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.
Kathy Kennedy is the incumbent Republican state representative in District 119.
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?
Kathy Kennedy
This fall, we have a great responsibility: to exercise our right to vote. While visiting a large majority of the voters in the 119th District, here in Milford and Orange, I have had the pleasure of engaging with families, seniors, veterans and so many residents who proudly serve our community. Each and every one of these conversations has provided me with the necessary ingredients and perspectives to confidently answer what the greatest challenges will be in the next two years, and more importantly, how we must address them.
The most prominent issue which has become increasingly familiar to all Connecticut residents is the cost of living in our state. The effects of inflation and unnecessary state taxes has bombarded residents; making the cost of things as simple as produce, to more complicated things, like health care, uncontrollably skyrocket.
I know that the best solution to counteract record costs is not to raise more taxes, but to employ smarter spending techniques. By eliminating unreasonable costs like the highway use tax, meals tax, and reducing income tax and sales taxes, we can finally end the constant financial squeeze our state unfairly places on our families.
Additionally, as New Englanders, we are very aware of the potential severity of our winter weather, which is why now is the time to prioritize reducing heating oil and utility costs for all of our families. As more energy companies apply for rate increases as we exit the pandemic, I plan to proactively expand energy affordability plans towards middle- and working-class families who deserve more accessibility as balancing two jobs becomes more common.
What is important to remember is that if we make our state more affordable, we are also solving a variety of other state issues, most importantly, the rising rate of crime. Regular criminal activity must remain rare, especially in our own community. Following a recent heartbreaking situation involving Connecticut law enforcement officers, the first step to reducing crime is to revisit the flawed police accountability bill.
Crime stems from economic downturns as well as in times where our police and first responders are unable to fully execute their duties without unreasonable regulations. Alongside this, I look forward to fighting for the removal of certain violent crimes from being eligible for clean slate criminal record erasure, which can easily help dangerous criminals reintegrate themselves in safe communities.
Although these two issues continue to impact residents throughout the state, issues within our district, such as affordable housing, will also remain at the forefront of my platform. The time to conduct an open and transparent discussion on affordable housing is overdue. Voters deserve to know that legislation on affordable housing commonly benefits builders at the expense of the community. I will work to introduce new strategies that protect community and property value over the financial gain of those who construct affordable housing recommended at the state level.
Maintaining local control of our family rights and safety within the 119th District of Milford and Orange depends on having strong representation of who we are as a community. That is why district issues that concern education are equally important to me.
During the pandemic, many of our educators and parents were left behind at the state level, which is why I have fought for more active parental involvement in public education and the curriculum our children learn. With my experience, I will continue to stimulate more state and municipal government collaboration by proposing value-driven policy to preserve quality in our state and local public schools.
As I previously stated, these are some of the most echoed concerns of my supportive constituents throughout this recent campaign season, yet they only represent a fraction of our district’s desires. This Nov. 8, I challenge you recognize how my original motivation to run for state representative, only four years ago, still motivates me today: I want to make your voices heard. This Election Day, let me be your voice.