The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce

in conjunction with the

Valley Board of Realtors
present

Meet the Candidates Forum

sponsored by

Thursday, October 21, 2010

PROGRAM

Welcome this morning’s forum which allows Candidates for the General Assembly to share their ideas with the
Valley business community in an informal setting.

To help us frame the discussion today, we invited the candidates to submit a response to two questions:

1. What is your plan for balancing the state budget in the new fiscal year and beyond?
2. How would you make Connecticut a better place to create and retain jobs?

The responses can be found at the back of this program.

 State Senate Candidates
17th District
Joe Crisco
1205 Racebrook Road
Woodbridge, CT 06525
www.joecrisco.com

Tamath Rossi
100 General Patton Drive
Naugatuck, CT 06770
www.rossiforsenate.com

21st District
Kevin Kelly
240 York Street
Stratford, CT 06615
www.kellyforstatesenate.com

James Miron
77 Lenox Avenue
Stratford, CT 06615
http://jimmironforsenate.com

32nd District
Rob Kane
301 Kimberly Avenue
Watertown, CT 06795
www.robkaneforsenate.com
 State Representative Candidates

104th District Shelton, CT 06484

Linda Gentile
158 Hodge Avenue 114th District
Ansonia, CT 06401
Themis Klarides
Mary Porter 23 East Court
314 Olivia Street Derby, CT 06418
Derby, CT 06418
www.maryporterforctstaterep.com Joshua Hershman
26 Richard Sweet Drive
Woodbridge, CT 06528
http://site.hershman2010.com/
105th District
Theresa Conroy 122nd District
177 Skokorat Street
Seymour, CT 06483
Lawrence Miller
60 Peace Acre Lane
Len Greene Jr.
Stratford, CT 06614
10 Roosevelt Drive
Seymour, CT 06483
Cheryl Jansen
http://lengreenejr.com/
22 Strawberry Lane
Shelton, CT 06484
http://jansenforstaterep.homestead.com/
113th District
Jason Perillo 131st District
454 Coram Avenue
Shelton, CT 06484
David Labriola
http://jasonperillo.com/
39 Briarwood Road
Naugatuck, CT 06770
Elaine Matto
88 Audubon Lane
 State Senate Candidate Responses
21st District

Kevin Kelly

What is your plan for balancing the state budget in the new fiscal year and beyond?
I believe that business creates jobs and not the government. Our candidacy was endorsed by the Connecticut Business & Industry
Association. This is the only endorsement our campaign accepted because putting Connecticut back to work and creating the
environment in which to do so is the most important job of the next General Assembly.
We need to reduce the cost of doing business in Connecticut. We need to force government to live within its means and spend only
what it can afford. To do so, we must cut state spending until the budget balances without borrowing. We must not accept the
status quo, but evaluate the way the state does business and investigate more efficient ways to provide the same or better services
at a lower cost, just like you do in business. As Chairman of the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging I have real world
experience that proves a private/public partnership can provide better quality government services at a lower cost to the taxpayer.
We just need to be open to a new way of doing government business based in common sense solutions focused on what is
important to our families and business: our children, our jobs, better education and protection of our seniors.
Finally, we need to recognize that government itself is too big and has become a special interest. We need to reduce the
government workforce, consolidate state agencies and require state employees to pay their fair share of healthcare and pension
costs.

How would you make Connecticut a better place to create and retain jobs?
To make Connecticut a better place to create and retain jobs we must first change the culture in Hartford that views business as a
problem and a bottomless pit which it can continually tax.
I do not believe you are under-taxed. I believe government is addicted to spending and we must stop that addition. High taxes are
killing jobs in Connecticut, by forcing government to live within its means; we will reduce the tax burden on families and business
and put people back to work. As a small business owner who created jobs in our region, I’ll stand up to the tax and spend politicians
in Hartford who created the mess we are in. I will start by encouraging existing businesses to stay in Connecticut and grow here.
Next I would focus on reducing the cost of doing business in Connecticut by cutting spending and wasteful programs; reducing taxes
on families and business; investing in business to create jobs; repealing unfunded mandates that increase local property taxes;
eliminate regulations that chase jobs out of state; and, finally, invest in our economic infrastructure like education, training, roads
and transit.

32nd District

Rob Kane

What is your plan for balancing the state budget in the new fiscal year and beyond?
My plan to balance the state budget is highly complicated but can also be simply described as a problem of spending. Too often in
the Legislature we discuss the revenue side of the equation yet hardly ever discuss the spending side. Your members have had to
curtail spending, we in our own households have had to do the same, why can't the state?

How would you make Connecticut a better place to create and retain jobs?
As far as creating and retaining jobs, we need to provide business with less regulation, less taxes, and more incentives to create jobs.
Tax credits, access to capital, and lower energy costs will go a long way to get our economy going again.
 State Representative Candidate Responses
104th District

Mary Porter

What is your plan for balancing the budget in the new fiscal year and beyond?
My Plan to balance the budget first comes from my common sense commitment that I have made to the people of Connecticut.1. I
would reduce Governmental spending by reducing the size of government. 2. Wherever possible I would reduce spending back to
2008 levels. 3. I would freeze the pay for all state employees, instead of the 5% increase that is received every year this will save
$185 Million each year. 4. I would reduce the pay of all our elected officials and agency heads by 10%. 5. I would reduce hidden pots
of bond money that remain available every year. 6. I would do away with the unconstitutional taxpayer funded campaign program
this would save the Connecticut tax payer a minimum of $20 million each year. I would eliminate useless social service programs that
do not offer a true solution to the problems it is supposed to service. 7. I would transition the state pension program to a 401k style
program for all new state employees; this will be a program much like the private sector programs that is offered by employers. I
also propose to spend no more than what we make and to borrow only what we can pay back. I also offer the solution of doing more
with less. These solutions I offer will take some sacrificing; also we will have to tighten our belts, but we have to fix what is wrong
before we can go forward in the future we have to reduce the 270% increase in governmental spending of the past 20 year.

How would I make Connecticut a better place to create and retain Jobs?
To make Connecticut a better place to create and retain jobs my first line of business will be to repeal the entity tax to businesses in
Connecticut because I think just to have a business in Connecticut no small or large business should have to pay extra for just having
a business here in our great state. I will fight to add a more sizeable employment creation tax. I will reprioritize bonding to fund
other employment formation this ease some of the frustration caused by oversized government in Hartford which deters financially
viability and job creation in Connecticut. Because of the Democratic majority which continues to endorse their antagonistic guiding
principles that discourages new business altogether from relocating to our state. I will bring common sense and smart growth
principles to Hartford to creating and retaining more jobs. This concept is a common sense personal belief; whereas; we should have
all the government we need not the government the Democratic Super Majority wants.

105th District

Len Greene, Jr.

What is your plan for balancing the state budget in the new fiscal year and beyond?
As we all know the current fiscal situation facing Connecticut is very bleak. Our state is facing a deficit of over $3 billion, and that
number is not getting any lower. Connecticut is dealing with high unemployment rates and more and more businesses are leaving
for greener pastures in other states. To make matters worse, our current deficit projections don’t include an even larger problem on
the horizon, which is our unfunded liability. According to recent projections Connecticut’s state pension fund will run out of money
in 9 years. All of this adds up to what will likely be the worst budget cycle this state has ever seen. It’s going to require many
difficult decisions and many alternate avenues, some of which have never seen serious consideration in Hartford.

As we’ve already seen in many of our local municipalities the state is going to have no choice but to cut numerous department
budgets in order to pare down the rampant spending. This must include state employee contracts, which make up a large share of
the total expenses paid out. State agencies and programs must be reexamined to determine whether or not they should continue to
operate as they are currently. Consolidating state agencies, especially those with similar or redundant services, will help the state to
reduce its administrative and operational costs substantially.

Privatizing certain state functions can also yield significant savings and create new opportunities for local businesses. I’m a big
believer that the more the government tries to do, the less it does well. Private companies have both the expertise and the
motivation to maximize their level of efficiency and should be relied upon to handle certain state services. Our state government
should only concern itself with core functions, leaving all other services to private industry.
Len Greene, Jr. continued
State borrowing must also be controlled, and we must absolutely avoid using bonding or securitization for operational expenses.
This unfortunately was not the case during the last budget cycle, when the state opted to securitize over $1 billion to pay for
operational expenses. We already have some of the highest per capita debt ratios in the country, so it is vital that we reevaluate
how and why we borrow at the state level and institute bonding reform.

Finally I must address an issue that typically garners the most attention during election season, and that is the issue of taxes. The
majority in Hartford has consistently operated for 3 decades under the presumption that Connecticut has a revenue problem. Year
in and year out they have pushed large scale increases in spending and paid for it on the backs of employers, businesses, and regular
people. My contention is that Hartford has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Increasing taxes, whether they are directed
through corporate surcharges, license fees, income taxes, or property taxes, cannot be an option right now. The people of this state
cannot afford to lose another dime to government, and the businesses that are already here cannot grow and create new jobs when
Hartford continuously takes a bigger piece of the pie. In this economic climate the legislature must cut spending and shrink state
government, not increase its revenue stream. Any attempt to do so would simply be irresponsible.

How would you make Connecticut a better place to create and retain jobs?
The business climate here in Connecticut has deteriorated at such a rate that our largest private employer recently stated publicly
that it is cheaper to do business “anyplace outside of Connecticut”. Unfortunately this bit of news was largely ignored in the
legislature, which is consistent with the prevailing attitude in Hartford that businesses are the problem and should be taxed at a
higher level. As business owners you know that jobs cannot be created out of thin air and require profits. The attitude in Hartford
that businesses are too greedy not only alienate business owners within the state but also directly result in higher costs and lower
profits through taxation, regulation, and mandates. This does not address the other costs of doing business affected by the high cost
of energy, transportation, and local property taxes.

Businesses in our state must be given the opportunity to maximize their profit levels in order to grow. To help this process I believe
we must decrease the cost of doing business here in the state. This will require eliminating mandates and unnecessary regulations
on the business community, stabilizing the energy markets, and reducing the unfunded mandate burden currently facing
municipalities. The costs of these unfunded mandates are simply passed on to residents and businesses in the form of higher
property taxes. Additionally new incentives are needed to attract new business to the state and to fuel growth.

The bottom line is that government has to stop using business as a scapegoat for many of the problems that are created on Capitol
Hill, in Hartford, or in our town halls. Government cannot create jobs but can stop them from being created. If we give businesses
the necessary tools and get out of the way, then we will spark a real stimulus here in the state.

113th District

Elaine Matto

What is your plan for balancing the state budget in the new fiscal year & beyond?
The standard response from every politician is to cut waste, streamline agencies, and cut benefits. But the truth is that the budget
cannot be balanced just by cuts and efficiencies. Painful decisions will have to be made. Everything will be on the table: State
employee benefits, staffing numbers, programs, and yes, revenues. Making the State a better place to create and retain jobs will
require public investment as outlined below. Sometimes the best investment is efficiency, but it’s not magic.

How would you make CT a better place to create and retain jobs?
Pass a comprehensive energy bill, such as was passed and vetoed last year. The bill would have lowered electricity rates, as well as
provided incentives for green energy technologies and loans to municipalities, individuals and businesses for energy efficiency
improvements.

Roadblocks to new and existing businesses created by State red tape must end.

Top notch education for children—and adults advancing their credentials—must be a priority. But then the State must also create
incentives for the development of high tech businesses, and manufacturing.
Elaine Matto continued
Help businesses reduce the cost of health insurance by passing a Pooling Bill (also passed and vetoed last session) to allow small
businesses to buy the same insurance that State employees have. Move forward with Sustinet to further enhance the State’s
position with regard to changes coming with the Federal health care law.

114th District

Joshua Hershman

What is your plan for balancing the state budget in the new fiscal year & beyond?
The budget needs to be examined through a fresh lens and, after consultation with various community based organizations,
community leaders and constituents, surgical cuts may have to be made. We also need to be sure that Connecticut is maximizing its
revenue sources. For example, other New England States realize a much higher return of federal money as a percent of federal taxes
that are paid in by its citizens than Connecticut. This issue needs to be examined and, if possible, more Federal money has to come
to Connecticut to help balance the budget. Any actions which the legislature takes to cut expenditures or increase revenue have to
be done very carefully so as to not have a negative impact on the already fragile business community in Connecticut. Sunset
provisions should be used so that the legislature is forced to periodically review their actions. These simple steps can go a long way
in creating a balanced budget for today and our future.

How would you make CT a better place to create and retain jobs?
Creating jobs begins with incentivizing businesses to come to Connecticut, or stay in Connecticut and grow in Connecticut.
Connecticut needs to become a more desirable place to own and operate a business. This can be accomplished, in part, through a
more favorable tax structure, especially for small and start up businesses, and implementing innovative programs such as providing
subsided health care for small businesses. Also, we need to work to lower the energy costs for businesses. Connecticut businesses
pay some of the highest energy costs in the country and we should examine alternatives, including the use of alternative energy
sources, to lower energy costs for businesses. Another issue for businesses, business owners and employees in Connecticut, is that
Connecticut needs to be a place where people want to live and work. We need to improve our State’s infrastructure and maintain a
program of quality public education. We need to have an extensive business base in Connecticut so that our brightest and best
students have the opportunity to stay and work in Connecticut. That is good for Connecticut and good for business.

122nd District

Cheryl Jansen

What is your plan for balancing the state budget in the new fiscal year and beyond?
First, I want to see cuts in spending without jeopardizing the necessary programs for those most at risk, children and the elderly who
depend on those programs for their most basic needs. The current budget relied on a one-time infusion of federal funds to work. We
have to factor that in to the next budget. We had a comfortable rainy day fund which is now gone. Planning for the future must
include replenishing the rainy day fund as well. The task ahead is enormous.

Our overall economy is at best fragile with some signs of improvement. There are no quick and easy answers.
State government expanded over the years we enjoyed prosperity. 62% of revenue to run the state comes primarily from personal
tax with 26.5% from sales and use tax. Our state is dependent on property taxes to pay for education. In the current economy
raising taxes is not an option to fix our problems. Programs have to be re-evaluated and the size of government has to be reduced.
The University system is one place we can start. Reducing, centralizing and eliminating administration costs across the system would
help. Health and Human Services (Medicaid) is 34% of our General Fund Budget. Eliminating Medicaid fraud and abuse which drives
up costs must be a priority. State worker pensions and health care costs are another burden on tax dollars. Creating a two tier
system to get these costs under control will help in the long term. In the short term we must eliminate departments or positions
that are redundant or can be merged for greater efficiency.

I believe we can use this time as an opportunity to make government leaner and more efficient.
Cheryl Jansen continued
How would you make Connecticut a better place to create and retain jobs?
Growing up in Bridgeport I recall a time when local factories created the products we consumed along with a healthy working and
middle class throughout the area. Those jobs long ago moved to countries that sadly pay low wages and exploit workers many who
are children. We must insure that the jobs we have and will create don’t leave in the future as they did in the past. We must create
a climate that encourages and supports business development and growth and encourages long term relationships and investment
in our state and our communities.

Creating incentives for businesses to stay and grow in Connecticut must be a part of our plan going forward. Reducing the costs of
doing business in our state must be one of the incentives. There is a great deal of hope and excitement that the solution to our
problems lies in jobs that will be created in the small business sector. When I think of small business the image of a mom and pop or
family business comes to mind or an entrepreneur who has a great idea and is struggling on a shoestring budget to succeed.

The SBA definition of small business is less than 500 employees and $6 million in sales receipts for most retail and service industries.
This isn’t my idea of small business that will get the economy moving. I think the creation of small business tiers that define and
serve the needs of small businesses and separate them from big operations with 500 employees is needed. By creating different
levels of incentives the little guy with a great idea can put it to work and family businesses can continue to grow and prosper. All
businesses need cash to grow and can’t get it. We need programs that invest in businesses of all sizes to encourage them to expand
and hire. The fear of risk is inhibiting growth and stalling the economy.

We have to develop a strategy to sell Connecticut with its highly skilled and educated workforce, great schools and quality of life to
bring jobs to the state. We have to clean up Brownfields and reclaim land for business development. We need to continue on the
path of Smart Growth and create an infrastructure that can support future development.
We need to set a goal of 100% retention of the jobs we have today. We need a legislature that is responsive to the needs of
business large and small and recognizes that growing our economy is a collaborative partnership.

I think I’m the right person for the job and I am asking for your vote.