Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus

The Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus is a group of Connecticut legislators espousing a conservative political agenda.

Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus
Chairman	Mike France
Vice Chairman	Craig C. Fishbein
Secretary	Anne Dauphinais
Treasurer	David T. Wilson
Founded	2017; 7 years ago (2017)
Ideology	Limited Government Economic Freedom Individual liberty
Seats in the Legislature	12 / 185
Politics of the United States Political parties Elections

Membership of CT General Assembly Conservative Caucus, January 2019

Members

The members of the Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus are:

• Mike France, Chairman (R-42), who serves as the Ranking Member on the Government Administration & Elections Committee, and also serves on the Appropriations, and Planning & Development Committee(s).^[1]
• Craig C. Fishbein, Vice Chairman (R-90), who serves on the Judiciary, Labor & Public Sector Employees, and Public Safety Committee(s).^{[2][3][4][5][6]}
• Anne Dauphinais, Secretary (R-44), who serves as the Ranking Member on the Housing Committee, and also serves on the Appropriations, and the Public Safety Committee(s).^[7]
• David T. Wilson, Treasurer (R-66), who serves as the Ranking Member on the Aging Committee, and also serves on the Appropriations, and the Environment Committee(s).^[8]
• Tim Ackert (R-8), who serves on the Energy, General Law, Higher Education, and Screening Committee(s).^[9]
• Vincent Candelora (R-86), who serves as the Chairman of the Screening Committee, and also serves on the Finance, Public Health, General Law, and Legislative Management Committee(s). Candelora is also a Deputy House Leader, and serves as the Chair of the screening committee that is tasked with reviewing all legislation before it is put up for a vote in the House.^[10]
• Doug Dubitsky (R-47), who serves on the Environment, Judiciary, and Planning & Development Committee(s).^[11]
• John P. Fusco (R-81),^[12] who serves on the Aging, Commerce, and Public Safety Committee(s).^{[13] [14]}
• Rick Hayes (R-51), who serves on the Children, Environment, and Public Safety Committee(s).^[15]
• Gale Mastrofrancesco (R-80), who serves on the Appropriations, GAE, Human Services Committee(s).^[16]
• John Piscopo (R-76), who serves on the Environment, Energy & Technology, Finance, Legislative Management and Screening Committee(s).^[17]
• Kurt Vail (R-52), who is the ranking member on the Veterans Committee, and also serves on the Insurance and Public Safety Committee(s).^[18]

Causes

The caucus^[19] has actively advocated against illegal immigration,^[20] the re-installation of tolls on Connecticut roadways,^[21] against the appointment of Andrew J. McDonald to be the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court,^[22][23] as well as for reviving the death penalty.^[24] For the 2019 session, their legislative agenda supports bringing back the state's death penalty, making it optional for workers to pay union dues, re-funding an agency that handles gun crimes, and removing the state's support for the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would switch the election of the US President to a popular vote.^[25]

See also

• Freedom Caucus
• Libertarian Republican
• Libertarian conservatism
• Republican Liberty Caucus
• Tea Party Caucus
• Tea Party movement

References

1. "State Representative Mike France".
2. "Wallingford State Rep. Craig Fishbein elected vice chair of Conservative caucus". Record Journal. December 24, 2018.
3. "Rep. Fishbein Opposes Firearm Permit Fee Increases". cthousegop.com. March 9, 2017.
4. "Timing of State Budget a Concern for Municipal Leaders". Record Journal. May 5, 2017.
5. "Fishbein Votes for Bill Regarding Property Owner Lawsuits". Cheshire Patch. April 13, 2017.
6. "State Representative Craig Fishbein".
7. "About – State Representative Anne Dauphinais".
8. "About – State Representative David Wilson".
9. "About State Representative Tim Ackert".
10. "About – State Representative Vincent Candelora".
11. "State Representative Doug Dubitsky".
12. "XL Center Renovations Not a Priority for Area Legislators". Record Journal. February 15, 2017.
13. "State Representative John Fusco".
14. "Area officials not on board with school consolidation bills". Record Journal. January 30, 2019.
15. "About – State Representative Rick Hayes".
16. "About – State Representative Gale Mastrofrancesco".
17. "About – State Representative John Piscopo".
18. "About – State Representative Kurt Vail".
19. "Local lawmakers champion legislation in Hartford". Southington Observer. February 26, 2017.
20. "Conservative Lawmakers Call on Malloy to Protect Connecticut Citizens: Calls on Officials to Resist Malloy's Defiance on Illegal Immigration". cthousegop.com. February 24, 2017. Archived from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
21. "Connecticut Conservative Caucus Stands Firm Against Tolls and Gas Tax". WSHU Public Radio. February 5, 2018.
22. "Judiciary Committee Throws McDonald's Elevation To Chief Justice Into Question". ctnewsjunkie.com. February 27, 2018.
23. "Tie Vote Gives Unfavorable Recommendation For Chief Justice Nominee Andrew McDonald". Hartford Courant. February 27, 2018.
24. "Lawmakers File Bills to Re-Instate Death Penalty". Hartford Courant. February 16, 2017.
25. "Legislature's Conservative Caucus wants to bring back the Death Penalty". Hartford Courant. January 17, 2019.

External links

• The Connecticut General Assembly
• Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus on Facebook
• Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus on Twitter