Senate votes to extend Lamont’s powers to Feb. 15

The Senate in a special session Tuesday approved a sixth extension of Gov. Ned Lamont’s pandemicrelated powers, following a debate largely waged by Republicans who argued the governor has enjoyed sweeping authority for nearly two years, leaving citizens without a voice.

“That’s a full legislative term for an elected member of the state’s General Assembly,” Senate Republican leader Kevin Kelly said. “A full term where the people’s voice was silenced.”

The 18-15 vote showed continued partisan divide over how to handle this phase of the pandemic in Connecticut. Two Democrats — Sens. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, and Dennis Bradley, D-Bridgeport — joined all 13 Republicans in