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.
Ray Collins III, Republican, State House District 117
Ray Collins III
A: Over the past several months, I have personally knocked on nearly every door in the 117th District, which covers parts of Milford, Orange and West Haven. It has been an incredible experience meeting neighbors and hearing directly about the issues you believe to be the most important this election.
The overwhelming concern I’ve heard from most residents is the high cost of living in Connecticut. As someone who has lived in Connecticut my entire life, I completely understand the frustrations that come with trying to make ends meet in one of the most expensive states in the country.
A recent report produced by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association found that Connecticut is the ninth most expensive state in the nation when it comes to the general cost of living. Furthermore, for housing, Connecticut is ranked as the 10th most expensive state. These statistics represent real struggles that families, seniors and small business owners face daily.
As a homeowner and someone who works closely with small business owners, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be to make a living here. The burden of high taxes and expensive utilities leaves too many people struggling to stay afloat. We need to make Connecticut a more affordable place to work, live and retire.
So, how do we begin to address this affordability crisis? I believe the solutions are straightforward.
First, we need to support structural spending reforms and maintain the state’s spending and bonding caps. These measures are critical to preventing tax increases and reducing our long-term debt obligations. By controlling state spending, we can create a more sustainable budget that doesn’t rely on constant tax hikes.
Second, we need to tackle the issue of high energy costs. Connecticut residents pay some of the highest electricity rates in the nation. A significant portion of these costs come from public policy mandates passed down to customers through their monthly utility bills. This simply isn’t fair. Lawmakers need to prioritize state spending and move these programs into the general fund rather than forcing electric customers to bear the burden month after month.
Let’s also address inflation, which continues to erode the purchasing power of hard-working families. As your representative in Hartford, I will fight to roll back the sales tax expansion, cut the highway use and gas taxes and introduce a state child tax deduction. These changes will provide real relief and put more money back into the pockets of Connecticut residents.
Crime is another major concern on the minds of voters. As the former chair of the West Haven Police Commission, I spent 14 years working closely with police officers, community organizations and local elected officials to address crime at the community level. During that time, I witnessed firsthand the importance of supporting our law enforcement officers and giving them the tools they need to do their jobs effectively.
Since the passage of recent anti-policing laws in Hartford, criminals have become emboldened. Many feel that they can’t be stopped, and when they are, our court system provides them with second or third chances, allowing them back onto the streets to commit more crimes. This revolving door of justice must end. We need to hold criminals accountable for their actions and ensure that they face the consequences of their crimes.
I’m proud to be endorsed by the Connecticut Fraternal Order of Police and the Police Association of Connecticut. These organizations represent thousands of police officers across our state; officers who put their lives on the line every single day to protect our communities. Their endorsement reflects my deep commitment to public safety and my determination to restore law and order in Connecticut.
As your voice in Hartford, I will work to roll back policies that prevent our police officers from doing their jobs. We need to create harsher penalties for car thefts and street takeovers, while also working with community leaders to provide more resources to parents and our youth.
Above all, we need to feel safe in our homes and communities. I am the only candidate with the experience necessary to tackle the crime problem in our state, and I will make it my absolute priority to restore safety to our neighborhoods.
This upcoming election is critical. With state Rep. Charles Ferraro retiring, we need someone with the experience and proven ability to find bipartisan solutions to the pressing issues facing our state. I am honored to have Ferraro’s endorsement, and I am committed to continuing his legacy of effective leadership. As your representative, I will work tirelessly to be an active and vocal advocate for our communities, ensuring that your concerns are heard and addressed. Together, we can make Connecticut a more affordable, safer, and stronger place for everyone. I humbly ask for your vote this November so we can get to work for a better future.