DelGobbo resigns House seat for DPUC position

BY PAUL HUGHES, REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

HARTFORD — Rep. Kevin M. DelGo­bbo, R-Naugatuck, re­signed his seat Monday.

How soon voters in the 70th House Dis­trict elect a replace­ment will depend on how long Gov. M. Jodi Rell takes to call a special election to fill the vacancy.

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz officially informed Rell that she had re­ceived DelGobbo’s let­ter of resignation Monday. The letter stated DelGobbo was resigning effective at noon today.

State law gives the governor 10 days from Tues­day to order the election. By law, the election must be held 46 days from the date of that order.

If Rell waits until Jan. 16 to issue the writ of election, then the election will be March 2.

DelGobbo is resigning his seat of 12 years because Rell appointed him to the Depart­ment of Public Utility Con­trol.

He cannot serve simultane­ously as a lawmaker and utility regulator. The DPUC regu­lates the rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric, natural gas, water and telecommunications compa­nies.

It is also is the franchising authority for Connecticut’s ca­ble TV companies. There are five commissioners on the DPUC panel. DelGobbo will earn $121,126 a year as a com­missioner. His appointment is subject to legislative confirma­tion.