Rep. Bobby Sanchez Reappointed Education Chair

State Representative Bobby Sanchez (D-25) has been re-appointed as the Chair of the powerful legislative Education Committee.

Rep. Sanchez was re-appointed by the new Speaker of the state House of Representatives and Matt Ritter (D-1), and the new House Majority Leader, Rep. Jason Rojas (D-9).

Speaker-Designate Ritter made the announcement at Smalley School in New Britain, saying, “Bobby’s passion for education makes him the perfect fit to lead the state through the challenges brought by the pandemic.”

Majority Leader Rojas said, “Rep. Sanchez brings experience and leadership to the Committee and legislature. His commitment to education is well documented as our schools have improved since Rep. Sanchez assumed the chairperson role.”

Sanchez was named Education Chair two years ago by then-Speaker of the House Rep. Joe Aresimowicz and then-Majority Leader Ritter. Rep. Sanchez is now, re-appointed, under the new leadership team.

“I am honored that Matt and Jason have reappointed me as Education chair,” Rep. Sanchez said, saying, “We have some challenges in the years to come but we have excellent leaders like you that are up to the challenge, ready to roll up their sleeves and work on behave of the people of this great state!”

“Our work in the coming year will be difficult as we cope with the pandemic while making sure our students are in a safe environment whether in school or through distance learning,” Rep. Sanchez said.

New Britain Board of Education member, Violet Jiménez Sims offered, “Congratulations to New Britain’s own State Representative Robert Sanchez for being named co-chair of the Education Committee once again. I feel grateful to have Bobby as a tireless champion for all of Connecticut’s students and their families,” praising his advocacy for New Britain schools. “Gracias, Bobby, sigue en la lucha!”

“Having served on the New Britain Board of Education,” Ritter said, “Bobby uses that experience to develop thoughtful and effective legislation. He works tirelessly and reaches across the aisle to get things done.”

Majority Leader Rojas added that, “Bobby has earned the respect of legislators on both sides of the aisle and that’s why he’s been able to get legislation passed.”

“Our schools are among the best in the nation,” Rep. Sanchez said, “and I look forward to making them the very best.”

The state legislature’s website says that,

The Education Committee has cognizance of all matters relating to the Department of Education; local and regional boards of education and the substantive law of collective bargaining covering teachers and professional employees of such boards; vocational rehabilitation; the Commission on the Arts; and libraries, museums and historical and cultural associations.

Sanchez’ official biography says that he, “is a longtime leader in the New Britain community. Before joining the state legislature, he served on the New Britain Board of Education, where he was a strong voice for quality education and efficient administration.”

Sanchez represents the Twenty-Fifth Assembly District, which includes neighborhoods from Mount Pleasant, to downtown and Arch Street, to the North-Oak neighborhood to parts of the East Side.