State Senator Jonathan A. Harris
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Senator Harris’ |
The Press Room Senator Harris’ corner of our Press Room includes recent press releases and his Press Kit. Legislation A list of bills introduced by Senator Harris during the 2008 session can be found on the General Assembly Web site. |
Newsletters Senator Harris’ recent constituent newsletters: |
E-mail: Phone: 860-240-0498 Address: Legislative Office Building |
Jonathan A. Harris was elected state senator for the 5th District (serving Bloomfield, Burlington, Farmington and West Hartford) in November 2004, and was overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term in November 2006. Sen. Harris was originally elected to complete the term of Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin Sullivan, who took over as lieutenant governor, and to start serving a full term in January 2005.
Sen. Harris is chairman of the Human Services Committee, vice chairman of the Planning and Development Committee, Ranking Member of the Regulations Review Committee and a member of the Appropriations Committee.
Prior to his election, Sen. Harris served with distinction as the mayor of West Hartford. He was elected to the West Hartford Town Council in 2001 and was serving his second term as mayor when he was elected to the Senate. During his tenure as mayor, Sen. Harris successfully led the effort to reinvent town government, reducing its size while still preserving the quality of education and town services.
Sen. Harris also served as a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Property Tax Reform & Smart Growth. He has experienced first hand how the over reliance on the regressive property tax has impacted our communities.
Sen. Harris previously served as counsel to the Democratic Caucus of the House of Representatives. In 2000, he ran against a 20-year incumbent for the House of Representatives and lost by only 9 votes.
Sen. Harris has a long record of community service in West Hartford, including serving as a board member with the Senior Jobs Bank, the Noah Webster House, the Bridge and the Jewish Federation.
An attorney, Sen. Harris grew up in West Hartford, graduating from Hall High School in 1982. He earned a B.A. from Brandeis University in 1986. After working for former Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly, Sen. Harris earned a J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1990.
In his limited spare time, Sen. Harris likes to swim, run, read, listen to music and spend time with his family and friends.
Sen. Harris resides at 101-A Shadow Lane in West Hartford.
Reducing Childhood Poverty
March 11 - Senator Harris discusses pending legislation that could help meet the state-mandated goal of reducing childhood poverty by 50 percent by 2014.
Health Care Access
February 15 - Senator Harris questions the governor’s $4.7 million cut from the state budget that would have provided language assistance and improved access to health care for residents who do not speak English.
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