Fazio would serve with passion
With just a few weeks before the election, political campaigns are intensifying both nationally and locally. Sadly, the messaging in many of these campaigns is rapidly becoming more vitriolic, partisan and cringe-worthy. With all the noise out there, it’s hard to hear much of value. Fortunately, we have a candidate who stands above it all and is a gentleman possessing the qualities to be a superior state senator without anger and without an agenda other than improving your daily lives. Ryan Fazio is passionate about the opportunity to serve you with dignity, respect, responsiveness and intelligence.
As many of you know, Icy and I love Greenwich, and there is a lot to love. We grew up here, raised our children here and plan to stay the rest of our lives. We have chosen to live here for many of the reasons you have as well, such as Greenwich Point, the town’s proximity to New York City, safe streets, great schools, terrific police and a very strong and giving community. I have to say that, well before the beginning of COVID-19, it has been alarming to see the number of empty store
fronts, state unemployment numbers, and a shrinking state economy. We are discouraged by the ever-worsening tax and regulatory environments and the number of major taxpayers leaving Connecticut long before the pandemic started.
In the last 10 years, we have endured two of the largest tax increases in the history of the state. On a per capita basis, we are among the states with the highest tax burden, highest bonded indebtedness and highest unfunded liabilities. We are ranked No. 47 out of the 50 states for a poor business climate. Considering where Connecticut used to be in the rankings decades ago in all important categories, the record has been dismal.
Thankfully, the bipartisan budget in 2018 included a volatility cap that required excess capital gains revenue to go into the rainyday fund, which our governor is now using to combat a substantial deficit. That account will not last forever, so the question is what does our fiscal future look like? Our current state senator, proposed implementing a highway toll system, which would have been, in effect, another tax on you since you have already paid your fair share in taxes to the Special Transportation Fund. Fortunately, the idea was very poorly received and died. She raised taxes $660 on the average family in the 36th Senate District through a payroll tax. What we don’t need now are any other new taxes or higher tax rates. What we do need now is reform. We need to make state government much more cost effective and much more welcoming to businesses considering a move here.
We are blessed to have such a strong and effective police force. At a time when candidates’ signs are everywhere, it is encouraging to see the large number of lawn signs in support of our local police. The Police Accountability bill, enthusiastically supported by our current state senator, is flawed. While there are many good parts to the bill, the elimination of qualified immunity in Connecticut means a police officer can be individually sued in the courts if they acted in a “willful, wanton or reckless manner” with no guidance given on what “willful” actually means. As a consequence, early retirements of police officers have been massive and are getting worse as they discover how bad this new law is for them. We need reforms that support, not penalize our excellent police.
COVID-19 has been a challenge to Greenwich, the state and the country. We are indebted to our health care providers, first-responders and our hospitals, who have managed the pandemic well. One of the biggest challenges in the spring was the pivot to remote learning. It was difficult for teachers, our working parents and for our kids. Our local Board of Education and our superintendent, Toni Jones, worked tirelessly to assure a safe return to school this fall. Acting independently, on Aug. 14 our state senator signed a letter encouraging the governor to keep all schools closed. She did not consult our local professionals. She did not take into consideration the implications for our working parents or what might be the best plan of action given the community’s lower infection rate.
The work in Hartford is hard. Now more than ever, we need leaders who will support our community and work with us to assure affordability for all citizens, safe streets and the best educational opportunities for our children. Indeed there is a lot of noise out there. Icy and I will support Ryan Fazio on Nov. 3 because he is just the kind of leader we need — smart, caring, responsive and very passionate.
Greenwich resident L. Scott Frantz served as a state senator in the 36th district (all of Greenwich and parts of Stamford and New Canaan) from 2008-18.