by Beth MacGillivray, Representative Town Meeting District 7 Greenwich
The last couple months have been a whirlwind in Hartford with Democrats proposing much new legislation. Our new house representative, Kimberly Fiorello, has NOT disappointed.
The Democratic chairs of each committee have total control in managing meetings. When 100s of constituents register to testify on a bill for three minutes in public hearings the chairs limit legislators to asking questions of each witness, just 5 minutes to comment on the bill, or at times denying them the chance to ask any questions. And not everyone is being heard as hearings end after 24 hours often with 100s of constituents not having the opportunity to speak on very controversial bills that would expand state control over our lives in areas such as taxes, zoning and healthcare mandates from Hartford.
A member of the Planning and Development committee, Rep Fiorello is tireless in listening and asking questions in public hearings that have on several occasions lasted until the wee hours of the morning. For example, Rep Fiorello knows the topic of state mandated local zoning is vitally important to her constituents and she has been tireless in advocating for her constituents on this issue. Rep Fiorello knows that we want detailed information as it pertains to the enactment of said legislation and she is providing it every step of the way. Thanks to her energy and independent thinking, we are better informed of events in Hartford than ever before.
With Rep Fiorello encouragement many of us have started to follow committee meetings and hearings on YouTube and/or her Facebook page as well as testified in those hearings via zoom. This has helped to bring more transparency to what is occurring in Hartford.
Recently, I testified for the first time in several public hearings. I was one of over 300 Connecticut residents who testified regarding voter integrity. I discussed how our local election officials miraculously discovered 500 ballots after election night in Stamford. I also described my tradition of taking my children to the polls, demonstrating how easy and exciting it was to push buttons or fill in the ballot and receive a sticker saying I Voted. Our civic responsibility to vote can be fun and exciting and a worthwhile experience for our children too.
Rep Fiorello received the endorsement of CT Realtors, one of many endorsements. I know many of our real estate friends are greatly appreciative of her understanding of the real consequences of allowing Hartford bureaucrats to gain control over Greenwich’s and Stamford’s planning and zoning.
I urge you to sign up for Rep Fiorello’s email updates at Kimberly.Fiorello@housegop.ct.gov and/or Facebook @RepFiorello. Her email updates are the best way to stay informed about what is happening in Hartford and are far more detailed and informative than the snippets our local papers are able to publish. Notably, after Rep Fiorello sent out her first emails with details on how she voted, I received a similar email from Senator Kasser. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery and I think Senator Kasser following freshman Rep Fiorello’s lead explaining her votes, was a great compliment to Rep Fiorello. I applaud Kimberly Fiorello for her transparency, hard work, and advocacy for her constituents and am grateful she is our representative.
