Rep. - Elect Mike France Receives Legislative Committee Posts

LEDYARD – Connecticut House Republicans on Monday assigned Rep. – Elect Mike France (R-42) to three legislative committees. France unseated House Democrat State Rep. Timothy Bowles to represent the 42nd district of Ledyard, Preston and Montville and will begin his first two-year term on January 7th.

When France takes office, he will serve on the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, which handles matters related to state agency budgets, state employees’ salaries, pensions and collective bargaining agreements, and arbitration awards for state employees. France will also serve on the Government Administration & Elections and Planning & Development Committees.

As a Member of the Government Administration & Elections Committee, France will strive to improve all matters relating to the Departments of Administrative Services and Public Works, as well as the Freedom of Information and Ethics Commissions. This includes issues of purchasing, central collections, leasing, construction, maintenance, purchase and sale of state property, state and federal relations, interstate compacts, compacts between the state and Indian tribes, constitutional amendments, election laws and state government organization, structures and procedures.

The Planning & Development Committee will offer France opportunities to progress matters regarding the State Plan of Conservation and Development, which encompasses housing, urban renewal, fire, sewer and metropolitan districts, home rule, planning and zoning, and economic development.

As a former Town Councilor and Finance Committee Chair in Ledyard, France is prepared for the challenges tied to his assignments, as well as the responsibilities of being a State Representative. He is especially looking forward to taking on an active role in restoring fiscal accountability to balancing Connecticut’s state budget without raising tax revenue, and promoting a business-friendly environment for our small businesses with job opportunities for our unemployed residents.

“With a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit on the horizon, I am eager to commence my battle against the current fiscal policies that raise taxes and borrow to pay for excessive government spending, which in turn chase away private businesses and our tax base.” France said. “State finances can’t remain in perpetual deficit. Our residents can’t afford higher taxes. It’s simply unsustainable. We need to explore new and creative ways to reduce spending.”