State Senator Donald J. DeFronzo

Donald J. DeFronzo was first elected in November 2002 to represent the residents of Connecticut’s 6th Senatorial District, comprised of New Britain, Berlin, and the easternmost portion of Farmington. Senator DeFronzo was reelected in November 2008 to continue his work in the state Senate for a third term.

During this session, Senator DeFronzo will serve as chair of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee. Senator DeFronzo will also continue to sit on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding and Environment Committees and will join the Program Review & Investigations Committee. Senator DeFronzo previously served as chair of the Government Administration & Elections Committee.

Over the last five years, Senator DeFronzo has authored or sponsored several important pieces of legislation including:

• the public housing reforms of 2003, allowing for the non-housing reuse of state land in New Britain;
• “Stephen’s Law,” allowing for the immediate suspension of the license of any individual involved in a fatal auto accident and charged with DWI;
• state contracting reform measures (pre-qualification system);
• ethics reforms resulting in stricter standards for legislators and lobbyists;
• campaign finance reform, removing special interest money from elections by banning lobbyist, contractor, or PAC committee contributions;
• new funding for Summer Youth Employment programs;
• CSU 2020, providing a $1 billion investment in Connecticut’s state university campuses;
• increased funding for Dial-a-Ride service;
• phase out of the Manufacturing Equipment property tax assessment; and
• disabled and disadvantaged workers pilot program to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and low-income workers.

Senator DeFronzo has also been instrumental in protecting New Britain jobs in the banking, milk processing and health care industries while responding to the constituent needs of many area residents. In 2004, he helped increase the homeowner’s property tax credit from $350 to $500.

As Senate Chair of the Bonding Subcommittee, Senator DeFronzo played an integral role in securing $175 million in state capital bonding for the towns of New Britain, Berlin and Farmington. These bonds provided funding for economic development, arts projects, school construction grants, park projects, and open space preservation as well as construction grants for Central Connecticut State University, Tunxis Community College and local social service agencies.

Senator DeFronzo’s legislative effectiveness has been recognized by a wide range of professional associations and citizen groups representing the people of Connecticut. Among these are:

• Connecticut YMCAs — “Legislator of the Year Award,” 2003 and 2006;
• American Lung Association — “Breath of Life Award,” 2003;
• Yes I Can — “Mary Perez Self Advocacy Award” for work on behalf of people with disabilities, 2004;
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving — “Government Leaders Against Drunk Driving Award,” 2004;
• Connecticut Library Association — “Library Champion” Award, 2004;
• Town Clerks Association of Connecticut — “Legislator of the Year” Award, 2005;
• Hospital for Special Care — “Special Friend,” 2005;
• New Britain Columbian Federation — “Achievement Award,” 2005;
• Connecticut Community Providers Award — “Legislator of the Year” Award, 2006;
• Greater New Britain Arts Alliance — “Public Servant” of the Year, 2006;
• Connecticut State Employees Association — “Legislator of the Year” Award, 2006;
• SEIU Local 3200 BJ — “Justice for Janitors Award,” 2007
• Connecticut Workforce Partners — “Future Workforce Champion,” 2007;
• Connecticut Association for Community Transportation — “Friend of Public Transportation Award,” 2007; and
• Citizens for Quality Sickle Cell Care — “Lifetime Citizen Award,” 2008.

Senator DeFronzo is currently on the adjunct faculty at Goodwin College in East Hartford. Previously, he was the Executive Director of the Human Resources Agency of New Britain from 1995 through 2002. In this position, he was responsible for an $8 million budget, 215 employees and such community action programs as Head Start and Jobs First as well as programs in energy assistance, day care, lead abatement, health education and youth recreation.

As the Mayor of New Britain from 1989 to 1993, Senator DeFronzo led the city through the severe recession of the early 1990s and managed the city’s $130 million annual budget, paying particular attention to the city’s fiscal challenges. His administration balanced city budgets for four consecutive years, eliminated the city’s deficit and cut property taxes for the first time in two decades.

Senator DeFronzo served the people of Connecticut in the State's Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for 13 years, interrupted only by the four years he served as Mayor, coordinating work in planning and policy development. He was also involved in regional planning activities and in developing state block grant proposals. His work preparing legislative reviews and environmental analysis at OPM has proven to be especially useful in the General Assembly.

Senator DeFronzo’s distinguished career in public service began in the late 1970s while he was a Community Organizer for the Connecticut Association for Human Services, providing training and technical assistance to citizen advisory boards and other community-based organizations. While he was a program coordinator for New Britain-based Constructive Workshop, he developed training programs for mentally and physically disabled and emotionally disturbed clients.

He has also worked as a claims adjuster for the State Department of Labor and completed alternative service as a respiratory therapist at Hartford Hospital. After earning a B.A. from Fairfield University, Senator DeFronzo studied at the University of Connecticut and earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration. He and his wife Diane have two children, David and Karen.