Fasano OK’d for part-time legislative post
Len Fasano of North Haven, the former Senate minority leader and 18-year veteran of the General Assembly, was approved by a key legislative committee on Monday to become one of two part-time commissioners in the nonpartisan law-writing office.
Members of the Executive & Legislative Nominations Committee praised Fasano as a fair, collegial, policy-driven lawmaker, before they approved his nomination for the full General Assembly to consider and ratify. Fasano, with a law office in New Haven, would be paid about $52,000 a year and serve as Republican legislative commissioner, to Democrat Ed Maley.
Fasano would replace William Hamzy, a former state representative and GOP state leader from Plymouth, who is leaving to become a probate judge.
“I’ve got to admit it, I miss the building a lot,” Fasano told the 17-member committee. “So having the opportunity to get back into the building is a little bit thrilling to me. It’s been such a large part of my life.”
“I think we are very fortunate to have him coming back in this capacity,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney.
“I know that you have always strived to be fair and to work with folks, get things passed and to have the best interest of the state of Connecticut,” added Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, co-chairman of the committee. “We know how much you loved it and how much you enjoyed your role and the passion you have for policy in the state of Connecticut and public service.”
Both legislative commissioners serve under an office director, and help administer about 20 lawyers and a dozen support staff in drafting proposed laws and amendments to legislation, as well as resolutions. Fasano’s nomination heads to the Senate and the House.
The Legislative Commissioner’s Office makes sure that bills are constitutional, written properly, and not repetitive of other laws.
The office is in the process of digitizing itself to catch up with technology.