Governor Appoints Danbury Mayor Boughton to Lead DRS

Gov. Ned Lamont has appointed Danbury mayor Mark Boughton as the state’s new tax commissioner.

Boughton, a Republican and Danbury’s longest-serving mayor with 10 terms in office, will assume leadership of the Department of Revenue Services Dec. 18.

Lamont said Boughton’s experience as Danbury mayor enables him to understand the impact state tax policies have on the local level “where they hit closest to home.”

The Democratic governor said he appreciates Boughton’s skills and the perspective he brings.

“I firmly believe that a bigger table, open door, and creative solutions will help produce the best outcomes for the people of our state, regardless of someone’s political affiliation,” Lamont said in a statement.

Municipal Experience

Boughton, who lost the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary to Bob Stefanowski, said he’s eager to bring his municipal experience to the state level.

“After years serving one of Connecticut’s largest cities, I am excited about the chance to serve the people of the State of Connecticut in the Lamont administration,” he said.

“Gov. Lamont’s team has shown its dedication to the people of our state since he took office, especially during this pandemic, and they have been great to work with through this transition.”

“We hope that the success Mayor Boughton brought to Danbury will continue to push higher standards for customer service.”

CBIA’s Eric Gjede

Before becoming Danbury mayor, Boughton, a former school teacher, served two terms as a state representative in the 138th District. He was first elected mayor in 2001.

“DRS is one of the best run state agencies in Connecticut and is incredibly responsive to the needs of taxpayers—even more so during the pandemic,” said Eric Gjede, CBIA’s vice president for government affairs.

“We hope that the success Mayor Boughton brought to the city of Danbury will continue to push even higher their standards for customer service. Connecticut citizens deserve no less from every state agency.”

Bipartisan Appointment

State Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) praised the appointment.

“The people of Connecticut benefit when state government can work together in a bipartisan way, especially in the midst of a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Democrats said in a joint statement.

.@GovNedLamont made it official: @MayorMark starts at @CTDRS on Dec. 18. https://t.co/Mky5gEKhvg

— Mark Pazniokas (@CTMirrorPaz) December 11, 2020

The General Assembly must sign off on the appointment.

John Biello, the DRS deputy commissioner, has served as acting commissioner since Scott Jackson resigned in January to take a job with New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker’s administration.

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For more information, contact CBIA’s Eric Gjede (860.480.1784) | @egjede