Republicans walk out of Senate in protest of vote for top utility regulator
Gillett, Arconti approved by House to serve as PURA commissioners
In February, the governor's office entered into a deal to ensure that Gillett would get a favorable vote in a legislative committee. As a part of that deal, a senator on that committee, Democrat John Fonfara, would be appointed to the board of the Utility Regulator.
Fonfara's new role comes with a six-figure salary. The senator, who represents Connecticut's 1st district, had been deliberating whether or not to support Gillett for another term: he ultimately voted yes.
Democrats in the state senate have mostly referred questions about that deal to the governor's office, but Republicans have been speaking out against the deal for months.
'It is nothing short of corruption what has gone on here today to get Marissa Gillett's vote out of the executive nominations committee,' Senate Minority Leader Republican Sen. Steve Harding said. 'The governor's office played a significant role and a direct role in making that happen. It is wrong beyond words. And we will not allow our constituents vote to be complicit in what has gone on here.'
CT's top utility regulator clears key vote in legislature
The Senate Majority Leader praised Gillett's work at PURA.
'Let's talk about Marissa – her work as a change agent at PURA,' Senate Majority Leader Sen. Bob Duff said. 'How she has saved consumers millions of dollars, how she has four wins to zero losses when it comes to rate cases in court. She has done a very good job to work for consumers.'
The governor has acknowledged that there was an 'arrangement' made to secure Gillett's re-confirmation and that appointing Fonfara was a part of that arrangement. His spokesperson characterized the Republican walk-out as 'political theater' and that the governor just wants to focus on getting cheaper energy in Connecticut.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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