Williams re-elected Conn. State Senate president

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The Connecticut Senate has re-elected Democratic Brooklyn Sen. Donald E. Williams Jr. as president.

Williams has overseen the Senate for the past eight-and-a-half years. Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney nominated Williams on Wednesday and Senate Minority Leader John McKinney seconded the motion. He was then elected unanimously.

Given the state's budget problems, Williams said Connecticut is "at a crossroads" but urged Democrats and Republicans to take inspiration from the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation to work together and "welcome big and bold ideas."

With Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra (LOH'-dra) looking on, Williams spoke of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, urging lawmakers to "do all we can to remove the weapons of war from those who would assault our children and our communities."