Patch Voters Guide: Special Election for District 148

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in the special election for the 148th General Assembly District.

The election will fill the post vacated by former State Rep. who was elected to State Senator from the 27th District in February.

Five candidates are vying for the seat, including: Dan Fox, John Mallozzi, Rolf Maurer, Charles Pia Jr., and Monique Thomas.

Patch sent each candidate a Q&A to give voters an idea of where they stand on important issues facing Stamford. Here are the responses from those who chose to participate. Maurer said he could not participate due to a family emergency. Mallozzi did not return a response to the Patch Q&A.

Here are responses from the three other candidates:

What do you think of Gov. Malloy's budget plan and what would you have done differently, if anything? What would you propose to reduce the budget deficit?

Pia: Governor Malloy has proposed numerous tax hikes, all of which need to be taken out of the picture. An increase in the gas tax will be horrible for the citizens. We already pay extremely high taxes on our gas, and the extra 3 cents per gallon will hurt families further. Additionally, the tax increases in sales tax, income tax as well as the elimination of the property tax credit are all direct attacks of those in Stamford and the 148th District. Our community is made of hard working middle class, and elderly who have lived here most of their lives. My family, friends and neighbors have already cut their spending down to bare minimums to survive and these new taxes will drive some of them to the point where they are going to have to leave. When that happens, we will have a smaller tax base, and the Democrats in Hartford will suggest we need to raise taxes again to make up for the lost revenue. That is the wrong cycle, the government needs to reduce spending, and become more efficient. Furthermore, we need to be worried about making sure businesses and jobs come to Connecticut, and a 10 percent corporate tax surcharge is not the answer. We need to ensure jobs are created, which will lead to employment and money in the economy, then spending and demand for goods and services. Ultimately, this cycle will lead to more jobs, and is the cycle we need to get Connecticut back on.

Thomas: Zero baseline budgeting.  I will propose, support and vote for priority legislation requiring that all state expenditures, set-asides, etc., are included in the one single budget. I will only propose, support and vote for a state budget that includes all state expenditures. That budget must be less than or equal to the sum of all actual state tax receipts for the prior fiscal year. I also would only support a state budget that is devoid of any borrowing, transfer credits from past rainy-day accounts, or any receipts, credits, payments, etc., from any federal stimulus programs. I will propose, support and vote for priority legislation that requires: transparency in state and local spending with independent external audits; and, requires prompt online posting of all state and local expenditures.

While we are looking to cut the budget there is proposed legislation to increase the numbers of participants in the collective bargaining pool.  I will not vote for this continued irresponsibility. There are numerous bills moving throughout the assembly that will increase spending if passed.  I will be a voice you can depend on to make sure these don’t pass. Public service pension benefits should be based on base salary. Encourage business owners to stay or individuals to start business in this state.  More income made means more taxes paid so the services our government can take responsible/constitutional care of will be funded.

Fox: The proposed budget is an attempt to balance the interests of various groups in order to reduce the massive deficit.  While I applaud the governor’s attempt to have these difficult times and the responsibility be shared by all, I would propose that the cuts be increased and the taxes be reduced. There are particular elements of the governor’s proposal that I believe to be unfairly detrimental to the people in the 148th District.  For example, the elimination of the property tax credit, the elimination of the tax-free shopping week and the imposition of sales tax on purchases of clothing and footwear under $50.  Specifically concerning proposed cuts to spending, I recognize and appreciate the cuts the governor is proposing, such as the reduction of state agencies that will result in a savings of about $10 million and see the idea of reducing the size of government to be a move in the right direction. During an election cycle it is very easy to proclaim a position that there would be no increase of taxes of any kind.However, I believe that this approach is overly simplistic. There is a distinction in my opinion between running for political office and subsequently taking the responsibility to govern.  An increase in state revenue through taxes may be necessary, but it should be the last resort.
I accept the concept that Gov. Malloy has put forward to balance the budget and reduce the deficit.  I simply believe there should be less of an emphasis on taxes and more of an emphasis on cutting state spending.  We need to address the state’s fiscal problems and create an economic climate that will foster job creation.  We need to pursue a solution to our state’s fiscal problems that will protect middle class families.

How would you work to improve education and what would your plan be to close the achievement gap?

Thomas: From the independent education audit results, I will work to reroute found money to Middle School Special Education programs to include a strengthening of autistic children programs.  I will continue my dialogues with teachers past and present to identify problems they face while doing their job.
The Education Cost Sharing formula that leaves Stamford in a very inequitable position is going to have to be resolved in the courts and could take years to unwind. The NAACP backed a proposed bill that gave up to a $10,000 tax credit to families that owned corporations for procuring a Catholic School education.  I can support legislation along this line. This is a sensible solution that allows the use of tax dollars to be used in a cost effective and efficient manner right now.  The family chooses a school private, public, magnet or charter school, etc., that they feel best meets their educational needs.  The schools compete amongst themselves.  Perceived quality of education is in the consumer’s hand.  Costs go down, quality goes up. Right now it is the governor who negotiates with union leadership.  The taxpayer, the teachers and the families are left out of the equation under current arrangements and so frustrations and anger amongst the most affected parties abound.  In contrast, the parents will have more control over what their kids learn by choice of curriculum.  Teachers who can teach to the level that parents and students need and want will be sought after. 

Fox: Education is the key to a community’s ability and sustainability. We must invest in our city’s educational infrastructure and focus on education serving as an answer to a safer and more balanced community. The Education Cost Sharing program (ECS) and how this program and formula relates to Stamford is a key to improving education in our community.  The formula has been modified repeatedly over the years through the efforts of the Stamford delegation. We can continue to do that to benefit our community on a short-term basis.  In addition, there is a plan in place for an overall review and revamping of the ECS formula in a manner that would be more equitable for municipalities like Stamford.  We must be part of that process to see to it that the formula is modified in a manner favorable to our community and schools.  I believe this can be achieved. In terms of closing the achievement gap that exists within Connecticut we need to focus on the gap as it exists within our individual district and schools. While securing funding for our schools should be a priority we also need to be sure that these funds when secured are being used properly. We need to increase the use of technology in the classroom setting and emphasize the use of literacy tutors, one-on-one group tutoring for math and early reading intervention.

Pia: Education in Stamford is a major topic on my mind, as it should be for anyone who truly cares about their community. Our children need the proper education and training in order for them to be able to succeed in the future. The are numerous options, however, Stamford is in the unfortunate situation of being considered part of Connecticut's "Gold Coast." Those in Hartford need to realize Stamford's demographics do not align with those of Fairfield County, but rather Waterbury, Danbury and the likes. Unfortunately, for funding from the state, when compared with those communities we perform well. Therefore, we are short changed on our funding from the state. It costs about $15,000 per year to educate one student in Stamford, and only $500 comes from the state level. We need to readdress the equation used to calculate the funding for each municipality, and take necessary steps from there. Additionally, Connecticut seems to give more funding to under-performing school districts in hopes of bringing them up, unfortunately it has not worked. We need to reward advancement and improvement even if it is only a slight improvement from the previous year, instead of cutting funding from performing schools. The current system will never create a great school system, instead our schools will meet somewhere in the middle. Our children deserve better, and I will be the voice in Hartford fighting for each student.

How would you propose bringing additional jobs to Stamford and attracting new businesses?

Fox: First and foremost, we need to provide for an affordable community in which individuals and families can reside. Unless we make efforts to protect middle working class families, additional jobs and new businesses will not come to Stamford. Secondly, we need to focus on a vision of Stamford and what this city can become in the future. On a small scale, there are proposals that can make our state and our community more business friendly. This would include increasing the tax credits available for job creation. We should encourage bonding for transportation-type projects, which we need in our community and which directly produce jobs. On a larger scale, one of the fastest growing industries in our country is the health and medical industry. In my opinion, the City of Stamford has great potential for developing this particular industry.  We are home to what is quickly becoming one of the most prominent regional hospitals in the area. When you are combining that with the academic and research capabilities available at the University of Connecticut based here in Stamford, we have the potential for enormous job development in that field and should embrace and further these job creation opportunities.

Pia: To attract businesses to Stamford we need to make the State of Connecticut a friendly environment to do business within. Connecticut has the rare distinction of being between two of the largest markets in the world, yet we rank last in job development, and the only state with negative job growth over the past 20 years. We are geographically between Boston and New York City. We have airports, trains and other transportation to make commutes and business travel extremely efficient. Connecticut needs to reject the 10 percent Corporate Tax surcharge and we need to allow tax credits to businesses that enter the state and create jobs. The opposition to this says we are allowing the companies to not pay their fair share. Although the company is getting a break, they are employing people who will pay income tax, and sales tax. The employees will use our restaurants, trains and other services.
Ultimately, by giving a slight break to corporations and enticing them to join our community we will add numerous jobs, not only within the company itself but in surrounding areas to accommodate their housing, transportation and other needs. Our vision should be to not raise taxes, but instead raise the tax base, and this will be the solution.

Thomas: Why do businesses flee the state and leave us jobless?  They not only leave the country they just leave Connecticut due to our tax and regulation environment.  When businesses can make more money elsewhere due to lower rates and regulation why would they stay or why would anybody be interested in setting up shop here? If everyone is collecting unemployment, living in subsidized housing or losing their homes, on all sorts of public assistance, who is left to pay the taxes to support the ever-growing needy?  
For starters, allow the sun-setting of the corporate 10 percent Connecticut tax.  Eliminate the Business Identity Tax.  Furthermore, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative program, Connecticut's version of Cap and Trade, is a seriously flawed and a disingenuous program sucking the lifeblood out of us.  I will continue to work with the legislators I have actively engaged for over the last six months to have Connecticut join the State of New Hampshire. They are the first of the original 10 states to extricate themselves from RGGI.  Furthermore, I will propose, support and vote for a gas tax holiday of 12-18 months eliminating a 41.9 cents/gallon burden.  Just think, some will even be able to afford to put gas in their cars to just look for work.  Cost of doing business all across the state will be dramatically reduced by just a few measures and the income to the state generated as a result of people working and having money to spend will be much to the benefit of all. 

What are your goals for Stamford this year?

Pia: The goals for Stamford this year should be to make sure our citizens are able to sustain their standard of living, and hopefully improve it. However, the current budget proposal in Hartford is going to make that impossible. Stamford residents have sacrificed enough, and have done their fair share in carrying the burden of the state and as their representative I will ensure their voices are heard in Hartford. Stamford needs to make sure their taxes are not raised, and that jobs are brought to the community to make sure our residents get back to work. Stamford is made up of hard working, proud people who want to get back to work and provide for their family the life they deserve. I will be the voice that brings that message to Hartford, and the jobs to Stamford. Also, Stamford's property tax has the potential to rise more, and although a local issue, I will fight against unfunded mandates from the state that ultimately will need to be paid by you, and increase your property taxes yet again.

Thomas: As a state, we are in a dire crisis. We are bankrupt. The return to American principles of fiscal responsibility, personal accountability, having streamlined governance that abides by the U.S. Constitution and allowing businesses to thrive on an even playing field free of crony-capitalism and overburdening regulations are the key to our state’s recovery and are my goals.
The way Stamford will be best served from Hartford is to:

• Stop the massive tax increases
• Get our out-of-control spending under control
• Work toward creating a job-friendly environment.

When we are all producing goods and services we can then buy goods and services.  When we get people back to work, we will all be able as a state and as individuals to buy the necessities and begin to pay down our debt, start saving for a rainy day and then make discretionary spending choices. Only then will we and can we be working together to deliver quality service at a reasonable price in both the private and public sector. Specifically I will propose, support and vote for legislation to require an independent education audit to any municipality that receives more money than it pays in.  I would recommend the misallocated and mismanaged funds to be refunded back in relationship to their ECS formula to municipalities such as Stamford. I would work to eliminate laws that increase local costs. I would recommend union laws declaring ‘passed practices’ be removed.

Fox: Quality education for our children, jobs for our people, and a successful economy are what I want for Stamford and constitute what I perceive to be achievable and viable goals in the coming year. Stamford and the rest of our nation is trying to move beyond what has been one of the most devastating economic times in the history of our country. At the state level as well as at the local level we need to get our financial house in order. We need to provide a government that can assist those in greatest need and help others to find employment so that our economy can once again grow and flourish. If we can get our economy back on track than the lives of our fellow citizens will improve and Stamford will thrive once again.