Norwalkers quiz state legislators, no pie thrown

NORWALK, Conn. – Four Norwalk state legislators fielded questions Saturday from members of the public in the League of Women Voters of Norwalk annual Pie & Politics. About 30 people attended the event at Norwalk Police headquarters – if you weren’t one of them you can still get in on the info by watching the NancyOnNorwalk video, created by Harold Cobin.

If it’s pie you’re looking for, you’re out of luck with NoN.

State Sen. Bob Duff (D-25), State Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-143), State Rep. Chris Perone (D-137) and State Rep. Terrie Wood (R-141) attended the panel, with Lauren Rosato serving as moderator. Here is a list of the questions asked, with the time you can find them on the video:

Begin: Assuming you are in favor of the governor’s proposal for transportation how do you plan to pay for it?

8:03: Can you explain how the state created a budget that is $60 million out of balance? What programs and services are going to be affected by that? (Asked by former Republican Town Committee Chairman Art Scialabba.)

14:29: How do you feel about Secretary of State Denise Merrill’s suggestions regarding registrars of voters?

21:03: A question about budget issues in education in relation to inter-district magnets, specifically the Center for Global Studies, asked by Lisa Thomson.

27:50: It’s said that Norwalk is getting gypped by the state’s Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) formula… assuming that’s true, what are you going to do about it? (Asked by Dawn Calle.)

32:15 How much are the unemployment figures skewed by people moving out of state, people giving up on finding jobs?  How many of the jobs that have been created are minimum wage jobs? (Asked by Republican Town Committee Chairman Pete Torrano.

Below you will find the legislator’s closing comments.