


State Senator Paul Cicarella
Senior Deputy Republican Leader
Paul Cicarella, elected in 2020, represents Connecticut’s 34th District. He is named the leading Republican on the legislature’s General Law and Public Safety and Security Committees, and returns on the Regulations Review, Veterans and Military Affairs, and Judiciary Committees. He also serves on the legislature’s newly formed Government Oversight Committee and the Joint Committee on Legislative Management.
Paul is a small business owner, retired corrections officer and youth sports coach with a record of championing important initiatives focused on families, law enforcement, safety and security.
LATEST NEWS
Explore the latest news and updates about Senator Paul Cicarella.
News
06/06/2025
“Just veto it.” CT Senate GOP Statement on House Bill 5002
Sen. Jeff Gordon, Sen. Rob Sampson, Sen. Ryan Fazio, Sen. Tony Hwang, Sen. Heather Somers, Sen. John A. Kissel, Sen. Eric Berthel, Sen. Henri Martin, Sen. Paul Cicarella, and Sen. Stephen Harding issued the following statement in reaction to the governor on June 5 saying he wishes he was “more involved” in the crafting of ... Paul Cicarella
News
05/18/2025
Watch | ‘Face the Facts: Why homeschooling regulations won’t be taken up this session’ (NBC CT)
From NBC Connecticut:
News
05/15/2025
CT Senate overwhelmingly approves bill to loosen trade apprenticeship ratios
By David Krechevsky The state Senate on Wednesday gave overwhelming support to a revised bill that will loosen the restrictions on hiring apprentices. An amended version of Senate Bill 1465 was approved by a 35-0 vote with one senator absent. Existing state law sets a hiring ratio for apprentices that certain trades must follow. The rule allows ... Paul Cicarella
News
05/07/2025
Watch | ‘Lawmakers cracking down on street takeovers’ (WFSB)
Story from WFSB: Watch segment here. In the final weeks of this year’s legislative session, lawmakers are cracking down on street takeovers. The senate is voting on increasing penalties and allowing vehicles to be confiscated or even destroyed. This is something lawmakers have been talking about for a while. It’s also something both republicans and ... Paul Cicarella
News
05/07/2025
Watch | ‘Senate approves bill cracking down on street takeovers’ (NBC CT)
Story from NBC Connecticut:
News
05/02/2025
CT Senate GOP Urges Homeschooling Community to Attend Monday Informational Hearing
Sen. Heather Somers, Sen. Eric Berthel, Sen. Jason Perillo, Sen. Rob Sampson, Sen. Henri Martin, Sen. Paul Cicarella, and Sen. Stephen Harding today urged Connecticut homeschooler families to attend a Homeschooling Informational Hearing at 2:00 PM on Monday, May 5 in Room 2 E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. (YouTube hearing link here: ... Paul Cicarella
News
04/11/2025
CT Senate GOP Statement on 192 MPH Motorcyclist
Sen. Tony Hwang, Sen. Paul Cicarella, Sen. Jeff Gordon and Sen. Stephen Harding today issued the following statement regarding Connecticut State Police announcing the arrest of a motorcyclist who built an online following under a pseudonym by posting to social media dozens of videos of himself speeding well above 150 mph, including 192 mph, on ... Paul Cicarella
News
04/07/2025
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Sen. Heather Somers, Sen. Paul Cicarella, Sen. Henri Martin and Sen. Stephen Harding today issued the following statement regarding an Apr. 4 state’s Psychiatric Security Review Board hearing which revealed how a current Whiting Forensic patient who was acquitted in the 2015 murder of girlfriend Delma Murphy by reason of insanity changed his legal last ... Paul Cicarella
News
04/02/2025
Sen. Cicarella, CT Senate GOP Kick Off Statewide Grassroots Tour Demanding Relief from Unaffordable Taxes & Electric Bills
“We have a cost of living crisis in CT.” Watch the press conference here. ANSONIA – At Ansonia-based small business Coastal Carriers, State Sen. Paul Cicarella (R-North Haven) and Connecticut Senate Republican lawmakers yesterday launched a grassroots tour of the state to join job creators and local leaders in demanding relief from the high cost ... Paul Cicarella
🚨Street Takeover bill ready to become law🚨
Thank you to my Senate and House colleagues for passing this commonsense measure that holds people accountable for endangering others on our roads. Consequences are the best deterrent, and this is something we’ve lacked for years. I continue to hear from many constituents and understand their frustrations with these lawless stunts. Street takeovers will continue until criminals realize that they will face significant consequences, and this bill accomplishes that. I look forward to the Governor signing this important bill into law.
Also, thank you to our local leaders like North Haven Police Chief Kevin Glenn, New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson, and North Haven First Selectman Mike Freda, who helped shape this bill and put all perspectives into consideration.
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In the early morning hours, the senate passed a controversial sweeping mandate on local zoning (HB 5002) at it relates to housing in our towns.
I support attainable housing, but this bill goes too far. The people in our district know what’s best for our towns. That’s why we elect local leaders to make zoning decisions. Each town is unique, and this bill wrongly places those decisions in the hands of officials in Hartford.
It’s equally wrong that this bill, in its final form, was pushed through late on a Friday night while most people were asleep.
I often warn about the unintended consequences of legislation from the Capitol. This bill is full of such consequences and will do little to address the skyrocketing cost of housing in Connecticut. One-size-fits-all, top-down mandates are not the solution.
I proudly supported good-faith amendments to provide real solutions for housing attainability, but Democrats regrettably rejected them. Our towns should have the final say when it comes to local development.
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I am so thrilled that the ratio relief bill has passed through our chambers. This concept, which I have pushed for for several years, was a top priority for me to get across the finish line this session.
I’m thankful to all of the stakeholders - the unions, the open shops, the Department of Consumer Protection, my colleagues on the General Law committee - for their willingness to work with me to get to a final product that is going to help so many of trade workers across the state.
www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/ct-senate-overwhelmingly-approves-bill-to-loosen-trade-apprentic...
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CT Senate overwhelmingly approves bill to loosen trade apprenticeship ratios
gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com
The state Senate on Wednesday gave overwhelming support to a revised bill that will loosen the restrictions on hiring apprentices. An amended version of Senate Bill 1465 was approved by a 35-0 vote wi...