State Senator-elect Toni Boucher has been appointed as ranking senator on
the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee.

The appointment was announced Dec. 18 by Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (R-28), who also assigned Ms. Boucher to the Education and Finance committees, and appointed her ranking member on the Select Committee on Children.

When sworn into office in January, Ms. Boucher, a Republican, will serve as the 26th District’s senator.
This district includes Weston.

Ms. Boucher, of Wilton, is completing her 12th year as a state representative for the 143rd House District. She has been a member of the Transportation Committee for the past two years.

In a press release, Ms. Boucher said she is grateful to have been appointed ranking senator on the Transportation Committee at a time when Connecticut is reaffirming its commitment to mass transportation solutions.

“State government’s attitude toward public transportation is finally beginning to change,” said Ms. Boucher. “State agencies and my colleagues in the legislature are beginning to see mass transportation not only as a solution to highway gridlock, but also as an important part of our environmental and public safety policies.”

Ms. Boucher has fought for the past 12 years to protect and improve the Danbury Branch rail line.
She said as ranking member she “will continue to work to modernize commuter rail lines by keeping public policy focused on parking, station enhancements and more frequent, faster rail service.”

Ms. Boucher holds an MBA from UConn Business School, as well as series 7 and series 63 securities licenses. As a member of the Finance Committee, she “will be on the front lines of efforts to balance the state’s growing budget deficit while holding the line on taxes and protecting jobs,” the release said.

“As a former small-business owner and someone who has worked with leading economists during my many years at a financial firm, I understand the pressures and challenges facing people in this economy and I am eager to get to work on the solutions that are going to help Connecticut businesses grow and protect jobs,” Ms. Boucher said.

“The State of Connecticut is fortunate to have Toni Boucher’s experience and tireless work ethic focused on the important issues of transportation, finance, children and education. These are core government functions that have to succeed even in these difficult economic times,” Mr. McKinney said.

“Senator-elect Boucher has earned a reputation as a devoted public servant who gets results.
I’m honored to serve with her in the state Senate.”

The new appointments will take effect when the legislative session convenes Jan. 7.