Rep. Giegler Named House Republican Whip

State Representative Jan Giegler (R-138) has been named as a House Republican Whip for the 2015-2016 legislative session.

"I am honored House Republican Leader Themis Klarides chose me for a new leadership role in the General Assembly for the upcoming legislative session.” Rep. Giegler said. “I look forward to working with my fellow legislators, and across the aisle, to find common sense solutions to important state issues affecting our state.                                                                    

A Whip is traditionally responsible for helping to shape public policy, influencing fellow Republican lawmakers, and making sure Republican House members are in attendance to cast their votes on legislative issues.

Rep. Giegler also announced her legislative committee assignments for the upcoming two years - she will serve on the Transportation, Public Safety and Security, Executive and Legislative Nominations and Internship Committees.

The Transportation Committee has cognizance of all matters relating to the Department of Transportation, including highways and bridges, navigation, aeronautics, mass transit and railroads; and to the State Traffic Commission and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Public Safety and Security Committee oversees matters relating to homeland security, the Department of Public Safety, including state police, state organized task force on crime, municipal police training, fire marshals, the fire safety code and the state building code, civil preparedness and legalized gambling, and military and veterans' affairs, except veterans' pensions.

The Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee deals with matters relating to the duties of nominees for the position of department head. All executive and legislative nominations requiring action of either or both chambers, except judicial nominations, nominations of workers' compensation commissioners and nominations of members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, shall be referred to the committee on executive and legislative nominations.

The Internship Committee seeks to provide educational opportunities not typically available to students in the traditional academic setting, and to acquaint students with both the formal and informal aspects of the legislative process.

Rep. Giegler was first elected in 2002 and has served continuously since. Giegler represents the 138^th district which covers Danbury, New Fairfield and Ridgefield in the Connecticut General Assembly.