February 3, 2010

REPS. RYAN & RITTER NAMED TO COMMISSION TASKED
WITH FINDING MUNICIPAL COST SAVINGS AND EFFICIENCIES

State Representative Kevin Ryan, the House Chair of the state legislature's Labor Committee, and State Representative Betsy Ritter (D-Waterford), the House Chair of the legislature's Public Health Committee, were appointed to serve as members the Commission on Municipal Opportunities and Regional Efficiencies (MORE).

"We can definitely do more with a little less," said Rep. Ryan. "Many of our towns could save money by joining with other towns to provide benefits to municipal employees. Regionalizing is a way to provide our towns and local taxpayers a much-needed financial boost during these difficult economic times without devastating Connecticut's working families."

"I am honored to have been chosen for this important leadership position," Rep. Ritter said. "I look forward to working to identify cost savings in labor and health care through regional cooperation."

Representatives Ryan and Ritter will both sere on the Collective Bargaining, Health Care and Pensions Committee. Using Results Based Accountability (RBA) methods, the committee will investigate the current structure of municipal health care plans and collective bargaining agreements to indentify opportunities for cost savings through regionalizing these services and contracts. The committee is also tasked with indentifying legal obstacles to implementing potential savings and recommending solutions to overcome these legal barriers.

Six additional state lawmakers along with business and labor leaders will serve on the committee along with Representatives Ryan and Ritter.