Rep. Terry Backer Resigns From Approps Subcommittee Over Possible Conflict

Veteran state Rep. Terry Backer, D-Stratford, citing a possible conflict, has resigned as chairman of a legislative subcommittee within the budget-setting Appropriations Committee.

 Backer, whose day job is director of the non-profit Soundkeeper Fund, said in an interview Tuesday he quit as leader of the conservation and development subcommittee after receiving “inconclusive” advice from the Office of State Ethics.

 The issue revolves around the Soundkeeper Fund’s management of the boat septic-pumpout program, funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Last year it pumped out waste from 2,000 boats that might have ended up in Long Island Sound.

 “They’re saying informally they don’t think I should do it,” Backer said, adding that ethics officials suggested he request a formal opinion. But it’s not worth the time and effort, he said.

 “It’s a subcommittee,” Backer said. “It’s not that important. All you get to do is recommend a budget based on the subcommittee’s work.” He expects to stay on the committee. Backer, who also serves on the Environment Committee and the Energy and Technology Committee, was fist elected in 1992.