Rebimbas Takes Oath in Rell’s Office

HARTFORD — State Rep. Rosa Rebimbas, R-Naugatuck, was sworn into office today by Connecticut Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz during a ceremony in Governor M. Jodi Rell’s office. Rebimbas, who won the seat in a special election held on Monday, March 2, said she is ready to begin serving her constituents.

“I will hit the ground running and put the same effort into serving Naugatuck as I did campaigning,” said Rep. Rebimbas. “I continue to be honored and humbled by this responsibility and will work hard to respect the confidence voters have shown me.

She has been appointed by House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr, R-Norwalk, to serve on the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, which has cognizance of all matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies. Other issues under the committee’s jurisdiction include matters relating to state employees’ salaries, benefits and retirement, teachers’ retirement and veterans’ pensions and collective bargaining agreements and arbitration awards for all state employees.

“Our state is facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis, serving on the Appropriations Committee will be a challenge and one that I welcome wholeheartedly,” said Rep. Rebimbas. “One thing I heard clearly while campaigning is that families are hurting and are forced to make do with less and they expect government to do the same.”

Rep. Rebimbas will also serve on the Energy and Technology Committee, which has cognizance over all matters relating to the Department of Public Utility Control and energy planning and activities. Finally, she will serve on the Public Safety and Security Committee, which has cognizance of all matters relating to homeland security, the Department of Public Safety, including state police, state organized task force on crime, municipal police training, fire marshals, the fire safety code and the state building code, civil preparedness and legalized gambling, and military and veterans’ affairs, except veterans’ pensions.

“We pay some of the highest energy rates in the nation in Connecticut,” said Rep. Rebimbas. “In serving on the Energy and Technology Committee, I look forward to working to turn this situation around to help bring sources of alternative and renewable energy to the state.”

“I believe one of the Legislature’s primary responsibilities is guaranteeing public safety,” added Rep. Rebimbas. “We must ensure that all first responders have the tools and support necessary to do their jobs.”