Pointed Questions For Gubernatorial Candidates

Republican Robert Stefanowski refused to participate in Wednesday’s first gubernatorial debate of the general election at the University of Saint Joseph. Voters will have to wait until Sept. 12 to hear Stefanowski, together with Democrat Ned Lamont, who joined first debate with independent candidate Oz Griebel, explain his hopes and dreams for Connecticut when they meet in a New London debate.

Here are questions I would ask. Gentlemen, how would you balance the $4.6 billion budget deficit Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will be leaving for you? Please be specific — and don’t tell us it’s just a matter of getting everyone around a table. Can it be done without raising taxes? Can it be done by lowering taxes? Why is Massachusetts thriving while Connecticut continues to decline?

Candidates for governor in the general election have in the past released summaries of their income taxes. When will you be releasing yours?

Many Connecticut businesses thrive by engaging in international trade. What does President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war mean for our state’s economy?

Mr. Stefanowski, you said recently that you oppose the minimum wage. What do you think Connecticut workers now being paid the minimum wage would make per hour without it? Mr. Lamont, you want to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. What would that do to the job prospects of young workers with no experience?

Consumers in Connecticut pay among the highest electricity rates in the nation. In 2010, Gov. Malloy pledged to reduce them and has failed. Any ideas on how to do better?

What does DMHAS stand for? What responsibility do drug companies bear for the opioid crisis?

Tell us what you think of state government’s bailout of Hartford’s finances. Do you want to make changes in the deal?

The University of Connecticut’s hospital in Farmington has been a drag on the state budget for decades; would you support selling it to or merging it with another hospital? Should it be closed? You have both been in business; what can be done to improve that hospital’s finances? Does Connecticut have too many hospital beds?

Gov. Malloy proposed and the legislature enacted significant changes that reduced the number of criminal defendants who have a bond set while their charges are pending. Is the program working? What changes would you make? Are we meeting our obligation to provide health care to inmates? Do you believe we live in a just society?

Does the Department of Children and Families employ a sufficient number of caseworkers to protect children from abuse and neglect? What qualities and experience would you look for in a new commissioner?

Should the new president of the University of Connecticut have experience in academia? Has Susan Herbst’s tenure been a success? Was the legislature correct to change the state’s ethics laws to allow UConn to hire the son of its football coach?

Do you agree with the state Supreme Court’s education funding decision? How much should Connecticut spend per pupil per year to provide public school students with a quality education? What does it spend now? How should that money be collected? What makes a successful school? How do we measure success?

How you will you deal with Connecticut’s approaching demographic crunch? Should the state require towns with declining enrollment to merge their school system with neighboring communities? Would you propose changes in the state’s school construction formula?

How should we pay for improvements in transportation? Do you support Susan Bysiewicz’s proposal to raise $3 billion a year in tolls for 20 years? What projects are most important? Should Fairfield County receive the most transportation aid? Do you support U.S. Rep. John Larson’s proposal to build a tunnel under the Connecticut River?

Mr. Stefanowski, what did you learn about adversity running a company that operates payday lending stores and pawn shops? Mr. Lamont, you had trouble in a debate earlier this year explaining why you ended your membership in a lily white Greenwich country club. Care to give it one more try?

You are each campaigning on themes of change. Mr. Lamont, what have you done since 2011 to persuade Gov. Malloy that policies he was pursuing would not revive Connecticut’s economy? Mr. Stefanowski, you didn’t vote for 16 years in a row, including the last four races for governor. Why should anyone bother to vote this year?