Press Releases

June 22, 2009
LAWMAKERS DECRY GOVERNOR’S CALL
TO CLOSE MANCHESTER COURTHOUSE
State Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester), House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield/Storrs), Rep. Jack Thompson (D-Manchester), Rep. Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford) along with other officials held a news conference outside the Manchester Courthouse to voice strong opposition to the Governor’s proposal to shut down the Courthouse as a cost cutting measure. READ MORE

Rep. Ryan Barry speaks at a press conference in front of the Manchester Courthouse in opposition to the Governor’s proposal to shut down the courthouse as a cost cutting measure. Rep. Jason Rojas and House Majority Leader Denise Merrill look on.

VIDEO - WFSB Channel 3 - June 22, 2009
Courthouse To Close Under Gov.'s Proposed Budget

June 11, 2009
QUIET BANKING BILL TAKES AIM AT DEBT FIXERS
Legislation introduced by State Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester) and Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Banks Committee, aims to protect individuals weighed down by household and consumer debt from unscrupulous debt negotiators who make grandiose claims to dramatically reduce debt or stave off home foreclosure. READ MORE

May 29, 2009
BILL CALLS FOR MANDATORY MEDIATION IN FORECLOSURE CASES
Legislation authored by State Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester) and Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), Co-chairs of the Legislature’s Banks Committee, requiring mediation between lenders and defendant borrowers in home foreclosure court cases received final approval by the General Assembly today. The bill (SB948), which passed the Senate last night and House today, now goes to the Governor to be signed into law. READ MORE  

May 29, 2009
BARRY BILL WOULD REDUCE COMMUNITY BLIGHT CAUSED BY GROWING NUMBER OF FORECLOSURES
Legislation backed by State Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester), House Chair of the Legislature’s Banks Committee, aimed at reducing neighborhood blight caused by the growing number of property foreclosures was approved by the House of Representatives and now moves on to the Governor to be signed into law. READ MORE

May 26, 2009
LEGISLATION COMBATING FINANCIAL SCAMS
AGAINST SENIORS PASSES HOUSE
State Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester), House Chair of the Legislature’s Banks Committee, announced that legislation aimed at protecting senior citizens from financial scams was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives. READ MORE

May 7, 2009
REP. BARRY’S BILL RESTRICTING CREDIT CARD
SOLICITATIONS ON CAMPUSES PASSES HOUSE
Legislation introduced by State Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester), House Chair of the Legislature’s Banks Committee, that restricts how credit card companies can solicit students on Connecticut’s public college campuses was approved by the House of Representatives. READ MORE

Rep. Barry speaks with WTIC radio May 8 on restricting marketing of credit cards on college campuses.

April 8, 2009
HOUSE APPROVES BANKS COMMITTEE BILL PROHIBITING DORMANCY FEES ON CERTAIN CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS
State Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester), House Chairman of the Legislature’s Banks Committee, said legislation passed by the House of Representatives will prohibit banks and other financial institutions from charging customer fees on certain dormant accounts. READ MORE

VIDEO - Connecticut Newsmakers - March 29, 2009
Tom Monahan interviews Rep. Ryan Barry and Sen. Bob Duff following the AIG hearing.

March 27, 2009
STATEMENT FROM BANKS COMMITTEE CHAIRS
ON KEY FINDINGS FROM AIG INVESTIGATIVE HEARING
State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester), co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Banks Committee, today issued the following statement regarding several key findings from yesterday’s investigative hearing and the committee’s next steps:
READ MORE

March 26, 2009
Opening Statement of Banks Committee House Chairman Rep. Ryan Barry at the start of the committee’s March 26 investigative hearing on AIG bonus and compensation policies.
“The Banks Committee is conducting this hearing regarding the bonus and compensation practices of AIG Financial Products – a Connecticut based corporation. READ MORE

March 20, 2009
BANKS COMMITTEE CHAIRS, ATTORNEY GENERAL
ISSUE SUBPOENAS FOR A.I.G. EMPLOYEES
State Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester), co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Banks Committee, with Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today issued subpoenas commanding several A.I.G. employees, including CEO Edward M. Liddy, to appear at a legislative hearing on Thursday, March 26.
READ MORE

Banks Committee House Chair State Rep. Ryan Barry, D-Manchester, center  is joined by state Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, left, and state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, right,  at a press conference on subpoenas served to American International Group Inc. concerning bonuses paid to employees. (Associated Press Photo)

March 13, 2009
BANKS COMMITTEE LOOKS TO AVERT ANOTHER MADOFF
State Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester) and Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Banks Committee, said legislation approved by their committee can help to prevent another Madoff-style investment scandal in the future. READ MORE

March 10, 2009
BANKS COMMITTEE CALLS FOR MANDATORY MEDIATION IN FORECLOSURE CASES
State Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester), House Chair of the Legislature’s Banks Committee, reported a bill out of his committee that will require mediation between lenders and defendant borrowers in home foreclosure court cases. READ MORE

Interview with Ray Dunaway from WTIC News Talk 1080 about foreclosures.

February 11, 2009
REP. BARRY TO HOST MANCHESTER COMMUNITY MEETING ON STATE BUDGET
State Representative Ryan Barry, who represents Manchester in the Connecticut General Assembly, is inviting residents to join him at a community meeting Wednesday February 18 beginning at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the status of the state budget. READ MORE

January 28, 2009
REP. BARRY & ATTORNEY GENERAL SEEK PROTECTIONS AGAINST PREDATORY TAX REFUND ANTICIPATION LOANS
State Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester), House Chairman of the Legislature’s Banks Committee, and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal have called for federal legislation to protect consumers from abusive tax refund anticipation loans (RALs). READ MORE

Interview with Colin McEnroe from WTIC News Talk 1080 about subprime loans.

Interview with Ray and Diane from WTIC News Talk 1080 about tuition costs.

Legislative reports

2008 Legislative Update

2007 Legislative Update

2007 Session Update

2007 Session Initiatives