Christopher Rosario

Chair of the Black & Puerto Rican Caucus, State Representative Christopher Rosario (D-Bridgeport) and co-chair, State Representative Brandon McGee (D-Windsor/Hartford) issued the following joint statement regarding the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):

I was honored to lead the members of the legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus (BPRC), along with our vice chair, Rep. Brandon McGee (D-Hartford/Windsor), and several community activists, clergy members, and state and local officials, at a Peace & Unity Rally speaking against hateful and bigoted speech that has become more and more concerning during the last few weeks.

The Bridgeport legislative delegation praised Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's signing of legislation that will give the city and its taxpayers some relief needed to help steady Bridgeport's financial footing.

Despite the fiscal challenges of the 2017 legislative session, the Bridgeport delegation passed key bills that will steady the city’s financial footing, increase economic development, reduce Bridgeport’s unfunded pension liability and create an entertainment hub downtown. These pieces of legislation will not only take Bridgeport decades into the future, but it will also allow the city to become a regional job creator and leader in renewable energy. Even in this tough economic climate, I am pleased that as a legislative delegation we came together to deliver for Bridgeport!

I would like to thank my colleagues in the Senate for supporting the passage of this legislation that will help to generate much-needed revenue to Bridgeport and the state. I look forward to the governor’s signing the bill into law and for our great city to take full advantage of this opportunity.

Legislation that will pave the way for Bridgeport to become a national model for the reuse of waste heat passed out of the House of Representatives Tuesday in a 100-51 vote. House Bill 6304 seeks to establish a pilot program in Bridgeport to test-drive thermal district heating technology.

After recent high-profile incidents in Connecticut, I joined my colleagues in support of House Bill 6663, which aims to establish meaningful accountability for police officers who use excessive force.

I am pleased the house passed a bill that will allow cities and towns, including Bridgeport, to tap into a $9 million reserve of state funding to purchase body cameras and dashboard cameras for police cruisers. House Bill 7308 would establish a task force to review the use of police body cameras and expands access to funding for its purchase.