Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus Explained

Connecticut General Assembly Conservative Caucus
Colorcode:	black
Ideology:	Limited Government Economic Freedom Individual liberty
Country:	the United States
Leader1 Title:	Chairman
Leader1 Name:	Mike France
Leader2 Title:	Vice Chairman
Leader2 Name:	Craig C. Fishbein
Leader3 Title:	Secretary
Leader3 Name:	Anne Dauphinais
Leader4 Title:	Treasurer
Seats2 Title:	Seats in the Legislature

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

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

External links

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: State Representative Mike France.
2. Web site: Wallingford State Rep. Craig Fishbein elected vice chair of Conservative caucus . Record Journal . December 24, 2018.
3. Web site: Rep. Fishbein Opposes Firearm Permit Fee Increases . cthousegop.com . March 9, 2017.
4. Web site: Timing of State Budget a Concern for Municipal Leaders . Record Journal . May 5, 2017.
5. Web site: Fishbein Votes for Bill Regarding Property Owner Lawsuits . Cheshire Patch . April 13, 2017.
6. Web site: State Representative Craig Fishbein.
7. Web site: About – State Representative Anne Dauphinais.
8. Web site: About – State Representative David Wilson.
9. Web site: About State Representative Tim Ackert.
10. Web site: About – State Representative Vincent Candelora.
11. Web site: State Representative Doug Dubitsky.
12. Web site: XL Center Renovations Not a Priority for Area Legislators . Record Journal . February 15, 2017.
13. Web site: State Representative John Fusco.
14. Web site: Area officials not on board with school consolidation bills . Record Journal . January 30, 2019.
15. Web site: About – State Representative Rick Hayes.
16. Web site: About – State Representative Gale Mastrofrancesco.
17. Web site: About – State Representative John Piscopo.
18. Web site: About – State Representative Kurt Vail.
19. Web site: Local lawmakers champion legislation in Hartford . Southington Observer . February 26, 2017.
20. Web site: 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. March 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170518223905/http://www.cthousegop.com/sampson/2017/02/24/conservative-lawmakers-call-malloy-protect-connecticut-citizens-calls-legislators-resist-malloys-defiance-illegal-immigration/. May 18, 2017. dead.
21. Web site: Connecticut Conservative Caucus Stands Firm Against Tolls and Gas Tax . WSHU Public Radio . February 5, 2018.
22. Web site: Judiciary Committee Throws McDonald's Elevation To Chief Justice Into Question . ctnewsjunkie.com . February 27, 2018.
23. Web site: Tie Vote Gives Unfavorable Recommendation For Chief Justice Nominee Andrew McDonald . Hartford Courant . February 27, 2018.
24. Web site: Lawmakers File Bills to Re-Instate Death Penalty . Hartford Courant . February 16, 2017.
25. Web site: Legislature's Conservative Caucus wants to bring back the Death Penalty . Hartford Courant . January 17, 2019.