Donald DeFronzo

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Connecticut Senator from the 6th District
Donald J. DeFronzo

In office
2003 – present
Preceded by	Thomas Bozek
Succeeded by	Incumbent
Born	1950
Residence	New Britain
Constituency	represents Berlin, Farmington, and New Britain
Political party	Democrat
Spouse	Diane DeFronzo

Donald J. DeFronzo is an American politician. DeFronzo, a Democrat, has been a state senator from Connecticut since 2003.

DeFronzo, a resident of New Britain, represents Berlin, Farmington, and New Britain in the Connecticut Senate. Prior to being elected to the senate, he served as mayor of New Britain.

DeFronzo holds degrees from Fairfield University and the University of Connecticut.

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Connecticut Senate Senator 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 re-elected in November 2004 to continue his work in the State Senate during a second term.

During this session, Senator DeFronzo will continue to Chair the Government Administration & Elections Committee. Senator DeFronzo will also sit on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding, Transportation and Environment Committees.

During his first term as a State Senator, Senator DeFronzo authored several pieces of important legislation, including "Stephen's Bill," named for Stephen Gacek, a 20-year old young man who was killed by a drunk driver. The law immediately suspends the license of any individual who is involved in a fatal auto accident and charged with DWI, or someone who has lost their license in the past for DWI, both pending a court appearance. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has applauded Senator DeFronzo for his efforts regarding this serious matter, and in 2004 he received the Government Leaders Against Drunk Driving Award (GLADD) by the Connecticut MADD chapter.

Senator DeFronzo was instrumental in protecting 100 New Britain banking-related jobs at the central depository of The Banker's Bank, securing over $25 million dollars in bonding revenue for Central Connecticut State University, and restoring the property tax credit from $350 to $500 beginning in January 1, 2005. In addition, in 2004, Senator DeFronzo was also named a Library Champion by the Connecticut Library Association for his efforts in supporting library construction and literacy.

In 2005 Senator DeFronzo was named "Legislator of the year" by the Town Clerks Association of Connecticut and a "Special Friend" of the Hospital for Special Care for his successful effort to secure additional funding for hospitals. Senator DeFronzo was also named recipient of the New Britain Columbian Federation's Achievement Award for 2005.

During the November/December 2005 Special Session, Senator DeFronzo was instrumental in drafting, debating and passing the landmark Campaign Finance Reform bill through the Senate. Working with both Senate and House leadership, Senator DeFronzo was able to shape the bill into a piece of legislation that was able to pass both houses and was ultimately signed by the governor.

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 managed the city's $130 million annual budget and paid particular attention to the city's fiscal matters, generating balanced budgets for four consecutive years, eliminating the city's deficit, and cutting property taxes.

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 70's, 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, and while he was a program coordinator for New Britain-based Constructive Workshop, developing 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, DeFronzo studied at UConn and earned a master's degree in Public Administration. He and his wife Diane have two children, David and Karen.