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Volume 24, Number 20
Friday, October 26, 2018
Budget, taxes debated
Parker, Kokoruda meet in Madison
By Mary Ellen Godin Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN — Republican, Democratic and Libertarian candidates in three local races were sharply divided on the implementation of tolls, how to close a $4.5 billion deficit, and other issues during a candidate forum last week.
By Bailey Wright Town Times
MADISON — Candidates vying for the 101st district seat agreed on many issues Wednesday, Oct. 17 including paid leave, building state revenue and keeping young people in the state, while attempting to separate their platforms by age and experience.
Candidates running for the 13th Senate District and the 82nd and 83rd House District squared off in a debate Thursday. Oct. 18 at Washington Middle School sponsored by the RecordJournal, Midstate Chamber of Commerce, and Meriden Board of Education.
13th Senate District Sen. Len Suzio, R-Meriden, said the state won’t be attractive to businesses if it continues raising taxes. “Businesses won’t come to the state because of the tax burdens,” Suzio said. “You’ve got to tighten the belt, look where you can cut costs.” He pointed to negotiations with state employee unions that produced budget savings as an example. He also said the state needs to be more creative, and mentioned his proposal for a fund that would allow residents to donate toward services for residents with disabilities in exchange for a tax deduction. Mary Daugherty Abrams, the Democratic nominee, said the state can shore up its budget “by building our economy.”
Democratic nominee Mary Dougherty Abrams shakes hands with Sen. Len Suzio, R-Meriden, after a debate Oct. 18 sponsored by the Record-Journal, Midstate Chamber of Commerce, and Meriden Board of Education. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
“The way we build our economy is by educating a workforce that is ready to work, and offer a quality of life here in Connecticut that attracts people and makes them want to be part of the state. If everyone is prospering our deficit will take care of itself,” she said. She also said the state needs to make its tax structure “more equitable,” including asking wealthier residents to pay slightly more, and that Connecticut could bolster its revenue with legalized sports betting, with some money going toward pensions.
Abrams also criticized Suzio for voting in favor of a Republican-proposed budget in 2017 that would have increased teachers’ pension contributions, but that would have put that money into the general budget fund and not directly into the pension fund. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy vetoed that budget. Abrams didn’t take a stance on the implementation of tolls, but said she would like to see an actual plan. She voiced opposition to a $10 million study the State Bonding Commission
Republican incumbent Noreen Kokoruda and Democratic newcomer JohnMichael Parker were posed questions from the debate’s host, the League of Women Voters of the East Shore, for about an hour. Some questions came from audience members, who packed the meeting space. “I think it's time for my generation to step up and take some responsibility and I want to work hard to ensure that families, and grandparents, and young people, are able to stay in this place that they love,” Parker said. He said that the legislature
See Forum, A2
See Madison, A4
The Series Continues… Sat, Oct 27, 2018 • 9am–12pm VI
MOTORCA AGE R NT
• Traditional car show(pre-1979) • Plus special feature: Vintage Trucks • • Kid’s activities • Food Trucks • Spectator parking on campus • General admission–$10 • Seniors 65 & over–$8 • Children 12 & under—Free
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R203189
• SERIES
Featuring Grand Marshals Wayne Carini & his daughter Lindsay
Klingberg Family Centers 370 Linwood Street New Britain, CT
KlingbergMotorcarSeries.org