Bill Offered As Incentive To Keep Base Open Passes Senate, Now Subject To House Approval

Senator Cathy Cook, R-Mystic, today led an impassioned debate in the State Senate during which she asked her colleagues to pass legislation intended to provide the military, Congress and President Bush with an incentive to keep open the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton.

"Our submarine base, the first in the nation, has been an integral part of our country's defense for a century. As you all know, we are fighting right now to save the submarine base. We have a lot of good arguments on our side, but when the economy of our state and the safety of our nation is at stake, you can never have too many good arguments. Passing this bill in the Senate before the Base Realignment And Closure Commission representatives visit the base next week, and having it signed into law before BRAC holds its hearings in Boston in July, is one of the most important contributions the legislature can make to this effort," said Senator Cook.

The bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Cook and several other legislators, calls for making available $10 million in state bonding for the U.S. Navy, or other eligible applicants, for projects related to the enhancement of infrastructure for long-term, or on-going naval operations that are intended to increase the military value of the base. Senator Cook stressed that the state would not make these funds available until the federal government makes a commitment to keep the base open.

The legislation, HB 5907, An Act Concerning Assistance For Defense Manufacturers' Suppliers, was passed unanimously by the Senate today and is now subject to further action by the House of Representatives.