PROUDLY SERVING THE 35TH DISTRICT
State Senator Jeff Gordon
Dr. Jeff Gordon, elected in 2022, represents Connecticut’s 35th District. He serves as a Ranking Member on the Planning & Development and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, and is a member of the Appropriations, Public Health, and Public Safety Committees. Jeff is Co-Chairman of the Rural Caucus. As one of only two medical doctors in the Connecticut legislature, “Doctor-Senator” Jeff is known for his work on health insurance reform, prescription drug pricing, patient care access, and healthcare affordability, especially for people in rural communities. Dr. Jeff’s motto is Common Sense, highlights his work as a State Senator.
FEATURED STORY
Tolland Legislators Issue Joint Statement Calling for Halt to Deal to Bring Juvenile Detention Center to Tolland
HARTFORD – State Representative Tammy Nuccio, Senator Jeff Gordon, and Rep. Tim Ackert issued the following statement in response to a proposal to open a juvenile detention center in Tolland.
“Tolland will not be railroaded. We are unequivocally opposed to the proposed placement of a juvenile detention facility in the currently proposed location in our community. It is our understanding that the purchase agreement for this property has not yet been signed, and it must not be signed. Moving forward under these circumstances would be reckless and a complete disrespect to the community.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Senator Jeff Gordon invites you to attend a Legislative Update in Tolland!
“The people of Connecticut want common sense, a fair deal, and their state government to work for them. They know what is best for their families and them. My goal is to take this message to the Capitol for you, working to deliver solutions that make your lives better.”
I was proud to co-author this statement with State Representative Tammy Nuccio and State Representative Tim Ackert opposing the proposed juvenile detention center in Tolland.
Let me be clear: Tolland will not be railroaded.
A decision of this magnitude should never move forward without transparency and direct engagement with the community. Residents and town leaders were left in the dark. That is unacceptable.
We are calling for an immediate halt to this deal until a fully transparent process takes place. Tolland deserves respect, accountability, and a voice in decisions that impact our town.
The statement by the Justice Joan Alexander (Chief Court Aministrator, Judiciary branch) that better communication was needed is hugely insulting. There was zero communication!!
Join me in Hampton on Monday, Feb. 16 for a Legislative Update with State Representative Pat Boyd
Legislative Updates are a chance to hear updates on the latest developments from Hartford and to talk about the state issues that matter most to our communities.
This event is free and open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to attend and be part of the discussion.
Senator Jeff Gordon’s Update
I have kept very engaged working on the criminal youth detention center issue in Tolland. And I continue to hear from many people in Tolland. I remain available and working with others to push on this issue many ways. We’re ramping up pressure on Governor Lamont to do the right thing: instruct the Office of Policy & Management Secretary not to sign the purchase agreement and to meet with us to discuss this serious matter and the process broken purposefully to get the detention center in the part of Tolland raising such public concern. See my letter below.
Keep the pressure strong and growing. You can contact the Governor at:
Phone: 800-406-1527 or 860-566-4840
Email: portal.ct.gov/governor/contact/email-governor-lamont?language=en_US
More updates soon.
——-
My letter to Governor Lamont ;
“Hello. I am writing with growing, very serious concern, and with the growing, loud public anger by the people of Tolland regarding how the Judicial branch and state agencies involved, including the Office of Policy and Management, kept secret the planning for, decision making about, and purchase agreement regarding placing a criminal youth detention center in Tolland.
It is planned to be put on a major road (Route 195), which is heavily trafficked by the public, including UConn students, and located close to two day care centers and a public elementary school. Who would think this is the best place to house youth criminals?!
At no time were town officials, local legislators, and the people of Tolland informed or provided opportunities to have questions answered and concerns addressed.
The Judicial branch issued convenient to them at the end of a day today on a Friday a public statement (then delayed sending it to local legislators by an hour). The statement is insulting, saying that communications could have been better. There was zero communication! They only issued a press statement when caught and called out publicly. The OPM has yet to say anything publicly.
I have heard that the OPM Secretary has not yet signed the purchase agreement.
Respectfully and on behalf of the people of Tolland, I ask that the purchase agreement not be signed, especially because we have yet to meet with you to discuss this serious matter, the very broken process involved, and the outrage of the people of Tolland as to how they were mistreated and not having an oppirtunity to have concerns addressed and questions answered by their own state government.
Please create an appropriate process and restore trust in state government. Let’s work to have the right thing done by state government.
Thank you.”