State Representative Richard Roy was recently
elected to his eighth term serving the 119th assembly
district of Milford. Roy is a member of the
Appropriations and Executive and Legislative
Nominations Committees, and Chairman of the
Environment Committee.
Roy explained that one of the biggest priorities for
the Environment Committee this year – and for the
world - is global warming. A number of different bills
will be introduced to focus on different aspects of
this growing problem. “Every little thing we can do to
cut emissions and other components should be done,”
Roy said.
Clean water is another big issue for the committee.
Roy said he can remember swimming in the Long
Island Sound when he was in college and still being
able to see down to his feet when he was up to his
neck in water. Roy continued that after recovering
from a period of heavy pollution, one can now see
their feet again, but there is still a long way to go.
New Haven is the third largest port in New England
and the increase in boating puts a strain on the
sound. Further, an increase in population means
many water treatment plants can no longer handle
the load and new plants are needed. Ground water
contamination is also a problem. The committee
hopes to shed light on this issue and provide possible
remedies, even simple things such as using vinegar to
kill weeds rather than toxic pesticides.
Aside from the Environment Committee, Roy is also
sponsoring a bill to prevent a public official from
collecting retirement if he or she is found guilty of
committing fraud, corruption, or a felony. Roy stated
that it is unfair that hardworking, everyday people
struggle while their tax money lets someone else live
the high life. “[This bill will] protect taxpayer
resources,” Roy said.
Overall, Roy believes the legislature will work well
together, although some may try to take advantage
of the numbers game. Roy mentioned that he was
glad that Speaker of the House Jim Amann told the
press that of course he wanted as many people on
his side as possible, but that the majority should still
be very careful.
Roy elaborated that having a
majority doesn’t mean that the Dems can just run
over the opposition. He believes that many people
supported the Dems because the opposition to
Republicans at the national level trickled down, not
because voters just love the Dems. He continued
that if the Dems do the same thing the Republicans
did at the national level, they’ll be booted out too
and deservedly so.
Roy summarized that not all Dems are the best people
and not all Republicans are the worst people – there
are good people and good ideas on both sides of the
aisle. This is welcoming insight.
Roy
