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Grandstanding A Concern As Connecticut Lawmakers Prepare For Hearing On Utilities And Hurricane Irene

HARTFORD, CT (WCBS 880) - When 80 to 90 lawmakers convene a hearing, there is a  concern over how much grandstanding there might be.

WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau On The Story

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How many lawmakers might be interested in speech time before the cameras while an objective review of the utilities' response to Hurricane Irene is shoved to the sidelines?

St. Rep. Steve Dargan, who chairs the public safety committee, says ground rules should be set up beforehand.

"That always presents a problem when elected officials know that there's press there. So, we'd have to set those guidelines up ahead of time," he told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau.

St. Rep. John Shaban represents Easton, Weston, and Redding, towns which lost 80 to 90 percent of their power in the storm.

"I hope people will have more of an objective view about what can be done better and what should have been done better," he said.

Dargan says the hearings in Hartford will likely get underway in a few weeks.

Have something to say about the utilities' response to Irene? Sound off in the comments section below!

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