Candidates share views on children and families

Effects of pandemic increasing stress, worsening inequities, they say

MIDDLETOWN — Middlesex County legislative candidates and incumbents seeking reelection gathered Thursday morning to take part in a virtual panel addressing issues facing the state’s children and families, some of which have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Middletown-based Middlesex Coalition for Children’s annual candidate forum, moderated by Executive Director Izzi Greenberg, addressed equity in Connecticut’s education system, loss of early childhood care due to effects of COVID-19, juvenile justice, youth health and support for families struggling financially.

Participants included state Sen. Mary Daughtery Abrams, D-Meriden, whose seat is being challenged by former state Sen. Len Suzio, a Meriden Republican; Brandon Chafee of Middletown, a Democrat, and Republican Linda Szynkowicz, both vying for the 33rd House District; state Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, who represents the 9th District, running against Rocky Hill Republican Rich Ruglio, who wasn’t in attendance; state Rep. Christine Palm,

D-Chester, of the 36th District, being challenged by Haddam Republican Robert Siegrist, who didn’t appear and formerly held the seat; state Rep. Quentin Phipps, D-Middletown, of the 100th District, being challenged by Republican Middletown Councilman Tony Gennaro, who did not attend.

Suzio said a major issue facing families in Connecticut is that more than 20 percent of families are headed by a single parent. “It’s a real challenge to raise children today, even when you have two parents. With one parent, it’s extremely difficult.”

One question addressed the fact that 30 percent of the state’s early care programs have closed during the COVID-19 outbreak. Each candidate was asked their ideas on supporting the early childhood care sector.

Abrams said she has spoken with many parents who have been forced to place their children in a series of day care centers, or have run through multiple private care workers. “It’s been a real problem. We have to put our money toward making sure our children are taken care of through this pandemic, so parents can go about their jobs, and continue keeping the economy going.”

“Unfortunately, it looks like the pandemic isn’t going away anytime soon, and the state has a responsibility to step in and help,” Chafee said. He would like to see the state buy personal protective equipment in bulk and distribute it to child care centers, or other supportive measures.

“The pandemic has exposed fundamental fissures in so many of our systems, and they all affect children — from the climate chaos to unaffordable housing to the rise in domestic violence,” said Palm, who is seeking more equitable tax reform.

Lesser said health care coverage is a major concern among his constituency. “This has been a tough time for everyone, but it’s been a particularly uninsured crisis. As people lose their jobs, it creates a cascade of issues,” he said.

“This pandemic illuminated a lot of the inequities that we have been talking about for years. You have to be in blatant denial to deny these inequities exist,” Phipps said.

Szynkowicz, formerly a four-year member of the Middletown Board of Education, said she saved taxpayers more than $1 million annually during her term by forcing bids to go to the public. “I was a voice standing up for things I didn’t feel was right.”