Boughton clears hurdle in commissioner quest

“I think it’s important that people, when they come to DRS, they’re not looking at a Republican, they’re not looking at a Democrat, they’re looking at somebody that can handle the problem in a fair manner and not have to worry about politics.”

Mark Boughton

DANBURY— Danbury’s longserving former mayor, Mark Boughton, was approved Tuesday to serve as commissioner of the Department of Revenue Services by the state’s vetting committee, in a key step before final approval.

Boughton is the sole nominee for the position, and was tapped for the position by Gov. Ned Lamont last month.

If approved by the Connecticut House of Representatives, Boughton will serve as the next state tax commissioner.

Boughton, a Republican, was an across-the-aisle pick for the Democratic governor, and several members of the General Assembly’s Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee expressed approval at Lamont’s decision to make this bipartisan selection.

Boughton previously served 10 consecutive terms as Danbury’s mayor, from 2001 to 2020, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history.

Despite his long tenure, Boughton said he was committed to leaving local politics behind in his new role.

“I think it’s important that people, when they come to DRS, they’re not looking at a Republican, they’re not looking at a Democrat, they’re looking at somebody that can handle the problem in a fair manner and not have to worry about politics,” he said.

In Boughton’s opening remarks, which were live-streamed via a Zoom link,he thanked the governor for the nomination and emphasized his commitment to the new role as well as his desire to help the state navigate difficult tax policy during the pandemic.

“I would be remiss in not acknowledging the challenging times we are in, and the rough edges of cynicism towards government authority that can be fueled by isolation, economic uncertainty and extreme hardship,” Boughton said. “I am, however, eternally optimistic that by all of us pulling in the same direction, we can together contribute to better days for our state and our nation.”

Boughton also emphasized his committment to continued communication between Connecticut residents, other legislators and himself. “I’ll listen a lot, empower problem solving and support a work environment that values inclusion and different perspectives,” he said.

The committee questioned Boughton on issues ranging from tax outreach and enforcement efforts, to dealing with the pandemic economy, to the influx of new residents from New York, and Boughton’s plans for disentangling himself from his local politics and commitments in Danbury.

Many of the legislators also thanked Boughton for his years of public service and congratulated the former mayor on his nomination.

“I think it’s an important thing to have a seasoned and experienced government manager in charge of DRS,” said Seante Majority Leader Martin Looney.

State Rep. Edwin Vargas of Hartford questioned Boughton on his record with the Latino population, asking about his plans to ensure inclusivity for Vargas’ constituents. In response, Boughton reiterated his commitment to inclusivity and better outreach within the state’s immigrant communities.

Aside from a short interruption when Boughton’s video dropped out completely, the hearing resolved seamlessly.

Afterwards, Boughton said that he was pleased with the hearing’s outcome and appreciated the positive comments and bipartisan cooperation. “The most important thing is, coming out of COVID, we have to all work together.”