Senator Freedman has written to Senate President Pro Tempore Donald Williams, Speaker of the House James Amann, Senate Minority Leader John McKinney and House Republican Leader Lawrence Cafero to suggest that they meet as leaders of the Legislative Management Committee to develop and implement such a policy as soon as possible. Senator Freedman is also a member of the Legislative Management Committee, which has cognizance over matters relating to the operation of the General Assembly, including the working conditions and compensation of legislative employees.

In her letter, Senator Freedman notes that the General Assembly passed legislation in 1996 regarding the telecommuting of state employees and that the state Department of Transportation manages a telecommute program, Telecommute Connecticut, to help private companies design, implement and maintain telecommuting programs for their employees. Senator Freedman said that, in light of rising gas prices, it is time for the General Assembly to do the same thing.

“Our own state agencies are encouraging private companies to use telecommuting and yet, we do not have a policy here in the Legislature for our employees. I suggest the leadership of the Legislative Management committee meet to develop a comprehensive Telecommuting policy for our employees and to implement it as soon as possible. The current gas price situation will probably worsen, so it is time for us to be leaders for the state and encourage telecommuting,” wrote Senator Freedman.