Crime, abortion and the economy: Eastern Connecticut state rep. candidates debate
NORWICH — On Wednesday, the major party candidates for two state representative seats with Eastern Connecticut districts squared off at Norwich Free Academy.
Wednesday's debate included the 46th district, with Democrat Derell Wilson and Republican Robert Bell, and the 139th district, with Democrat Kevin Ryan and Republican Mark Adams. Different questions were asked to different sets of opponents, alternating between each race.
The debate was sponsored by the Southeastern Connecticut League of Women Voters, NAACP Norwich Branch, and the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce.
Candidates for the 47th District, Democrat David Nowakowski and Republican Doug Dubitsky, were also set to debate. Dubitsky did not show up at the venue. Nowakowski appeared on stage, but did not participate in the debate.
Workforce development
Ryan said that there’s been a lot of work with job training in the area, including community college continuing workforce investment, along with free community college programs, which can get people into high-paying jobs.
Adams said there needs to be an earlier start for job training, as he remembers taking industrial arts classes in middle school. The training needs to, in an age-appropriate way, push them into a career they love, and not wait for college. In turn, he hopes more people can stay and pass on their trades for the futures of both their families and the community.
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“If we can nourish an entrepreneurial mindset in children, we can develop them into being small business owners and independent business owners themselves,” he said.
Ryan added that the state’s technical school system reaches people at a younger age, and those students have “wide-open opportunities to the new kinds of industry in the state.”
Youth and non-violent crime
Bell said youth charged with non-violent crimes shouldn’t be charged as adults. Reflecting on his own childhood, he said part of preventing juvenile crime includes giving them things to do, like basketball leagues, and having a community space, be it a dedicated community center or using the schools to fill that purpose.
Wilson agreed with Bell. He also emphasized the importance of non-profits in this picture and said there needs to be a variety of activities to appeal to a variety of children, to “help them find what makes them feel great.” Mentoring and accessibility are important parts of this, he said.
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Same-sex marriage and abortion
Adams and Ryan agree on both points, supporting both. Adams elaborated and said he’ll support the Pride community and said healthcare decisions should be between a woman and her doctor. Adams also said Democrats and Republicans up and down the state-level ticket support these points.
Ryan said he voted for the state’s same-sex marriage legalization in 2008 and has performed at least one same-sex marriage as a justice of the peace. Ryan also said that medical decisions are between patients and the professionals they choose to see.
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Protecting Eastern Connecticut from storms
Wilson pointed out that major storms hit Norwich and affect the majority of residents. Infrastructure matters the state can help with include roads and drainage, to give people more confidence in purchasing properties and living in the city.
Bell also agreed with more infrastructure investments.
Regionalizing trash management
Ryan, as a member of the General Assembly’s Environment Committee, is aware of issues from the July closure of the trash incinerator in Hartford. A lot of waste is now being shipped out of state, he said, adding that investment in other waste management facilities, and more mutual cooperation between communities is needed.
Adams said people need to start with composting and recycling at home, to reduce trash sent to landfills. This said, further solutions for handling trash management can be an opportunity to create more jobs.
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Affordable housing
Bell said the eviction moratorium and inflation has impacted the housing market resulting in landlords, including himself, taking the brunt of the burden. Certain state policies, like requiring people to make at least three times the rent as income, and two months rent as a deposit, can be a barrier.
Wilson said accessibility is important, especially as Norwich features an aging housing stock, and older people selling homes can’t afford to fix it up beforehand. There needs to be co-operation with financial institutions to both help people become first-time homebuyers, and teach them the financial literacy to do so.
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Bell pointed out that some assistance programs already exist, but he doesn’t want new programs to result in increased taxes. He also wants to change regulations so that if someone could afford a certain payment as a mortgage, then they can afford it as a rent.
Police Accountability Act and healthcare
Adams and Ryan were asked for their legislative priorities.
In the aftermath of the shooting of three Bristol police officers, two of them dying, Adams wants to repeal the Police Accountability Act so departments can have the resources they need to serve. Adams, who comes from a law enforcement family, said the Democrat-favored act “has handcuffed our law enforcement officials instead of handcuffing bad guys.” There’s also been too much leniency toward convicts, he said.
Ryan wants to focus on job training for a full workforce, and looking at the economy. Healthcare affordability and mental healthcare for all, including children, is important, he said.
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Taxes
Bell suggested the state's surplus be used to pay down pensions or used as tax relief, or other matters. He said a plan needs to be developed on a well-informed and apolitical basis to help the state reduce taxes.
“We’re taking too much money from all of us,” Bell said.
Adams also said taxes and inflation have been out of control, making life in the state difficult.
Wilson said the economy is still in flux, so there shouldn’t be any going overboard in the surplus. He agrees with Bell that there needs to be a bipartisan plan on taxes. He also suggested placing taxing caps on senior citizens and disabled individuals.
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Early voting and accepting the results of the election
Ryan said he has faith in the election process. He also supports the use of absentee ballots, as there are people who work multiple jobs and may not make it to the polls on election day. He said that voting shouldn’t be difficult.
Adams said he’d accept election results, but he is not a fan of early voting. He said he’s open to legislation making employers give time for employees to vote during the day.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Taxes, housing and more as state rep. candidates debated Oct. 19
