House Republican Press Release

January 19, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Stripp and Sen. Debicella: Appointed as Republican Leaders on Legislature’s Commerce Committee

A Spirit of Bipartisanship

State Representative John E. Stripp and State Senator Dan Debicella today announced they will be the Republican leaders on the Commerce Committee.

Rep. Stripp and Sen. Debicella will serve as ranking members of the legislature’s Commerce Committee, which has cognizance of all matters relating to the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Connecticut Development Authority and Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated. The committee is responsible for all legislation involving job creation and providing businesses incentives to stay in or move to Connecticut.

“Strong economic growth is the engine that makes all other priorities possible,” said Sen. Debicella.  “John Stripp and I are committed to promoting a pro-growth agenda to create jobs and build our economy.”

The Commerce Committee leadership fosters a genuine belief in bipartisanship. Sen. Debicella said, “People in Connecticut do not want partisan politics—they want solutions.  We will work diligently with our Democratic Co-chairmen Sen. Gary LeBeau and Rep. Jeff Berger.  We all share a common belief that solid Connecticut economy is imperative to our future.”

The Commerce committee’s strength is its ability to meet challenges head-on. Rep. Stripp said, “I look forward to working together in a bipartisan spirit on the Commerce Committee.  I only wish this spirit prevailed throughout the legislative committees.

Rep. Stripp and Sen. Debicella agree with the Democratic committee leadership who recently stated “the best welfare system is a paying job”.   Job creation is the key to continuing to improve quality of life for families in Connecticut.