The state Senate has approved an extension to Governor Lamont's executive powers on a vote of 18 to 15.  State Senator Tony Hwang, whose district includes Newtown, voted against the sixth extension, through February 15th.  He believes it's time for the co-equal branch of government to take its power back.  Hwang encouraged everyone to get vaccinated, but called for transparent strategies.  He recounted growing up under One Party “Emergency Martial Law” in Taiwan, saying there were some cautionary parallels between his experience then and the direction that this extended state of emergency is taking.