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. Election Day is Nov. 5.
Q: What do you think are the greatest challenges facing the district right now, and how will you help address them? Be as specific as possible.
Etan Hirsch, Democrat, House District 119
Etan Hirsch
There are several challenges facing the 119th District, with three in particular being those that district residents have repeatedly reported to me.
The first challenge concerns the high inflation that we have all been experiencing since COVID reached our shores in 2020. Inflation is a hidden tax and one that is experienced by everyone no matter one’s political affiliation. Although inflation is best addressed at the federal level, such as through raising interest rates, it can be addressed at the state and local level through enforcement measures, such as civil and criminal prosecution, directed to those who artificially inflate prices in an attempt to take advantage of an inflationary environment. Another means of addressing rising prices is to reduce the production costs of goods, as such costs are passed on to consumers. One such cost is the cost of employee health insurance. To address this cost, we need to seriously consider “opening up” the Connecticut health insurance market to out-of-state insurers who can compete for Connecticut business. Such competition will lead to lower costs and a better insurance product. We need to also seriously consider allowing legally-formed entities the ability to “pool” their members into a group plan which provides negotiating power with respect to offered insurance plans. And, at the same time, we need to provide tax breaks and incentives to businesses that provide comprehensive health care to their employees.
The second challenge is that we have a supply crisis with respect to our housing stock. We all know that there is not enough housing, of all manner and types, to meet consumer demand. Since 2020, the cost of housing has far outpaced the rate of inflation and has far outpaced the rate of wage increases. Many citizens have reported to me that their children cannot afford to live in the town in which they grew up. In addition, many seniors have shared with me their belief and concern that there is a lack of housing in which they can downsize should the need arise. In my opinion, the solution to this supply crisis is that we must build our way out of it, and I support reasonable and necessary modifications to the tax code to incentivize developers and builders to construct all manner and types of housing to address the needs of the market.
The third challenge concerns shoreline erosion. This issue is one which pertains to the preservation of our territorial integrity. Climate change is real. Earth is becoming warmer and storms are becoming more powerful. A lot of the discussion and political discourse surrounding climate change focuses on its cause, be it man-made carbon emissions or the natural heating-cooling cycle of our planet. My position is that the cause is immaterial because whether it is caused by Thing A, Person B or Subject C, the effects of climate change must be addressed. Shoreline erosion is caused by climate change, and must be addressed through the funding of infrastructure projects such as: 1) the placement of groynes, wall-like structures that extend from beach to the sound; 2) the infusion/replenishment of sand on a beach; 3) the construction of offshore breakwaters, such as can be seen when one approaches Port Jefferson on the ferry, that act as a wave barrier, and; 4) the construction and maintenance of seawalls. Such an undertaking will require funding and, perhaps, a federal-state partnership and collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers. This must be addressed sooner than later because for those of us who live near or enjoy the Milford shoreline, there is massive flooding affecting the residents and shoreline community whenever there is a moderate to major storm.
These are three of the many oft-raised issues and concerns that the residents of the 119th District have shared with me in the course of this campaign. I look forward to addressing these issues as your next state representative.