Budget Chairs Announced

November 10, 2020

House Speaker-designate Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas (D-East Hartford) announced the House chairs of the Appropriations Committee and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee and the chair of the General Bonding Subcommittee of Finance, Revenue and Bonding. Speaker-designate Ritter called the committee assignments - Appropriations, Finance and General Bonding - the three pillars that support the state’s fiscal foundation.

 

Appropriations Chair Toni Walker 

Speaker-designate Ritter and Majority Leader Rojas asked longtime committee leader Toni Walker to continue serving the state as House Chair of the Appropriations Committee. 

“Toni’s experience and expertise have made her the driving force behind House Democrats’ fiscally responsible state budgets,” Speaker-designate Ritter said. “Toni is a powerhouse in the State Capitol and has an incredible working relationship with the governor’s budget team, the State Senate and her Republican colleagues.”

Majority Leader Rojas said, “I had the privilege of working closely with Rep. Walker on the last two budgets and there is no fiercer advocate for ensuring that the budget reflects the values and priorities of Connecticut taxpayers. She best understands the constraints and opportunities that exist on the appropriations side of budget.”

Rep. Walker said, “I’m honored Speaker Ritter and Majority Leader Rojas have put their faith in me during a historic public health and economic crisis. Over the past decade, I have worked hard to make the Appropriations Committee open to all ideas - Democratic and Republican. Good ideas and solid fiscal policy will guide us through the COVID economy.”

Rep. Walker is an educator in New Haven. In addition to being the longtime chair of Appropriations, Rep. Walker is the acknowledged policy leader in juvenile justice reform. 

Finance Chair Sean Scanlon

The House leaders appointed Rep. Sean Scanlon (D-Guilford) the House Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. Rep. Scanlon has previously served as House chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee.

Speaker-designate Ritter said, “Sean sees through complex issues and comes up with innovative solutions - I witnessed him do it over-and-over again with critical health care reforms on the Insurance Committee. He is an incredible leader and I am thrilled to have him on my team as House Chair of the Finance Committee.”

Majority Leader Rojas said, “As the immediate past chair of the Finance Committee, I can tell you that Rep. Scanlon is going to transition smoothly into this new role at a critical time in our state's history. He has the intellectual firepower and understanding of what our state needs in terms of tax policy to help move our economy forward.”

"I am deeply honored to be named chairman of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee and I'm grateful to Speaker Ritter and Majority Leader Rojas for entrusting me with this great responsibility," said Scanlon. "Connecticut certainly faces challenges when it comes to our finances but I'm truly excited to be given the opportunity to address those challenges, craft our state budget and most importantly help grow Connecticut's economy."

Rep. Scanlon represents Guilford and portions of Branford in the state House. He has spent the last four years as House chairman of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee where he wrote and passed several key reform laws including: banning discrimination for those with pre-existing conditions, creating insurance parity for mental health equal to physical health, and capping the cost of insulin at $25. 

Bonding Subcommittee Chair Patricia Billie Miller

Speaker-designate Ritter and Majority Leader Rojas reappointed Rep. Patricia Billie Miller (D-Stamford) as House Chair of the General Bonding Subcommittee of Finance, Revenue and Bonding.

“Pat has the experience and knowledge to ensure the state is responsible with its credit card,” Speaker-designate Ritter said. “Bonding is a key element in our fiscal picture - especially with interest rates at historic lows - Connecticut can invest in capital projects that create jobs and spur growth.”

Majority Leader Rojas said, “Rep. Miller has been an incredible leader on state bonding. She understands the importance of maintaining our capital infrastructure and digs deep into the many requests she receives to best determine what has to be a priority now and what may need to wait. Her expertise is unmatched.”

“I would like to thank Speaker Ritter for reappointing me as House General Obligation Bonds Chair for a third term,” said Rep. Miller. “The coronavirus has impacted housing, jobs, the economy, education and much more. I look forward to carefully using bonding dollars to help Connecticut residents in these areas while at the same time spurring economic growth."

Rep. Miller, a Stamford native, was first elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in 2008 to represent Stamford’s 145th Assembly District. She has previously served as a Deputy Speaker of the House.