Needleman again in 33rd
Itis unusual for a freshman state senator to be thrust into the center of one of the biggest issues facing the state, but that is where Norm Needleman, as chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, found himself a few weeks ago.
Electric customers were upset with the slow response of Eversource following Tropical Storm Isaias in August, some areas left without electricity for nine days. In response, the 33rd District Democrat dove deep into the details of utility regulation, sought the advice of the leadership of both parties, then pushed through the committee a bill presented to a special session of the legislature.
The result was overwhelming approval in the House, unanimous consent in the Senate. The law will provide residential consumers up to $250 in compensation for spoiled food or medicine due to outages stretching more than four days, along with $25 daily credits in such circumstances. More importantly, it ties rate increase requests to performance.
But perhaps we should not be surprised. Needleman, 69, may be a Senate freshman, but he is no novice. He has served as Essex first selectman for a decade. He founded and remains the chief operating officer of Tower Laboratories, which manufactures personal care products.
Needleman takes no compensation for his Senate job. He is a public servant in the true spirit of the title.
Challenger Brendan Saunders describes himself as a Reagan Republican, but his agenda sounds supply-side outdated.
Needleman is more 21st century. He has aggressively pushed expansion of the renewable energy sector knowing that it not only makes sense from a climatological perspective but is vital to secure Connecticut’s energy future.
In his second term, he would work to improve the state’s business climate — including expanding Enterprise and Opportunity Zones and increasing technical training.
Connecticut, he argues, must better market the state’s assets, including its small and varied communities, good schools, diverse natural resources and recreational opportunities.
Needleman argues, correctly, that the state can be pro-business and pro-worker, assuring a living wage and paid family leave.
He does not shy from including tolls in a discussion of how the state rebuilds its transportation system.
Needleman supported the police accountability bill but is open to revisiting and improving, if necessary, segments that could make it tougher for good cops to do their jobs effectively.
His is a positive vision, tempered by the realities of the challenges the state faces.
We urge Needleman’s re-election in the district that serves Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.