HARTFORD — State Representative Mark Tweedie (R-13) joined fellow legislative lawmakers for opening day of the 2017 Legislative Session today at the State Capitol. The Opening Ceremony and Joint Convention that heard Governor Malloy’s “State of the State Address” marked the beginning of Rep. Tweedie’s second two-year term.
“I am really looking forward to serving my second term, and with a bit of experience behind me I am ready to hit the ground running this year,” said Rep. Tweedie. “Today a bill (H.B. 5170) that I recently proposed to prohibit the dispensing of opioids outside of a hospital setting to any person under the age of 18 was referred to the Public Health Committee. I hope that the Committee sees it through to be debated on the House Floor later on in the session.”
This “long” session allows for bills on a variety of issues to be introduced, debated and voted on in committees and legislative chambers. Most importantly, the General Assembly will be facing a significant budget shortfall entering the 2017 Legislative Session. The projected budget deficit for the biennial budget, covering 2018 through 2020, is approximately $3.5 billion.
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House and Senate Republican budget priorities for the 2017 session continue to include implementing long-term structural changes to restore sustainability and predictability to the budget, and the “Prioritize Progress” transportation plan to fund and protect transportation dollars without tolls or tax increases.
Upon receiving his new legislative committee assignments for this term, Rep. Tweedie is proud to announce that he is serving on the Energy & Technology Committee and the Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee. He will also continue to serve on the Environment Committee, as in his first term.
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In the Energy and Technology Committee, Rep. Tweedie will be tasked with overseeing all matters relating to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s energy planning and activities. Alternatively, on the Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee, he will work with the following parties to ensure quality education in our state: the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Office of High Education, public and independent institutions of higher education, private occupational schools, post-secondary education, job training institutions and programs, apprenticeship training programs and adult job training programs offered to the public by any state agency or funded in whole or in part by the state.
Rep. Tweedie can be reached at Mark.Tweedie@housegop.ct.gov or 800-842-1423. Constituents can follow his legislative endeavors by logging onto www.reptweedie.com or connecting with him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reptweedie. Rep. Tweedie also encourages Connecticut residents to follow committee meetings and House debates as they unfold live on Connecticut’s public affairs television network, CT-N, or by streaming the proceedings online by visiting www.ctn.state.ct.us.
The session will adjourn at midnight on June 7th.
