Danbury Rep. Breaks With Dems On Gov's Emergency Powers Extension

DANBURY, CT — When the General Assembly voted Wednesday to extend Gov. Ned Lamont's executive powers through the end of September, it did so without the normally reliable vote of the Democrat representing the 2nd District.

Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan broke ranks with his Democratic colleagues and governor and voted "no" to the measure.

"I was elected to be the voice of the people of the 2nd District, after receiving countless constituent emails and phone calls in opposition to an extension, I agree it is time to turn this dark page in our history while remaining vigilant," Allie-Brennan said in a statement released after the vote Wednesday afternoon.

Representatives in the House passed the legislation by 73-56. Senators approved the extension by a vote of 19-15. Specifically, the governor had asked that 11 of his executive orders, set to expire July 20, be extended.

"I applaud the Governor and his administration for successfully navigating Connecticut through the pandemic, but the 11 orders raised as a reason for extending executive powers can and should be addressed by the legislature," Allie-Brennan said.

An estimated 250 residents protested the anticipated executive powers extension in Hartford on Monday. The measure has been particularly contentious as some orders involve mandatory COVID-19 mitigation protocols such as mask-wearing.

Allie-Brennan pointed out that 24 states have already ended their emergency declarations including New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, and Pennsylvania. Lamont has argued that an emergency declaration is necessary to continue federal funding, but in the news release Allie-Brennan noted that "several states that have ended their emergency declarations have been given permission from the President to access those federal dollars."

The 2nd District encompasses the towns of Bethel, Danbury, Redding and Newtown.