Len Fasano, Neighbor

State Senator Len Fasano represents the 34th Senatorial District communities of East Haven, North Haven and Wallingford and serves as the Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore.

He has served in the State Senate since January 8, 2003 and previously served as a Senate Deputy Minority Leader. In addition to his current leadership position, Senator Fasano serves as Ranking Member on the General Assembly’s Planning and Development Committee, Executive Nominations Committee and also serves on the Legislative Management and Reapportionment Committee.

Senator Fasano was born in New Haven on May 15, 1958, the son of Dr. And Mrs. Leonard Fasano, and has remained a resident of the Southern Connecticut area ever since. He attended Yale University, where he excelled both in and out of the classroom. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1981, and played running back for the football team under legendary coach Carmen Cozza. Senator Fasano went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from Quinnipiac Law School in 1984 and graduated from Boston University Law School a year later with an L.L.M. Degree in Taxation.

Senator Fasano has an extensive record of public service accomplishments in Hartford and in the 34th District. During the unprecedented budget-setting process in 2009, Senator Fasano fought tirelessly to address the multi-billion dollar budget deficit by joining his legislative Republican colleagues in proposing ways to make state government more cost-effective and efficient. He also maintained his commitment to small businesses in Connecticut by being an advocate for business-friendly policies.

Senator Fasano is also presently active in pursuing legislation to set up a public cord blood bank system in Connecticut. Around the country this cutting edge technology has allowed families and individuals to tap into rich nutrients provided by umbilical cord blood.

Initially, cord blood stem cells were primarily used to treat blood cancers, but research scientists are now exploring treatments for a wide variety of diseases including cerebral palsy, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and spinal cord injury. Rather than have the cord blood discarded parents would voluntarily donate the tissue to a public bank for future use and in many cases to save lives. Research has shown storing cord blood ensures that should the need ever arise; you will have a source of stem cells that is an exact genetic match to your baby, with no risk of rejection. There is also the strong possibility that the stem cells will be a match for siblings.

He has also championed efforts to reform Connecticut’s eminent domain laws, protect Long Island Sound from Broadwater’s attempt to construct a liquefied natural gas terminal and has helped to protect the neighborhood surrounding Tweed New Haven Airport by helping to broker an agreement between the Town of East Haven, the airport and state officials.

As a member of the community, Senator Fasano has served as the fire commissioner of East Haven, helped in establishing the East Haven Land Trust, and has served as an East

Haven Representative on the Long Island Sound Study Commission and as a member of the Hamden Hall Board of Trustees.

Also, Senator Fasano remains active pursuing open space acquisitions in East Haven, North Haven and Wallingford. As President and Founder of Fasano, Ippolito, and Lee, Senator Fasano currently represents hundreds of clients in southern Connecticut, focusing primarily on land transactions and zoning matters.

Because of his diligence on behalf of the residents of the 34th District, Senator Fasano is the proud recipient of numerous awards and accolades including:

2008 Legislator of the Year – Connecticut Police Chiefs Association

2009 Roger Sherman Award – Connecticut Conference of Municipalities

2009 Children’s Champion – Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance

2009 Public Policy Award - Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Senator Fasano resides in North Haven with his wife, Jill, and their children, Kristen, Robert and Karla.