Honoring Our Relationships
State Legislators honored for their commitment to municipalities
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CM is all about fostering relationships, working together, between our member towns and cities, as well as with state and federal leaders. These strong working relationships help us discuss difficult issues amicably, reach agreements that might have seemed impossible, and achieve results for Connecticut’s residents. Four Connecticut state legislators -- Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, State Representative Holly Cheeseman, State Senator Cathy Osten and State Senator Paul Cicarella -- were honored as our 2022 Legislative Champions of the Year, recognizing those individuals
Speaker of the House Matt Ritter Ritter serves the 1st General Assembly District covering the City of Hartford. Elected Speaker of the House last session at 38 years of age, the youngest in Connecticut’s modern history, he led the fight on all issues championed by Democrat legislators last session, and in particular led the passage of a law eliminating the “poverty tax,” state liens on people who have in the past depended on state assistance; and championed a historic investment in children’s mental health. Ritter previously served four years as House Majority Leader and two years as the Co-Chair of the Public Health Committee where he worked to address the opioid crisis, increase hospital fee transparency, and require that more health services be covered by the private insurance market. 6 | CONNECTICUT TOWN & CITY | DECEMBER 2022
Prior to being elected to the General Assembly, Ritter served on the Hartford City Council for three years where he chaired the Planning & Economic Development and Legislative Affairs committees.
State Representative Holly Cheeseman Cheeseman represents the 37th General Assembly District covering the towns of East Lyme and Salem. She serves on the General Assembly’s Energy & Technology and General Law committees and as Ranking Member Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee.