Elected to a seventh term in the Connecticut State Senate in November of 2006, Senator Tom Gaffey represents the thirteenth Senatorial District that includes the communities of Cheshire, Meriden, Middlefield, Rockfall and Middletown.

For the sixth consecutive term, Senator Gaffey serves as the Senate Chairman of the Education Committee. That committee has cognizance of all matters relating to elementary and secondary education, the state Department of Education, local and regional boards of education, and collective bargaining for teachers and administrators. In addition, Tom chairs the School Construction Committee and serves as a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding,  and Legislative Management Committees.

In January 2007, Senator Gaffey was elevated to the third highest ranking member of the Seante when appointed Chief Deputy President Pro Tempore by Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr.  He is also a member of the Education Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Senator Gaffey has consistently maintained a commitment to investing in education as a key to Connecticut's economic future. He successfully worked with members of both parties to accomplish historic levels of funding of for local school districts through the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) and school construction grants. Tom has consistently fought for additional funding for academic and shop improvements at the state's technical high schools. As a graduate of Southern CT State University, Tom also successfully worked for a billion dollar capital investment to revamp all four State Universities. While similar to the UConn 2000 program, the CSUS program has far more oversight and accountability requirements to make certain that construction projects adhere to all applicable building and saftey codes.