Stephanie THOMAS on the Issues

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Statements issued by surrogates of area Republican candidates seem to imply that I would be in favor of forced school regionalization and statewide zoning reform.  I won't guess at the motive, but  I would like to set the record straight so I can focus my time on speaking with voters and serving our community.

On Zoning - local control is best. There is too much variety across our state and even within one town for a one-size-fits-all approach.  But, let's not end the sentence there.  Plenty of people need diversified housing stock (seniors, young people, recently divorced, small business owners) and our community is already working to address this issue.  Land use training for P&Z volunteers is one role that could be very useful for all towns.  Let's get proactive instead of reactive.

On School Regionalization - Many Democrats in Hartford spoke up and defeated the regionalization bills proposed in 2019 for many good reasons.  I wasn't elected in Hartford, but I certainly attended the community meetings and agreed that the proposals didn't work.  I am a supporter of what many call back office cost savings.  These types of programs are happening now and should continue.

We need to ensure that our healthcare is accessible and affordable -- in times of crisis and always. Stephanie supports:

• Ensuring that insurance companies keep good on their promises to waive coronavirus-related cost sharing and support laws that mandate this if necessary
• A public option and caps on prescription drug prices would ensure that our healthcare stays affordable long term for small businesses, nonprofits and individuals
• Policies that eliminate the stigma and coverage gap around mental health, as our society deals with the mental effects of limited in-person interaction and fear during the pandemic

Our policies need to go further than what is currently being offered by the state and federal government in providing relief to ensure small businesses and nonprofits survive the COVID-19 crisis. Stephanie supports: 

• Unprecedented federal loans and stimulus money for our businesses and affected employees
• Investment in solutions for business such as the Shared Work Program until we get back on our feet
• Working with AdvanceCT to engage, retain and recruit businesses here, partnering with business, government and nonprofits.

Connecticut needs changes that both improve our democratic process and help mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak by allowing voters to participate in the process without exposure to others. Stephanie supports: 

• Automatic Voter Registration, a non-partisan way of removing barriers to voter registration that also saves the state money.
• Systems that will make it easier for residents to vote such as no-excuse absentee ballots, online requests for absentee ballots, early voting, and expanded vote by mail. 

This is one area that we cannot get wrong. The future depends on it. Our natural resources in the state are one of the best things about living here and should be protected. Stephanie supports:

• The inclusion of climate change instruction in the public school curriculum.
• Legislative actions that promote renewable energy and clean energy incentives and projects.
• Restricting the building of any new gas fired power plants and gas pipelines.
• Initiatives to reduce emissions, including exploration of a carbon tax.
• Protection of funding secured for the Connecticut Green Bank, Energy Efficiency Fund, and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
• Preservation of open spaces.  

We need gun laws that expand upon the work of activists and legislators to make Connecticut an even safer place. Stephanie supports:

• Modernizing Connecticut’s “first in the nation” red flag laws to incorporate policies from other states such as expanding who can ask a court for a “risk warrant” to include psychologists and family members. 

We need 21st century transportation to have a 21st century economy. Stephanie supports:

• Further investment in trains that run on time and improved infrastructure to attract and retain businesses.
• Shoring up our transportation network, from bike paths to micro-transit to sidewalks, to create more easily navigated towns and cities for our seniors and young people alike.
• Programs that mitigate our impact on the environment.

A highly rated school system is still one of the strongest draws for new residents to our towns. We need to plan to make sure our schools are preparing students for the future and not getting left behind. Stephanie supports:

• Expanded curriculum and elective training to prepare for our students for the modern workforce
• Legislation that prevents altering the cost sharing formula during the fiscal year.