RE ELECT STATE REPRESENTATIVE

JIM SHAPIRO

144TH District

Representative Jim Shapiro is finishing his first term representing central Stamford, including Belltown, Hubbard Heights, the Mid Ridges, Newfield, Oaklawn, Pepper Ridge, Revonah Woods, and parts of Springdale.  As a member of the General Assembly he serves on the powerful Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, the Education Committee and the Public Safety Committee.

In the most recent legislative session, Representative Shapiro was instrumental in providing an historic $3.6 billion in Transportation funding to replace Metro-North’s aging fleet and upgrade I-95 and other state roads.  He also led the fight to return sound budgets with over $1 billion in surplus, while defeating proposed increases in the income tax, sales tax and real estate tax.  During this time, Representative Shapiro also brought State Education leaders to Stamford for the first time in history to hear Stamford’s education funding needs.  It is a major step in reforming the deficient education funding formula that shortchanges Stamford and its students.

Representative Shapiro’s public service began from 1997-2004 as a member of Stamford’s Board of Representatives for the 11th District. He served in leadership positions as Chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Committee and the State & Commerce Committee. During this time, Representative Shapiro gained recognition for spearheading the Mill River Corridor plan, drafting groundbreaking privacy legislation, opposing unsafe conditions at a neighboring nuclear power plant and supporting property tax reforms.

Should he be reelected, Representative Shapiro has a number of priorities for the upcoming Legislative Session.  These initiatives include providing a comprehensive energy policy for the State, reforming the ECS education funding formula, removing barriers to doing business in Connecticut to create jobs and expand the economy, and creating a state-sponsored non-profit Health Care program for small businesses and people who work for themselves to reduce costs and improve coverage. 

Representative Shapiro also serves his community as a member of the Board of Trustees for Senior Services of Stamford, a member of the Board of Directors of Stamford Emergency Medical Services, a member of the Board of Directors of the Stamford Center for the Arts, and a guest lecturer at the University of Connecticut Stamford Branch.

Representative Shapiro graduated from Yale University (B.A.) and Vanderbilt University School of Law (J.D.). He attended Stamford Public Schools from K-12.  He is a corporate attorney whose practice has focused on mergers and acquisition, securities, intellectual property and general corporate law, and prior to his election to the statehouse was employed as Director of Legal Affairs for Barnes & Noble Inc. Jim resides on East Lane with his wife Cristin.

Contact: 203-324-0910