In an unusual move, Sen. Ed Meyer, D-Guilford, walked into the middle of the Senate circle Saturday during a debate to take a phone call from his wife.
Sen. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, who was presiding over the Senate at the time called Meyer out of order.
“The only thing out of order is this filibuster,” Meyer recalled saying. The phone conversation with his wife was “more relevant, and significant than the filibuster conversation.”
“I’m doing the Lords work,” Meyer said. “This is the biggest disservice we can do to our constituents.”
However, Sen. Leonard Fasano, R-North Haven, disagreed. “I thought it was very disrespectful.”
“He didn’t like that we were questioning bills,” Fasano said. “Deals can be worked out and bills can start to move, but he has to understand it’s a two-party system.”
In part it was a filibuster, Fasano said, but he admitted it’s the only tool the minority has at times to get things done.
Meyer said he was frustrated because only one of his 12 environmental bills were able to get through the process Saturday.
“I’m doing my best to shake up this institution,” Meyer said.
