State Senator Thomas A. Colapietro

State Senator Thomas A. Colapietro was reelected to the Connecticut State Senate in 2006 for his eighth term. Senator Colapietro represents the 31st District, which includes of the towns of Bristol, Plainville, Plymouth, and portions of Harwinton.

Senator Colapietro continues to serve as the Deputy Senate Majority Leader, as well as Chair of the General Law Committee. He is also a member of the Internship, Legislative Management, and Transportation Committees.

In previous terms, he has served as the Chair and ranking member of the Labor & Public Employees Committee.

Senator Colapietro has received numerous awards for his efforts on behalf of the working people and families of Connecticut. He was named 2002 Legislator of the Year by the Independent Electrical Contractors of New England and the 2001 Legislator of the Year by the Connecticut Package Stores Association. In each case, Senator Colapietro's commitment to fair trade practices to benefit Connecticut consumers was cited by those presenting the awards. In recent years, he has also received special recognition from Tunxis Community College and from the Boys and Girls Club of Bristol.

Senator Colapietro wrote Connecticut's extremely popular "Do Not Call" legislation, enacted in 2000, to restrict telemarketing firms from calling residents who are properly registered with the state Department of Consumer Protection.

Senator Colapietro was honored by the Bristol Chamber of Commerce for establishing a world class ISO Registration for Central Connecticut manufacturers and was honored by the Connecticut Roofing Contractors Association for his work on behalf of Connecticut contractors and subcontractors.

Senator Colapietro was named the 2004 Legislator of the Year by the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, citing his sound policy judgment as well as "good common sense." In the 2004 legislative session, Senator Colapietro was a driving force behind the defeat of a bill that would have allowed liquor stores to sell alcohol on Sundays and was honored again by the Connecticut Package Stores Association.

Senator Colapietro was also honored in 2004 by the American Subcontractors Association of Connecticut for being "a longstanding friend of the subcontractor and the Connecticut Construction Industry," according to the association. Senator Colapietro helped push through the Small Business Protection Bill, which specifically called for stricter payment guidelines to help subcontractors collect the money they're owed from construction managers, general contractors, or owners. It also requires owners to pay for labor and materials within thirty days of receiving a written request for payment, general contractors to pay their subcontractors for labor and materials within thirty days of receiving payment, and subcontractors to insist on these provisions in their contracts with other subcontractors and suppliers.

In 2006, Senator Colapietro was honored by the Utility Contractors of Connecticut for his work on Public Act 06-49, An Act Concerning Education for plumbers, which revised the continuing education requirements for licensed and apprentice plumbers in the state. In 1993, Senator Colapietro was recognized for his leadership in the General Assembly on senior citizen issues by United Senior in Action. He was also honored for his efforts to encourage young people to become involved in the democratic process by the Close Up Foundation.

Senator Colapietro is retired from the Delco Chassis Division of General Motors where he was employed as a set-up operator for 29 years. He served in the United States Navy from 1957-1961.

Long active in community service, Senator Colapietro served as coach and manager for the McCabe Waters Little League, as coach of the Scott League, and as President of the Connecticut State UAW Community Action Program Council.

He is presently a member of AARP, the Bristol Fish and Game Club, the National Council of Senior Citizens, and as a veteran, is a member of Bristol Post No. 2 of the American Legion.

Senator Colapietro attended Bristol Technical High School and has also participated in various continuing education computer courses. Senator Colapietro currently lives with his wife, Sue, in Bristol on 40 Matthews Street. He has three grown children and six grandchildren.