About Jan
State Representative Janice R. “Jan” Giegler takes great pride in protecting and improving the quality of life for her constituents in Danbury and New Fairfield. Jan was first elected to represent the 138th District in 2002, and was re-elected to her fourth term in 2008.
A former administrator of an outpatient psychiatric clinic, Representative Giegler’s expertise on healthcare policy has been put to good use with her appointment as the Ranking Minority Member of the General Assembly’s Public Health Committee. She also serves as Chairman of the Internship Committee, and is a member of the Executive and Legislative Nominations and Transportation Committees.
During her four terms in the Legislature, Representative Giegler has been a passionate voice for lower taxes, restrained state spending, and a better business climate that will create jobs for Connecticut residents and help revitalize struggling cities. She has sponsored numerous pieces of legislation to reduce the tax burden on Connecticut taxpayers and employers, and joined her caucus in proposing a 5% pay reduction for State Legislators to help mitigate the FY 2008 budget deficit.
From her position on the Public Health Committee, Representative Giegler joined other Danbury area legislators in a successful effort to obtain state approval for a new cardiac care program at Danbury Hospital in 2004. She was a co-sponsor of legislation establishing the Connecticut Homecare Option Program for the Elderly in 2007, and has repeatedly sponsored legislation to establish and support school-based health centers across the State of Connecticut.
The mother of a college aged son, Representative Giegler has been a staunch advocate for the Danbury School System and Western Connecticut State University. She has continually fought for a greater share of state education dollars for towns like Danbury and New Fairfield, and is a champion of state investment in WestConn. In addition, Representative Giegler volunteers as an advisor to Danbury High School Young Republican and WCSU College Republicans in an effort to get more young people involved in the political process.
Outside of her legislative service, Representative Giegler is involved in a variety of community and service organizations including: YMCA Pioneering Healthier Communities Blue Ribbon Task Force Oct 2006-present; State Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (JJACA) Jan 2007-2008; member of Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) Jan 2007-2008; Danbury City-Wide PTO Council member 1996-2004; President of Danbury City-Wide PTO, 2000-2004; President of King Street School PTO, 1996-1998; Danbury Homelessness Task Force, 2005; State Director for Women in Government, 2005-present; Education Connection New 3R’s Leadership Group, 2008, National Council of State Legislatures Health Committee, 2009.
Representative Giegler is a graduate of Green Mountain College and Ohio State University. She and her husband, Tom, live in Danbury. They have one son, Jeff.
