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Two state lawmakers have requested that the Connecticut General Assembly’s Transportation Committee hold a follow-up hearing on the Connecticut Port Authority that would include testimony from past employees and board members who were not present at the August 20 hearing.
State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and state Representative Christine Conley (D-Groton) sent their request to Transportation Committee Co-Chairs Sen. Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) and Rep. Roland Lemar (D-New Haven) on Friday.
“We now respectfully request that the Transportation Committee hold a second informational hearing and invite past and current board chairs and employees of the Port Authority to offer their opinions on what went wrong at the Port Authority and what we as legislators can do to correct or prevent such occurrences in the future,” Osten and Conley wrote.
In a separate statement, Conley noted that the committee had not yet received materials requested at the August 20 hearing.
“At the first hearing legislators requested a variety of documents pertaining to Port Authority policies and finances, and we haven’t seen those yet. So a second hearing would be a good opportunity to follow-up with past and current employees and get some information on those documents as well answer any new questions we may have,” said Conley.
Osten asked that the follow-up hearing take place prior to completion of the on-going state audit of the authority’s finances.
“I think a second hearing with these invited guests would be very helpful while we await the next Port Authority report from the state auditors, which should be done next month,” said Osten.
Osten and Conley said gathering as much information as possible was “critically important” for guiding future decisions about the port authority.
The Connecticut Port Authority will hold a public information session on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 35 Governor Winthrop Blvd, New London, CT