Republican caucus to ensure they understand and support important House Republican initiatives during legislative sessions. Representative Piscopo has served as a Republican Whip since his 1997 - 1998 term. Before being named Republican Whip, he served as an Assistant Republican Leader from 1993 through 1996.

“The next two years will be critical ones for our towns and our state,” Representative Piscopo said. “I fully expect that the pressure to expand state government and increase taxes will be enormous. Meanwhile, Connecticut continues to lose employers and population to other states, due in large part to the fact that our tax burden is among the highest per capita in the country.”

“The people of Burlington, Harwinton, Litchfield and Thomaston need good jobs and tax relief. I’d like to thank Larry Cafero for making me a part of his leadership team and look forward to working with my fellow leaders and my Republican colleagues over the next two years to promote full employment and oppose job killing tax increases that fall heaviest on middle class taxpayers and the companies that employ them,” Representative Piscopo said.