Why are you running for this seat, and what makes you qualified to represent the District?
I am running to help break the stranglehold that one party rule has had on our state that has resulted in making CT one of the most expensive places to live in the country. We rank in the top 3 for highest energy costs, taxes and debt per capita. Too much focus has been placed on National politics bc the party who has been in charge at the local level can’t defend their own polices that are the cause of the unaffordable position many are in. As a small business owner and a parent I have seen the downward spiral that the State of CT has been in for the past 20 years. I have a good understanding of policy and want to fight for people to keep more of their hard earned money. I want more local control and want to fight against the top down, one size fits all approach we see out of Hartford year after year. Qualifications for this job is having common sense and keeping taxpayers front and center of any policy decision which has been lacking for decades.
What are the top three issues you’d focus on in Hartford if elected, and why?
Affordability, Affordability and affordability. The reason CT has gotten so unaffordable is bc one party rule has focused on special interests, national politics and polices that make everything more expensive to the detriment of the taxpayers. Why does CT have some of the highest energy costs in the country bc of polices, like the public benefit. Ct has one of the worst rankings in the country in terms of business environment bc of one party rule polices that places higher and higher burdens on them so the government can spend more and more on special interests that benefit the ruling class and not those they represent.
What’s your position on state funding for public schools, including how it affects Norwalk specifically?
We have to figure out a better funding method bc right now property taxes are the main funding for our schools. I bet a lot of people don’t realize but a few years ago the Democrats raised the sales tax on a few select industries, like restaurants. That extra 1 percent was supposed to go back to the municipalities in which those businesses reside. Instead, in the middle of the night, the Democrats changed the bill at the last minute and put that extra money in the General fund. That money should be going to towns like Norwalk! The size of government and the unsustainable salaries and benefits going to State employees is crushing the state budget. You will hear a lot about how they are paying down debt and yet have added another 10 billion in long term debt bc of raises and bonuses for people making, on average, almost 100,000 a year. You have school superintendents making almost half a million a year regardless of school performance, that is beyond ridiculous. I would rather get rid of these superintendents and put that salary into teacher pay or hire after school tutors for kids in need of extra help. No more tax breaks and abatements for these builders taking advantage of the 8-30 g law. This law has done zero to making housing more affordable but have made these builders rich at the expense of the tax payers and detriment of school funding.
Housing costs and availability are a major concern across Fairfield County. What state-level changes would you support to address this?
There is no silver bullet for making housing more affordable. What hasn’t helped is the 8-30 g law that has allowed builders to build luxury apartments with a few “affordable” units sprinkled in. In Norwalk it feels like there is a new apartment building going up every month and yet the cost of housing has gone up every year, why? If you truly want to force builders to build affordable housing under the 8-30 g law then set what they can charge for these apartments. If builders want to use these laws then put more pressure on what they can charge for rent or the sale of these apartments. You also have to cap property taxes especially for the elderly so they can afford to live in their home they worked their entire lives to own. We have to think outside of the box on numerous polices and not be afraid to change course when things are not working. Too often career politicians won’t take responsibility for failed policy and resort to deflection and finger pointing.
What would you do to address the cost of living for Connecticut families, including taxes and utility costs?
First thing you do is eliminate the public option and these green energy subsidies that we all pay for on our electric bills. Why are hardworking citizens on the hook for those that aren’t paying their bills? That is fundamentally unfair. Car taxes are another example of something fundamentally unfair. When you buy the car you pay sales tax, then you are taxed every year on something you already paid taxes on. Then when you sell the car Hartford will collect more taxes on the transfer. Once you have paid taxes on something you bought you shouldn’t continue paying taxes every year for something that should be your property. You can’t make things more affordable in CT without cutting the spending and size of our government in CT. In 2017 when our government had far more balanced representation spending limits were enacted that forced the government to address their credit card debt while restraining their spending. Unfortunately those restrictions were only temporary and Democrats have repeatedly tried to get around these restrictions so they can spend more money. I am sure most people have noticed .5 percent deduction on their paycheck for a new CT program. You can’t mark my words here, this .5 percent will eventually keep getting bigger bc the new family leave program isn’t sustainable and will be forced to raise taxes even more to continue it. I want people to keep more of what they work hard for bc I believe government works for us but career politicians in Hartford think it is the other way around.
What separates you from your opponent(s), and why should voters choose you on Election Day?
I believe being an elected officials should be a part time job and not a career. I believe we should have term limits on all offices. 2 terms should be enough for all offices. Being a career politician is not something I am interested in. I am running bc I want to be a voice of opposition to one party rule that has zero check and balances and zero accountability to a large percentage of voters. My entire philosophy is enacting policies that allow more people to keep more of what they earn, providing a safe environment for people to live their lives and pursue their dreams and goals for themselves and their family and keeping government out of our lives as much as possible.
What’s one state policy you’d change that isn’t getting enough attention this election cycle?
That is a great question bc there are numerous but the public benefits charge and the car tax are two that I would start with. They are just examples of unfair and bad policies that add to the affordability issues plaguing CT.
How would you describe your approach to working across the aisle in Hartford?
Working across the isle has to be a two way street and I will work across the isle with anyone that puts the taxpayers first over special interests and the ruling class. My goal is to lower costs and taxes for the hardworking people and businesses of this State. I am not interested in growing the size of government.
What’s a local issue specific to your district that you don’t think gets enough attention at the state level?
The banning of gas powered leaf blowers in both Norwalk and New Canaan is so absurd all bc a few people complained over a few minutes of noice. These landscapers are hardworking and to add more costs to them and those that use their services is just another example of short sighted policy making that hurts the majority in favor of a select few. In New Canaan they even had a town vote in which a clear majority was against the ban but bc of some obscure rule about a certain percentage of people voting 8 people were able to get their way vs over 1500 people who were against the ban. Norwalk also put a ban but I bet that if you put it to a vote a clear majority would be against banning them. It seems like an insignificant thing unless you are a landscaper who has to figure out how to do their work and pay for less efficient equipment. I believe in looking out and helping the people who work hard and try to make a better life for themselves and family and that is how all elected officials should govern.
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