Senator Freedman
announces retirement - passes the "torch" to Rep. Toni Boucher of
Wilton (above, first row, right)
Senator
Freedman takes time in a busy day to listen to her constituents - and
hear about world affairs ("From Europe to Eurabia"). And on
another occasion, at the Capitol, greets UCONN QB and gets some plays
to run for Senate Republicans - 2-1 disadvantage for our team.
Senator
Judith G. Freedman
GOP leaders talk goals, power of
women's vote
By AMANDA PINTO, Hour Staff Writer
June 12, 2007
NORWALK — U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, and several state
legislators gathered before the Connecticut Federation of Republican
Women Sunday to discuss female voting power and the issues Republicans
hope women will support.
"Republican women are the backbone of our party and can change the way
we think," State Rep. Lawrence Cafero, R-142, House minority leader,
told about 30 people at the biannual meeting.
The Federation — which met at the Norwalk Inn — assembled to conduct
business as well as to hear Republican leaders speak about party goals.
In addition to Shays and Cafero, State Sen. Judith Freedman, R-26, and
State Rep. Livvy Floren, R-149, were on-hand as Republican leaders
discussed their frustration at the hands of a Democratic supermajority.
"When we ended at midnight Wednesday, half of the important legislation
out there died," said Freedman, the Senate's deputy minority leader.
Freedman also said Democrats have tailored legislation to benefit
labor, sometimes at the expense of business.
"They are farther than left, they are really thinking in terms of
socialists in the way this state should be run," she said.
Several leaders discussed the need for support of the Republican budget
before an approving crowd.
"We do support the Republican budget for this year, as there are no tax
increases and it provides money for social security, education and
other things," Event Chairman Ann Artell said in an interview.
Freedman also discussed the GOP's "unfinished business" in Hartford –
energy, eminent domain, and health care bills that Republicans hope
will become law.
Federation President Barbara McInerney said she hoped the speakers
would help mobilize voters for Republican causes and candidates.
"Women are the largest voting bloc in this country and are also
becoming a strong viable economic base in this country," she said.
Freedman implored members to not only vote, but to also consider
running for positions in government.
"We need more women in Hartford," she said. "I have to tell you it's
very lonely being the only woman in the Republican center."
Link
to
Legislative Page - a great source of up-to-date information on bills here;
Link to Senator
Freedman's activities with the Fairfield County Caucus
here.
ONE
OF THE REPUBLICAN GOALS FOR THIS 2007 "LONG" SESSION:
Senators McKinney and Freedman make news in late December with a
call for using 10% of the surplus to purchase open space
stae-wide! As
we all learned from "forever ours or forever gone" campaign during
Troutbrook Valley campaign - and in the Kelda lands fight a few years
later!
Proposed S. B. No. 272 SEN.
FREEDMAN, 26th DIST. 'AN
ACT CONCERNING THE MERRITT PARKWAY ADVISORY COMMISSION', to
restructure
the Merritt Parkway Advisory Commission to be more representative of
the individuals and communities residing along the Merritt Parkway
route, and ensure that one member is a member of the Merritt Parkway
Conservancy.
Proposed S.B.
No. 927 SEN.
FREEDMAN, 26th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING POLITICAL SOLICITATION CALLS', to place
certain restrictions on political campaign calls.
Proposed
S.B.
No. 964 SEN.
FREEDMAN, 26th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING CLEAR CUTTING AND THE INLAND
WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES ACT', to revise
the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act to address clear cutting so it
is specified as a regulated activity, especially when it involves a
significant acreage of clearing.
CAMPAIGN 2006 ENDS
IN VICTORY!
"Working for you, your
family and the 26th District..."
RE-ELECTED!!!
To contact
Senator Freedman at home: by telephone (203) 226-8710 or on-line:
JFCT3@aol.com
Weston's New Senior Activities Center
at Hurlbutt South House...
It was a rainy day in Weston for the opening of the Senior Activities
Center. That did not keep away the crowds!!! Peter's Market
donated quite a spread! The Reverand
Bernard Wilson of Norfield Church opened the ceremonies; Chair.
of the Board of Education Ellen Uzenoff (substituting for
Superintendent of Schools- who really wanted to be at this ceremony,
but family responsibilities came first) and First Selectman Woody Bliss
open the program.
The
present Chair.
of the Commission for the Elderly tells the story of how this all came
to pass...and Senator Freedman speaks of just how impressive this
project has been!!! NOTE: Senator Freedman had previously
taught school at Hurlbutt - two door down from this very place!!!
How satisfying must it be...Senator Freedman thinks about then and
now...former Chair. of the Commission for the Elderly (middle picture)
must be remembering the
days when the Senior Luncheons in Weston each Wednesday became more
than just lunch back then - a great improvement at the time!
Weston Gun Club representative (a major donor to this facility)
recording the event
for posterity (r.)!
Everyone's in on it! Attorney General Richard Blumenthal joins
Woody, Senator Freedman and Jen Ruddy (Director of the Senior Center)
in cutting the BLUE (???) RIBBON.
Your schools...
In
September 2005 Weston Intermediate School opened on time and on
budget: Senator Freedman helps cut this ribbon, too!
Senator Freedman stands with retiring Assistant Superintendent Richard
Miller at the ceremony.
WHAT WAS DONE THIS SESSION (2006):
2006 LEGISLATURE DOESN'T FIND
TIME...SPENDS HOURS ON SODA POP INSTEAD!
DID
CONNECTICUT CURTAIL EMINENT
DOMAIN POWERS OF REDEVELOPMENT AGENCIES? Answer:
No, they just didn't get around to it
At Weston Library Saturday, June
25, 2005 - Senator Freedman attended "Village of the Dammed" reading,
and
indicated that the Legislature's Republicans had a bill that did not
get
out of Committee (became a "Committee Bill") because majority wanted to
wait for Supreme Court's decision in Kelo v. City of New London.
Will be reintroduced next Session (in February). Did you
expect this to be a
hot issue!
2006 LEGISLATURE HAD
SPECIAL HEARINGS AFTER THE END OF THE SESSION ON...
LOOKING FOR ETHICS
VIOLATIONS EVERYWHERE GOVERNOR RELL HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS -
RESULT?
Senator Freedman accurately called it what is was - a witch hunt - but
the Co-Chair. of G.A.E. objected to what he claimed was a personal
attack...personal attack? So what did he call his own hearing?
AN ACT CONCERNING
REMISSION TO MUNICIPALITIES OF A SURCHARGE FOR CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLE
VIOLATIONS.
To remit fines paid for
certain motor vehicle violations to municipalities in which the
violations took place.
Senator Freedman first to call for this
measure! Idea first heard at the SWRPA-MPO Legislative Meeting in
February!!! Bill passes both Senate and House - to give
municipalities extra revenue!!! Legislators had asked MPO if they
knew the imacts (positive and negative)...they did their homework and
Senator Freedman guided this to victory for the MPO!
Vote for SB-537 Roll Call Number 274, Taken on 05/02 (had passed the
Senate unanimously)
The Speaker ordered the vote be taken by roll call at 9:57 p.m.
The following is the result of the vote:
Total Number Voting 148
Necessary for Passage 75
Those voting Yea 116
Those voting Nay 32