Connecticut Local Politics

This morning and early afternoon there was a debate between the 20th District Senate Candidates and the 37th, 38th, and 39th House District Candidates at the Waterford Town Hall.  The debate and meet the candidate forum was sponsored by the New London DAY, the AAUW, and the SE CT League of Women Voters.  There were about fify voters in attendence, mostly local party activists but there were a few members of the voting public as well.  Representatives of the three 2nd District Congressional candidates were also present during the initial meet and greet that lasted for an hour.  The first debate was between incumbent Democratic Senator Andrea Stillman and her Republican Challenger Thomas Simones.  The Third Party Candidate Mark Guttman was not present for the debate. There were opening and closing statements that sandwiched six questions that were compiled by the League of Woman Voters and asked by Waterford High School Students and questions from members of the public that were present.

Opening Statements:

Stillman – Running for third term in Senate after six terms in House.  She pointed out that she had brought $68 million to the district for various projects.

Simones -  Grew up in New London and Waterford.  Graduated from Connecticut College and UCONN Law School.  Goals in first term would be to work on improving Health Care, Setting Term Limits, Improving Education, and Establishing accountability of taxpayer’s dollars.

Question – Should an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)be passed by the legislature and signed into law?

Stillman – Has been a long time supporter of EITC.  It will be difficult to pass this year because of the budget deficits but hopeful that it will despite the fiscal difficulties.

Simones – Would support but really need to make Connecticut more business friendly.  Jobs are moving to Florida, Virginia, and South Carolina.

Question – Since we have a part time legislature, What is your other job?

Simones – Lawyer for Workers Compensation and Personal Injury Claims.

Stillman – Owner of small business in New London.   Believes that legislature should remain part time.

Question:  Do you support closing exit 75 on I-95 to see if it will prevent accidents?  (There was a multicar accident about a year ago that tied up traffic in SE CT for about ten hours ).

Stillman – Delegation from SE CT has written a letter to the Governor requesting just that proposal among others.  Governor and Department of Transportation (CONNDOT) have  not been responsive.

Simones – Only solution is four lanes each side of Highway.  We need to start widing I-95 immediately.

Question – Why aren’t candidates up at arms about the dumping of a homeless person on streets of New London by Stonington police?

Simones- If true, the person responsible should be charged if an investigation by the States Attorney upholds the claim.

Stlllman – Shocked when read in the paper.  Let chiips fall where they may for this investigation.  It reflects poorly on the Stonington Police. Action should await the results of the investigation.

Question – Should there be an emergency session of General Assembly to resolve the current year budget deficit?

Stillman – Governor has power to resolve problem.  Special Session should not be necessary until after election.

Simones – Legislature needs to proactively solve the problem.  There is  too much political infighting.

Question – Noting the effect of Deregulation on consumer power bills, would you support another Nuclear Power Plant?

Simones – Need to restore regulation.  We currently have an unregulated monopoly.  The monopoly should be regulated.  Would sponsor regulations to do just that action.

Stillman – As part of the deregulation bill, the Town of Waterford was supported by a declining amount of additional dollars financed by the System Benefit Charge. 

Question – Do you support a Three Strikes Law?

Stillman – No.  There are generally too many complications.   There is a new Home Invasion law which address the problem.

Simones – Only for very high and especially brutal crimes.  More dollars are needed for police protection.

Queston – What is the answer to Health Care Problems?  Should there be caps on Legal Malpractice fines?

Simones – Can’t put the doctors out of business because of litigation.  There should be caps.

Stillman – Worked for a solution for last several years.  Introduced Community Health Centers around the state and School based Health Care for children.

Closing:

Stillman – Strong record of accomplishment but there is still more to do.  Desire to continue to work for citizens in Hartford.

Simones – Need for legislature to be more proactive. Will support Term limits (two terms)   Need to reregulate electrical companies now.

There was a short break to shift to the Representatives.  I will post on their debate tomorrow.