Crumbling Foundation Caucus Names Leadership

HARTFORD, CT — Members of the legislature's bipartisan Crumbling Foundations Caucus met last week at the State Capitol to appoint its leaders for the 2020 session, which begins Wednesday, Feb. 5.

The caucus has taken a different approach to appointing its leaders, appointing one chair from each political caucus for a total of four chair members.

The Democratic co-chairs include state Sen. Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), and state Rep. Pat Wilson Pheanious, (D-Tolland). The Republican co-chairs are state Sen. Daniel Champagne (R -Vernon) and state Rep. Tom Delnicki (R-South Windsor).

State Rep. Geoff Luxenberg (D-Manchester), founder and chair of the caucus, announced he would step down from the role of chair but will remain as a caucus member.

"I look forward to working alongside Representative Delnicki, Senator Champagne, and Senator Anwar in this new leadership role," said Rep. Wilson Pheanious. "This will allow us to continue to address the issues that property owners with crumbling foundations are facing from a variety of perspectives in a bipartisan manner. I look forward to continuing to develop partnerships with the various private and public agencies that are necessary for providing affected homeowners with real relief."

"We have been fortunate as a state to help many of the victims of the crumbling foundations disaster. However, a lot more needs to be done. I look forward to working with my colleagues to help our neighbors and neighboring communities," said Sen. Anwar.

"I am happy to be a co-chair on the Crumbling Foundations Caucus as we work on a bipartisan basis to help those affected," said Sen. Champagne.

"I look forward to working with the new co-chairs as we continue to help people put their lives and their homes back together," said Rep. Delnicki.

The caucus also discussed several priorities, which include eliminating the sunset date of the crumbling foundations captive insurer, Connecticut Foundations Solutions Indemnity Company, so it can continue to help finance foundation repairs and replacements. The caucus will continue to work with U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney's office, the governor's office, state and federal agencies, and relevant private entities and industries to develop additional funding opportunities.

The bipartisan caucus was founded in 2019 as a way for legislators to work collaboratively with CFSIC and help homeowners with concrete foundations that are crumbling due to the presence of pyrrhotite.