News & Views From The Capitol: Rob Sampson talks about what to expect this year in CT politics

The year ahead…

By: State Sen. Rob Sampson

I hope your 2020 is off to a positive start. It will be an energetic year in politics. The debate on tolls rages on, and of course it is an election year for every member of the state house and senate, not to mention the Presidency. Be prepared to be barraged by political ads and cable news jawboning for 10 months. There are going to be speeches and debates enough to make us all weary of committee chairs for help instead of proposing bills on their own. Since those chairpersons always have the final say anyway, there is little difference on the type of business discussed. In fact, the legislature often proposes and passes even more non-budget related legislation in election years, often with specifically political purposes.

politics.

As you know, members of the state legislature are elected every two years. In odd numbered (non-election) years, the legislature meets from January to June to generate a biennial (two year) budget. In even numbered (election) years, the legislature convenes for the short session –from February to May.

In the short session, individual legislators are instructed to limit their bill requests to budgetary questions alone. The idea is to make necessary changes to keep the previous year’s budget in check. All other bill proposals must be submitted as “committee” bills. In practice, this means that legislators must send letters to Assuming nothing significant changes between my writing this column and its publication, the Democrats efforts to install highway tolls will remain stalled. The governor and the Democrats have totally misplayed their hand on this issue, and as a result, I remain hopeful that it won’t come up for a vote before the fall election. Make no mistake, the state is taking in more than enough money to fix our roads and bridges. State government spending has increased nearly 50% just in the last ten years alone. The problem is a matter of priorities.

opponents and rig the game to benefit their next re-election. This is not only a symptom that our government has become too expansive but a giant flashing neon warning that we need real change if we are going to get back on track.

As always, I will continue to draw attention both to good and bad public policy and to encourage a responsible path forward. I have become much more proactive over the years, using my energy to teach and hopefully guide our state back to our roots of freedom and opportunity, and mutual respect, particularly when our opinions differ.

I chose to be a Republican because of the focus on the rights of individuals. That requires maximum freedom and restraint on government. Seeing more and more laws designed to affect social change, or choose winners and losers, is frustrating. Instead we should be working to restore a sense of civic virtue based around tolerance and personal responsibility.

I have several town hall meetings scheduled for the next month. Please consider joining me or following me online at www.senatorsampson.com.

In 2018, Rob Sampson was elected by the people of the 16 th

state Senate District to succeed his friend Joe Markley. He served as the state Representative for the 80 th

District

(Wolcott and parts of Southington) from 2013 to 2018. While in the House, Rob founded the Connecticut General Assembly’s Conservative Caucus, and served as its first Chairman.

In 2013, Rob was appointed to the legislature’s bipartisan task for on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety formed in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. Sampson was promoted to Republican Ranking Member of the Insurance & Real Estate Committee for the 2012 session of the General Assembly, the first and only of the 17 freshman state representatives trusted with such responsibility.

Sampson has proven himself as a leader for several causes, challenging the Malloy administration’s budgets and policies including the early release of violent felons, the forced unionization of child care providers and personal care attendants, and the New Britain to Hartford Busway. He is known as CT’s leading opponent of Obamacare and the leading voice in state government for protecting our second amendment freedoms. He has recently gained remarkable recognition for his expertise in debating Constitutional principles.

Sampson is unwavering in his defense of conservative ideals. Dedicated to creating a brighter future based on America’s founding principles, Rob’s been a registered Republican since voting for his first time at age 18 in 1988.

Sampson believes in limited government, personal responsibility and the need for absolute fiscal accountability in government.

An avid supporter of the Rights of the Individual and the Constitution, including the 2nd amendment, Rob is a member of the NRA, a gun owner, and is active in the sport. He became widely recognized throughout our state and beyond in 2013 for his unyielding defense of Constitutional principles and law abiding gun owners. He received the Legislator of the Year award in 2012 from the Connecticut Citizens Defense League and received the NRA Defender of Freedom award in 2014.