PI native appointed assistant leader in Connecticut House

    Connecticut State Rep. DebraLee Hovey has been appointed an Assistant Minority Leader in the State House of Representatives by House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr. In November, Hovey, a Presque Isle native, was elected to her fourth term representing Monroe and Newtown, Conn. in the General Assembly.     As an Assistant Minority Leader, Hovey will help formulate caucus positions and policy. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G.M. Hovey, who are Presque Isle residents.
    “DebraLee has consistently proven herself a conscientious and dynamic legislator,” said Cafero. “I am confident she will excel in her new leadership role and continue to serve her district and all the residents of Connecticut extremely well.”
    Hovey has also been appointed to serve on several legislative committees for the 2009-2010 sessions. She will continue to serve on the Appropriations Committee, which has cognizance of all matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies. Other issues under the committee’s jurisdiction include matters relating to state employees’ salaries, benefits and retirement, teachers’ retirement and veterans’ pensions and collective bargaining agreements and arbitration awards for all state employees.
    Hovey noted that serving on the Appropriations Committee will be particularly challenging in 2009.
    “Given the deficits Connecticut is facing in the next two fiscal years, it’s going to be crucial to find savings in state spending,” she said. “Our state has always provided some of the best services of any state to its citizens and we must strive to continue that distinction, while ensuring there is no waste in government.”
    Hovey will also continue to serve on the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, which has cognizance of all matters relating to courts, judicial procedures, criminal law, probate courts, probation, parole, wills, estates, adoption, divorce, bankruptcy, escheat, law libraries, deeds, mortgages, conveyancing, preservation of land records and other public documents, the law of business organizations, uniform laws, validations, authorizations to sue and to appeal, claims against the state. In addition, it has cognizance over the nominating of all Connecticut judges.
    Finally, Hovey has been appointed to serve as Ranking Member (House Republican Leader) of the Legislature’s Select Committee on Children. Hovey said that serving in a leadership capacity on this committee will allow her to have a broader impact on children’s issues in the state.