Senate Leadership
October 30, 2007
Senate President Williams, Majority Leader Looney Lead Senate in Approval of State Bond Package
Senate authorizes $2.8 million in bonding, improvement plan for state universities
In a 35-to-zero vote, the Connecticut Senate, led by Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven), approved a $2.8 billion state bonding package for the next two fiscal years. The package includes funding authorizations for individual municipal projects as well as funds for clean water and flood control, bridge repair and maintenance, and school construction projects.
"What we've accomplished today is a complete package that addresses the needs of the state of Connecticut," Senator Williams said. "It represents the legislature's continued commitment to a diverse group of projects, ranging from investment in our transportation infrastructure to the submarine base to community revitalization efforts. This is truly a victory for the people of Connecticut and for our municipalities."
The package also includes a $950 million, 36-project, 10-year investment in the Connecticut State University System for system-wide infrastructure and capital improvements, known as CSU 2020 and now slated to begin in 2009.
Senator Williams continued, "This is a tremendous investment in our state university system, an investment that is greatly needed and that will benefit thousands of students in our state. The foundation for Connecticut's future economic security and development is our education system and the readiness of our graduates to play a part in our growth. CSU is a critical component of that foundation."
"The traditional role of the legislature in the bonding process is to create authorizations that the State Bond Commission can then choose to allocate from," said Senator Looney. "With this bond authorization package we have not only preserved that legislative role of setting priorities such as school construction, clean water, economic development and transportation; but we also have crafted a well-rounded and balanced package that will greatly benefit the people of Connecticut. It is the product of much time and careful consideration, with strong emphasis placed on meeting the many demands that we face."
The bond package must be signed into law by Governor M. Jodi Rell; individual bonding projects must then be placed by the governor on the State Bond Commission agenda for its consideration and approval before any work is undertaken.
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Senator Williams’ Larry Cook |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Larry Cook |
