Senator Boucher Receives 2013 Legislative Committee Assignments

State Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) received four major committee assignments for the 2013 legislative session and will be sworn in for a third term at the State Capitol on Wednesday, January 9th.

This week, senate minority leadership announced that Senator Boucher will serve as a leader and the ranking member of the Transportation, Higher Education and Education committees. She will also serve as a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

As a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, Senator Boucher said, “With next year’s budget deficit already projected to hit $1 billion, legislators have some serious work to do with the development of the next two-year budget, and I look forward to playing a positive role in resolving our state’s fiscal challenges in a bipartisan and responsible manner. This committee sets tax rates and I believe that Connecticut’s tax policy plays a key role in the state’s economic health and in job creation.”

Senator Boucher relies upon her extensive experience in the business world, holding a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Connecticut School of Business as well as Series 7 and Series 63 licenses. She is also the founder and former owner of a small businesses and a former corporate manager for two Fortune 50 firms.

On the Transportation Committee, Senator Boucher will continue to advance legislation focused on the rights of commuters, modernization and expansion of commuter rail lines, improved parking resources, and keeping the state from diverting much needed transportation funds from the transportation budget account.

As a member of the Education Committee and Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, Senator Boucher has been an outspoken advocate for education quality, most recently helping to pass major education improvement legislation and playing an oversight role in the reversal of a series of improper raises at the Board of Regents of Higher Education.

“Last session, we passed bipartisan reform legislation that aims to improve the quality of education that our children must have to complete with their peers throughout the country and the world,” said Senator Boucher. “We have much more work to do to close our persistent and troubling achievement gap. Building upon last year’s reforms and using our best school systems as models, I am confident that both parties will come together once more to continue this important work.”

Prior to serving in the legislature, Senator Boucher chaired her local board of education and also served on the Connecticut State Board of Education. Last year, Senator Boucher was also recognized as a “Children’s Champion” by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance for ushering legislation aimed at improving outcomes for young children, taking special interest in the issues facing educators and  parents of young students and engaging advocates on early childhood legislation centering on health, nutrition and safety.