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A new term comes with new responsibilities for state Rep. John Hetherington, R-125th District, when the new legislative session begins Jan. 5. Hetherington, who represents parts of New Canaan and Wilton, announced he will serves as the ranking member on the Judiciary Committee in his fifth term in the General Assembly.
"I am honored that Rep. [Lawrence] Cafero has placed his faith in me with this appointment. I look forward to this tremendous challenge ahead. I will keep in mind the Republican principle, which asks each one of us, is the legislation good for the citizens of Connecticut?" Hetherington said in a statement.
House GOP leader Cafero, R-Norwalk, said of appointing Hetherington as ranking member of judiciary, "He has an exceptional grasp of the complex issues facing the committee and will bring a steady approach to the legislative committee process."
Hetherington, who lives in New Canaan, served on the Judiciary Committee during his fourth term in the House and said he hopes to improve upon the work it has done on criminal justice reform. The committee oversees all matters relating to the courts, judicial procedures, criminal law, the laws of business organizations, and nominations of the Judicial Branch members and judges.
In addition to his work on the Judiciary Committee, Hetherington will also continue to serve on the Government Administration and Elections Committee, which he was ranking member of during his fourth term, and will join the Public Health Committee. He will no longer be on the Appropriations Committee.
What should be the legislature's first priority in January? Jobs? The budget deficit? Transportation? Education?
