About Jason

Representative Jason Perillo has dedicated his life to serving others and to making his community a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Jason served as the Chief of Shelton’s Echo Hose Ambulance from January of 2004 through 2008, working closely with police and fire department personnel to improve public health and safety throughout Shelton. A Shelton native, Jason has been a volunteer with Echo Hose since 1999. In addition to his EMS work, Jason is a former Alderman representing Shelton’s Second Ward. He has also served the City of Shelton as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Apportionment and Taxation and as a member of the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission where he was Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Subcommittee on Downtown Redevelopment.

In Jason’s first two years in Hartford, he authored or co-sponsored a number of laws that are already improving the quality of life for Connecticut families and are creating economic development opportunities throughout our State.

Redevelopment: Jason worked with Commerce Committee leaders to draft ground-breaking legislation that encourages the redevelopment of contaminated industrial sites. This program has already benefited communities throughout the state including Shelton, which received nearly half a million dollars toward its redevelopment efforts.

Helping our firefighters: Working with key Democrats and Republicans, Jason co-sponsored legislation that ensures career firefighters can volunteer in their hometowns. The law helps ensure the continued success of our local volunteer fire departments.

School safety: Working across party lines, Jason authored and ushered through legislation that mandates annual reporting of school fire inspections to local Boards of Education. This holds fire marshals and school boards accountable in keeping our children safe.

Supporting local farms and preserving open space: Jason spearheaded the passage of legislation that helps our local farms and farm wineries flourish.

Recognizing the leadership qualities he displayed during the 2008 legislative session, House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk, appointed Jason as the House Ranking Member (Republican Leader) on the Connecticut General Assembly’s Public Safety and Security Committee, an honor that is usually reserved for state legislators who have served at least two to three full terms in the state House of Representatives. In that role, Jason has been a leader in supporting firefighters’ and police officers’ ability to perform their jobs effectively and safely.

Jason also is a member of the Environment Committee and the powerful budget-writing Appropriations Committee.

In addition to his public service in government, Jason also holds an ex-officio seat on the City of Shelton’s EMS Commission and is the Director of Valley Emergency Medical Service, the regional paramedic provider which serves the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

Jason also serves the community on the Housatonic Council, Boy Scouts of America Advisory Board, as a member of

the Shelton Senior Center Commission, as a Corporator for the Birmingham Group and the Parent Child Resource Center, and as a member of Shelton’s School Readiness Council. He serves on the Board of Directors of the United Methodist Homes Foundation and is a member of the Board of Directors at VARCA, which serves mentally challenged residents of the community.  Jason also served three years as co-chairman of the Shelton Relay for Life, an overnight event which takes place in early June each year to benefit the American Cancer Society.

A frequent keynote speaker at Shelton Youth Service Bureau events, he has been active in that organization’s efforts to curb underage drinking in Shelton. He is a parishioner of St. Joseph Church and a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 16.

Jason is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, which he received from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Boston College.

A lifelong Shelton resident, Jason and his wife Becky live on Coram Avenue in the house where his grandfather, former Shelton Mayor Vincent Tisi, Jr., grew up.