Monthly Archives: November 2022

Devin Carney (R): Candidate (Incumbent) for House District #23

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I am running for my fifth term serving as State Representative for the 23rd District. I was born and raised in Old Saybrook and currently live in Old Lyme. I serve as Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee, as a member on the Finance and Education Committees, and as an Assistant Minority Leader. I work in finance at John A Bysko Associates and serve on The Kate Board of Trustees, the Rotary Club of Old Saybrook, Old Saybrook Chamber and the Old Lyme RTC. I am a past alternate on the Old Lyme ZBA.

1.What is the most serious problem currently facing the state of Connecticut? Why is it the most serious problem? What would you do to help solve the problem?

The most serious problem facing Connecticut is our uncertain economic outlook. Nearly every person I speak to has concerns about the cost of groceries, the expected rise in utility costs, the uncertainty surrounding the price of gasoline, supply chain issues, the stock market and retirement plans; the list goes on and on. All of us are affected by these circumstances, especially the middle class and seniors living on fixed incomes. Small businesses have concerns about hiring employees, the costs of goods, and the potential for fewer customers this winter due to household budgets being squeezed.

First, I would suspend several taxes. The gas tax holiday should be extended past this year, and the highway use tax should be repealed before it takes effect. Additionally, I would also put in a diesel tax holiday. Increasing costs on shipping and delivering basic necessities like heating oil makes no sense, yet that is the direction we are heading under the current majority party. Second, my focus would be on energy costs. DEEP and PURA should focus their efforts towards finding cost effective and reliable sources of energy for Connecticut’s consumers. I am a strong advocate for expanding renewable energy but we need to recognize that the windmill project in New London is pure government corruption and waste. As in the past, I would continue to oppose the creation of new taxes. The Democrat majority has tried to implement a statewide property tax, new grocery taxes, a cell phone tax, and taxes on services like accounting and taking your dog or cat to the vet. Overspending drives the constant need for new revenues; I’ll continue to fight against wasteful pork barrel spending. This played a huge role in this year’s budget increase. The state must do whatever it can to ease the burden of inflation and I am the best equipped to do so.

2. If elected/re-elected, which issues (excluding the one you have described in Q1) would be your primary focus during your term?

Other issues are public safety, education, and energy. Regarding public safety, I would focus efforts to hire the best and brightest state troopers. Because of the ‘defund the police mentality’, we are down nearly 400 state troopers from where we should be. This makes Connecticut more dangerous – and recent crime statistics show rape and murder are up. I would also put an end to criminal-first policies and always put victims’ rights first. I believe in second chances and rehabilitation, but there comes a point when the state must protect the public from a repeat violent offender.

Our public schools are vital to the 23rd. They are a big reason why families move here and why our property values remain high. The people who know our schools and students best should be the ones in charge of curriculum. I would pull back state mandates and let our teachers teach to the students they have. Parents should also have rights in the classroom and be a part of the learning process.  There cannot be anymore COVID mandates infringing on our kids’ education – as President Biden said “The Pandemic Is Over”.  We also must do more to encourage youth to get into in-demand careers in the trades and STEM. I have championed adding financial literacy as an option for schools and creating recovery schools for students recovering from addiction. 

Regarding energy, the State of Connecticut made a grave error in handing control of our emissions and energy laws to California through SB 4. California has some of the highest gas costs (over $6/gallon!) and some of the highest cost, least reliable energy. It makes no sense to allow the California Air Resources Board, located 3000 miles away in a state with a population 10x our size with a completely different climate, to control what we do here. The state should be focused on diversifying energy and PURA/DEEP must balance environmental initiatives with cost. Unless the state gets energy costs down, there will be people freezing this winter. The mandates in SB 4, including the California takeover, will make your delivery fees higher.

3. Why are you running for this position?

I am running for a fifth term because I believe the residents of the 23rd deserve someone with dedication, experience, and the institutional knowledge to tackle major problems of the day.  We deserve a pragmatist with an independent mind, not an extremist with little experience outside of the partisan committee of a town. I am a proven listener with a proven record of bipartisanship – and we need more people in the legislature like that, not more zealots.. Expanding the current majority will only lead to higher costs and most residents here simply cannot afford that.

In my tenure in the legislature I have created bipartisan caucuses on clean energy and for our future. I received the Millennial Action Project’s “Rising Star Award” for my work reaching across the aisle. To me, it’s the policies that should matter, not political parties. If everyone had this view then we would be able to get a lot more accomplished. For me, this has been about public service and I’d like to continue to be a champion for the four towns within the district.

I have always tried to be a force for good and will continue to be if re-elected.  But, I need your support to get there. Regardless of what happens, it’s been an honor serving and I thank the wonderful people of the district for giving me that opportunity. 

Colin Heffernan (D): Candidate for House District #23

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Colin graduated magna cum laude from Tulane Law School in 2008, and after serving as a research clerk in our Superior Court, joined the Heffernan Legal Group where he’s practiced law in the community for 12 years. Through his experience as a general practice attorney he’s supported clients during their most difficult times, a unique perspective he’ll bring to serving his constituents. Colin served on the town of Old Saybrook Zoning Commission, currently chairs the Old Saybrook Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission as well as the Old Saybrook Aquifer Protection Agency and is on the Old Saybrook Education Foundation Board.

1. What is the most serious problem currently facing the state of Connecticut? Why is it the most serious problem? What would you do to help solve the problem?

Affordability/Combating Global Inflation: From the price of housing to energy costs, Connecticut can be a tremendously expensive place to live. If people cannot afford to live and work here, the state cannot thrive. We need to focus on finding a solution to the affordable housing crisis that will allow towns to fill their individual housing needs, and work towards a future where energy can be reliable, affordable and sustainable. These are hard issues that will take a great deal of study and diligence to tackle. Every time residents buy their groceries or fill up at the gas pump, they feel the effects of inflation.

Fortunately, our latest budget has put us in a fantastic position to address our affordability issues head on. Not only were we able to cut taxes in our latest budget, we fully funded our rainy day fund and paid billions of dollars towards our pension liabilities, which will save us hundreds of millions of dollars in the long run. We cannot squander the opportunity. As our State Representative, I will work with the Governor and the legislature to provide economic relief by stopping runaway health insurance costs, increasing affordable housing opportunities, and putting us on the path to an energy system that does not expose us to the wild swings in fuel prices that we are currently facing. 

2. If elected/re-elected, which issues (excluding the one you have described in Q1) would be your primary focus during your term?

  • Defending Reproductive Rights: My daughter is eight years old and it horrifies me to envision a world where she will have less bodily autonomy and fewer rights than my mother, my sister and my partner had when they were making their own family planning decisions. Reproductive rights are under attack by radical forces in Washington, D.C. and across the country. With the repeal of Roe v. Wade, I’m committed to enshrining protections for abortion at the state level, so abortion continues to be legal, accessible, and safe. I will advocate for improving sexual and reproductive health and rights for all people. Make no mistake, reproductive freedom is very much on the ballot this year. Clarence Thomas explicitly said so in his Dobbs concurrence and on October 19, Mike Pence promised to take his anti-choice agenda to “every state house in America”. I promise to fight that agenda every step of the way.
  • Climate Change: The scientific community is in agreement – climate change is an existential threat and the 23rd district has three towns on Long Island Sound, putting us on the front lines of sea level rise and extreme weather. As your next representative, I’m committed to fighting for an environmentally sustainable future, so we can leave the next generations with an hospitable planet. My priorities are: improving our infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of climate change; finding ways to transition our transportation and energy systems toward carbon-free options in an economically viable way, and leveraging state and federal resources to help people afford the most sustainable technology available.
  • Gun Safety: I believe the only solution to our gun violence epidemic is to keep assault weapons off the street and to close every loophole that allows guns to fall into the wrong hands. I’ll vote to preserve common sense gun control and ensure we do everything we can to save lives while at the same time preserving safe and legal gun ownership for responsible gun owners.

3. Why are you running for this position?

After being asked to run for State Representative earlier this spring, I did some research on our current representative’s voting record. I discovered that his voting record did not match his marketing materials and I feel that his extreme positions on women’s rights, climate change and gun safety are not representative of the 23rd District’s values. Actions speak louder than words and as your State Representative, I’ll fight to make Connecticut more affordable, defend fundamental rights, combat the effects of climate change and keep lethal weapons out of dangerous hands.

Martha Marx (D): Candidate for CT State Senate, 20th District

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Martha Marx has been a trusted local leader for decades. As a visiting nurse for over thirty years, she advocated for her patients. As a two term city councilor, she collaborated with her colleagues to bring meaningful change to the city she loved.  As a union president for over a decade, she fought for fair pay and better working conditions. And as a Waterford native, raising children in New London, she understands both the strengths and the improvements needed to make this district all it can be.  Martha Marx has never stopped listening to her neighbors and never will.

1.What is the most serious problem currently facing the state of Connecticut? Why is it the most serious problem? What would you do to help solve the problem?

The most serious problem facing our state is overall affordability, but especially with regards to housing.  The 20th district is booming with employment opportunities from Electric Boat to healthcare to education and social services.  We will not be able to attract the most skilled work force without having workforce housing. Seniors who have worked in our district their entire lives find it difficult to stay in the 20th in a home they can care for and afford. We must make this an urgent priority, working with the municipalities and the corporations to find solutions to our housing needs.

2. If elected/re-elected, which issues (excluding the one you have described in Q1) would be your primary focus during your term?

 Affordability will be my primary focus. Not only in housing but in healthcare, taxes, and transportation. We must continue to fund the public transportation system to help take cars off the roads and make our lives cleaner, more affordable and more efficient.  We must work on healthcare costs, offer a public option and continue to make prescriptions more affordable. The regressive car tax needs to be updated. School lunches should be free for all students, not only to make families budgets go further but also to ensure that all children have access to a healthy meal at school each day. All of this is possible while we continue to keep our rainy day fund fully funded.

3. Why are you running for this position?

 I am running for state senate of the 20th district because I love the people of this district and I will be a strong advocate in Hartford. I have lived here almost my entire life. As a nurse, my first responsibility is being my patient’s advocate. I know the pulse of the district. I sit in constituents’ homes daily and listen to the concerns of seniors, veterans, people with developmental and physical disabilities and those with chronic disease including mental illness. I am in sober homes, senior housing, board and care homes, group homes, veterans housing and seniors homes struggling to age at home. I know I will be the voice of many when I get to Hartford.

Norm Needleman (D): Candidate (Incumbent) for CT State Senate, 33rd District

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State Senator Norm Needleman is the owner and CEO of Tower Laboratories and is the First Selectman of Essex. He is Chairman of the Energy and Technology Committee and serves on the Finance Committee and Transportation Committee. 

Senator Needleman brings Democrats and Republicans together to find common-sense solutions to our most challenging issues, from finding new approaches to clean energy generation to supporting legislation to clean our lakes and rivers. It’s why he is endorsed by the Independent Party.  He believes in Connecticut, and believes it is our responsibility to make it better for our generation, and for our children.

1. What is the most serious problem currently facing the state of Connecticut? Why is it the most serious problem? What would you do to help solve the problem?

The most serious problem facing Connecticut today is the economy. Thankfully Connecticut has seen nine consecutive months of job growth, but we’ve only recovered approximately 90% of the jobs lost during the depths of the COVID pandemic. We’ve got to continue to focus on growing our economy, through good paying jobs, a robust housing market and investing in education.  I will work to continue supporting our workforce pipelines, which provide workers with the training and skills they need to enter new industries and bolster their careers while simultaneously creating a pool of skilled workers for our local businesses. We also need to make sure that the structures that support our businesses sector and workforce are robust including ensuring that we have affordable and accessible childcare, affordable healthcare and a housing market that meets the needs of our workforce.

I will also continue to work to reduce some of the red tape that impacts business ownership and development in Connecticut. In 2021, I helped lead the passage of a bill updating the Transfer Act.  CT was one of only 2 states with a transfer statute, which was deeply cumbersome for businesses, hindered real estate development and was bad for the environment as it didn’t deal with issues of contamination until a property was transferred rather than in real-time.  I also advocated for the state to use $195 million in ARPA funds that we received from the federal government to support the Unemployment Trust Fund, which directly supports businesses and their workers.  We need to preserve our Main Streets and our core local town economies for the benefit of all residents.  

2. If elected/re-elected, which issues (excluding the one you have described in Q1) would be your primary focus during your term?

Energy affordability is one of the most direct issues facing families and businesses.  I’m committed to continuing my work as Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee to reduce costs for ratepayers while balancing grid reliability and helping our state continue its necessary transition to a clean energy future.   

Our electric sector was deregulated in the late 1990s, while many thought this would lead to lower costs and better service, our experience has shown that deregulation has been an abject failure. This became especially evident after tens of thousands of CT residents lost power for days after tropical storm Isaias. In response, I crafted the bipartisan Take Back Our Grid Act, that requires increased staffing, ensures customers receive $250 to compensate for spoiled food, and requires PURA to create low-income rates for our neighbors most in need.  The electric utilities have been held financially accountable, with record-breaking fines, which were returned to customers as credits on their bills.  After the shocking power grid failure in Texas, I focused on grid reliability. Championing legislation addressing resiliency through energy storage systems and requiring the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and electric companies to make plans to maintain reliable emergency/backup power for critical infrastructure.

In September, Eversource was required to reduce costs slightly; due to our state’s foresight in ensuring we utilize nuclear energy on top of natural gas. In 1979, Connecticut imposed a moratorium on new nuclear facilities, citing issues of long-term storage options for spent fuel.  Only two reactors remain operational, generating nearly 40 percent of our electricity, demonstrating that we need nuclear in the mix as baseload power, especially to contain costs as we move to a green energy future. I worked with Congressman Courtney to add funds to the federal budget to determine how to deal with spent fuel and passed the first bill in 43 years to slightly expand our nuclear options by exempting existing facilities from the moratorium. With the incredibly volatile natural gas market, the more we shift away from its use, costs will likely fall and more renewables will support the grid.


3. Why are you running for this position?

I founded my pharmaceutical manufacturing company over 40 years ago and have over 300 employees working for me.  I’ve always known that I wanted to take my skills from the business sector to serve my community. 

I have experience at the state and local levels, including two terms as State Senator and more than a decade as First Selectman of Essex, in addition to serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Economic Development Commission, the Valley Shore Emergency Communications Board and the Board of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. 

These experiences have been vital in informing the work I do in bringing people together to create common-sense solutions for some of the most complex issues facing our state. I’ve been crossing the district and back to hear from people directly and know what issues are most important to them. I’ve been working to help as many constituents as I can since my election, and every vote I take has the well-being of the 100,000 people I represent in mind. Sometimes that means making tough decisions, but it’s for the greater good throughout the state. Public service is my way of giving back to the communities that have given so much to me and my family for decades.  And it’s the honor of my lifetime to serve as your State Senator.