By Vinnie Penn
Jun 3, 2021
One legislator fell in a parking garage stairwell while walking from the garage roof to the causeway between the garage and the Legislative Office Building, where some legislators leave their laptop computers that are programmed to allow them to cast a roll call vote from a distance.
On Thursday, State Representative Robin Comey, a second term Democrat and Assistant Majority Leader, was incomprehensible when she attempted to speak on an amendment pending before the House. Comey’s condition caused concern on the floor.
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Admonished For Drinking At Capitol, Branford Lawmaker Apologizes - Branford, CT - Rep. Robin Comey struggled to speak on the House floor. She blamed anxiety, exhaustion and wine at dinner, adding it was atypical behavior.
While a limited number of lawmakers are allowed to participate in person for House and Senate debates, some legislators are watching and voting remotely from their legislative offices. All committee hearings and votes were held virtually this year.
It s been during those House and Senate floor debates that Democratic leaders said some lawmakers have been drinking excessively, though they did not say how many. To say that this is being taken seriously is an understatement, Ritter told reporters during a briefing. I think the incidents are a little more isolated, maybe not as widespread as some might think, but there s no question that we expect people to be adults, to understand the consequences of their decisions. And I have been very clear with people that if it happens again, there will be significant consequences associated with it.
Comey apologized in a statement.
“I suddenly and unexpectedly began to feel unwell. This was due to several factors, including anxiety, exhaustion, and, regrettably, the wine I had with dinner. In an abundance of caution, I did not drive home and remained in Hartford until the following morning,” Comey said in a statement.
“This is a chamberwide thing that had to be addressed,” Ritter said.
House Majority Leader Jason Rojas said Comey apologized to her colleagues and her constituents.
“I think we’re all ready to move on and we engage in the right behaviors people expect us to while we’re here,” Rojas said.
Lawmakers receive stern warning to stop excessive drinking during session
Lawmaker’s behavior is getting a lot of attention as some have been drinking on the job.
Connecticut Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas said they’ve had to talk to lawmakers about drinking in the legislative complex while the House is in session.
“There is no question we expect people to be adults and understand the consequences of their decisions. I’ve been very clear with people that if it happens again there will be significant consequences associated with that,” Ritter said.
“I think it’s important to clarify these are the exceptions, not any kind of norm. Just because they are exceptions doesn’t make it more acceptable, but I don’t want the public to think this is what is happening on a regular basis at the Capitol. There are people doing serious work,” Rojas said.