Sen. Beth Bye Appointed to Lead Appropriations Committee

Sen. Beth Bye has been appointed co-chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, meaning the West Hartford resident will lead one of two of the state's budget committees.

Bye will succeed Sen. Toni Harp, D-New Haven, who held the position for six terms until she was elected mayor of New Haven in the November election. 

Bye said she was honored to secure the appointment, and expressed interest in the job when Harp was elected. 

"To get the trust of Sen. President Don Williams is a really big honor but it's also a huge challenge. Appropriations has the most work of any committee. Hearings go on and on and you need to know the whole picture," Bye said.

But having been on the committee for five years, Bye said she is already comfortable with the process.

"I also think it’s going to be good to have someone on Appropriation who has represented communities from urban to rural and have served in office in a rim suburb that faces all kinds of challenges. I'm excited to bring that perspective to appropriations leadership."

Bye also brings a passion for education to the position. She has served as the co-chairwoman of the Higher Education Committee and has been a longtime advocate of access to early childhood education.

"I have an immense amount of respect for the knowledge and passion with which Beth carries out her work in the Senate – a respect I know many of her colleagues in the General Assembly also share. Beth is a great choice to co-chair this important committee and I look forward to continuing our work together," said Senate President Donald E. Williams Jr. in a statement.

Bye represents West Hartford, Bloomfield, Burlington and Farmington.

She will co-chair the committee with state Rep. Toni Walker of New Haven.