The Milford-Orange Times is continuing its election-year tradition of asking the candidates to respond to questions about what they would do for the residents of Milford and Orange if voters elect them. This special section features the responses from the candidates. Election Day is Nov. 8.
Charles Ferraro is the incumbent Republican state representative for District 117.
Question: What do you think the greatest challenges for the district will be in the next two years, and how will you help address them?
Charles Ferraro
It is a great honor to serve and represent the people of the 117th District in Milford, Orange and West Haven. I cherish this opportunity and take great pride in the work that we have done – together – to make our community a better place. In our conversations at the door, at town hall events and throughout town, it is clear there are several issues that are most concerning to residents in the 117th District and I am confident in our ability to overcome them. As your representative in Hartford, I will never take that responsibility lightly.
Unfortunately, Connecticut’s cost of living has left residents and families who are already struggling with record inflation and rising costs to make difficult financial decisions. With autumn in full swing and a cold winter approaching, folks are realizing that the increased cost of their utilities, like home heating oil, will pose yet another serious concern. I believe that the affordability of living in Connecticut, especially the cost of energy and utilities, is the greatest challenge facing residents of the 117th District over the next two years.
Connecticut has the sixth-highest utility rates in the country, and they have gone up almost 80 percent since just last year. Inflationary policies at home, and international conflict abroad, contribute to the cost increases you are shouldering, and these taxpayer burdens are disproportionately affecting our most vulnerable neighbors, including seniors on fixed incomes and working-class families.
I proudly support policies like a permanent cut in the gas tax, currently in effect until Dec. 31, which provides immediate relief for you and your family. As the ranking member on the Energy & Technology Committee, my imperative has always been to balance our state’s renewable energy goals with cost-effective measures that prioritize affordability and emphasize our commitment to sustainability. I believe that this path forward, with the right leadership to implement it, will be effective in mitigating energy costs that are making it unaffordable to live in Connecticut.
We are in the midst of a statewide crisis in which residents have postponed, foregone or are insufficiently filling their oil tanks in an effort to cut costs. This also poses a clear risk to safety, due to concerns of build-up and expired fuel. This is alarming and I see it as a grave challenge for our community.
Earlier this year, I joined Connecticut House and Senate Republicans in calling for additional relief from the rising costs on home heating oil through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP is a federal program that funds the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, which many folks throughout Connecticut and in our district rely on to heat their homes. This year, federal funds for the program were reduced by 40 percent (or $50 million), despite an increase in participation by 5 percent. We proposed allocating unspent federal dollars, to the tune of almost $80 million, from the Invest Connecticut fund to replace these cuts. Sadly, our amendment fell on deaf ears. The failure to act on this important relief measure was a betrayal of our most in-need residents who have been consistently disregarded by the majority party’s decisions on this issue.
I am especially worried about the negative impacts this decision is having on seniors living on fixed incomes. It is imperative, as community members and in my role as a legislator, to serve our senior population. I have heard from so many seniors that inflation, especially on utility costs, is causing them severe financial hardship and many are wondering if they can afford to live out their retirement here. I will always work to ensure that these residents are accounted for when establishing statewide goals for renewable, cost-effective energy policies.
I am honored to have served as state representative for the 117th District for four terms and am grateful to have your support in this election. Please make a plan to vote on Nov. 8 and I look forward to being your voice in Hartford again in 2023 and 2024.