Rep. Ackert Receives Committee Assignments

Connecticut House Republicans on Monday assigned Coventry resident Tim Ackert (R-8) to three legislative committees.

On Jan. 7, Ackert will begin his third two-year term representing the 8th General Assembly District of Coventry, Columbia, Tolland and Vernon.

When the next legislative session begins, Ackert will serve as the Ranking Member of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, which handles issues related to public and private utilities, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, and all matters regarding energy planning and activities. The Ranking Member is the highest rank that a minority party member can receive in a committee. Ranking Members are allowed more influence on which bills are discussed and get the chance to meet directly with leaders from the majority party.

He was also assigned to the Education Committee, on which he was Ranking Member during his last term. The Education Committee covers local and state Boards of Education, the Department of Education, the Commission on the Arts and libraries, museums and historical and cultural associations. He will also continue to serve on the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, which handles all issues related to the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Office of Higher Education, as well as all post graduate or adult training programs offered to the public by any state agency or funded in whole or in part by the state.

Ackert is prepared for challenges tied to those assignments. He is particularly knowledgeable about electricity and utilities, as he has owned and operated his own private electric company for over twenty years. He has also served as a Trustee for the community colleges, which gives him knowledge and experience in administering higher education.

“With the recent problems and price increases at CL&P and other electric providers, I am excited to join this committee and share my expertise,” he said. “There will undoubtedly be bills regarding this subject matter and I look forward to being a leader on the discussion.”